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Friday

Dear Sherwood: What I think most appeals to you, is the fact of my writing that novel rather than the novel itself. Therein, to you, is the story.

I know it is full of holes -- lousy with defects from an artistic point of view as you say; but you know I did not do it primarily as a work of art but as a release -- just as I write on the second book today -- when I get a chance.

Not that I want to hide behind that excuse -- or make it an easy escape from criticism of its defects. Also I should be ashamed of a cheap satisfying pride that I had "done something" Never claimed that.

You remember that after you and I went over it at Julius's just before you started east, I went back and re-wrote about a third of it -- unraveling the story naturally, as you suggested. I rather the second handling, but Morrow took issue with it. He thought the first handling more logical. So did Don, who instanced the Wanda Stopa case in point.

But Sherwood -- the thing I prize most is -- whatever there is in that work that causes you to