"Self-discipline is the professional writer's primary need"
Typed Letter Signed ("Eric Ambler") to Westley S. Hartley, in response to the latter's question regarding the value of Ambler's education to him as a writer.
London: 1 November, 1957.
Price: $500.00
About the item
1-1/2 pp. 1 vols. 4to. "Self-discipline is the professional writer's primary need" Fine, with accompanying envelope.
Item #23704
Interesting letter from Ambler, in answer to the question, "How important to you was your high school education, and is college experience necessary for creative writing?"
Ambler points out that in England "there is no real equivalent of 'high school' education here ... At fifteen I won a scholarship to the University, and, for what it is worth, my own opinion is that this was absurd. I do not think that a boy is in a position to profit much from University life until he is at least eighteen." He expresses doubts about the possibility of educating for a literary career, but adds "I do think that any educational process which permits the student to work on his or here own without the obligation to fulfill set tasks is useful. Self-discipline is the professional writer's primary need."
"Of course, the only way to become a writer is by writing and then throwing away what one has written ... "
