—THE EDITOR.
ON ALLOWING THE EDITOR TO SHOP EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS
Counsel to a Literary Aspirant who Wishes to Enrich the Yuletide
Dear Chalmers:
For years you have made no secret of the fact that you were studying Editors,—root and branch, genus and specimens. I know that you have diagnosed and pondered their little infamies, one by one. I know that you have pored over gossip of their habits and wiles—as chronicled by Sunday newspaper articles. I think I am not exaggerating when I surmise that you feel you know the tribe—analytically speaking—through and through.
And yet—and yet—you confessed to me not more than a month ago, with chagrin in your voice, that you have never dared attempt a Christmas story. Frankly, my friend, I was, and still am, surprised. You have been successful in more difficult things, yet you balk at a mere Christmas tale. I’ve thought about it so much that I am finally taking the liberty of sending you this letter, which you may, if you choose, regard as a monograph on “How to Write a Christmas Story.” As I have just sold my ninety-eighth tale of Christmas, I think you will allow that my counsel deserves some consideration.
First of all: be kind to the editor. Don’t put off sending him your story till the eleventh hour; but give him his chance to shop early. It is not his fault that his Christmas purchases have to be made before Labor Day. Therefore be considerate.