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#0606: Willa Cather to Henry Chester Tracy, June 22, 1922

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My dear Mr. Tracy1:

I am afraid I must take my stand beside Miss Gale5 and say that I don't know any way to write a story except to write it. That is, I don't think anybody has any business to write a story at all until the story "possesses" them - I think you said that was Miss Gale's word. And to my simple mind it seems that the habit of being possessed by stories is the main qualification of a story writer.

The generalizations you sent me are entirely over my head. To me, stories are concrete, simple and personal. The moment I try to analyze one, I kill it.

Cordially yours, Willa Sibert Cather Mr. Henry Chester Tracy, 2104 Highland Avenue, Hollywood, California3.
Mr. Henry Chester Tracy1, 2104 Highland Avenue, Hollywood, California3. NEW YORK, N.Y.STA.C2 JUN 25 1922 830 PM Willa Cather