Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden LettersEach working day from January 29 to November 1, 1951, John Steinbeck warmed up to the work of writing East of Eden with a letter to the late Pascal Covici, his friend and editor at The Viking Press. It was his way, he said, of "getting my mental arm in shape to pitch a good game."
Steinbeck's letters were written on the left-hand pages of a notebook in which the facing pages would be filled with the test of East of Eden. They touched on many subjects—story arguments, trial flights of workmanship, concern for his sons. Part autobiography, part writer's workshop, these letters offer an illuminating perspective on Steinbeck's creative process, and a fascinating glimpse of Steinbeck, the private man. |
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Adam afternoon anyway beautiful believe better boys Cain and Abel Cathy chapter coming Covici crazy dawdling day's Dessie early early today East of Eden Elaine everything feel finish Friday glad go back goes going to try gone Grapes of Wrath guess Hamilton hard hate hell hope important John Steinbeck Juan Negrin keep kind last night last week lives long book look March March 27 mean mind Monday morning move never novel Pascal Covici pencil perhaps pretty probably reader ready reason remember rhythm sadness Salinas Valley Samuel Saturday scene Sea of Cortez seems sense sleep slow sometimes started Steinbeck stop story strange sure talk tell There's thing thought Thursday tired today's Tom Hamilton tomorrow tonight Trask Tuesday Waverly Wednesday week end week's whole wonder words worry write yesterday