From DAVID APPLIN
Jeff Hecht presumes that all those over 30 years old are uneasy with
keyboards, unable to type and have a particular view on the role of secretaries
(Forum, 21 March). He may be correct. Does he not realise the importance
of contemplation to the writer? The manipulation of ruler and pen to cross
out the infelicitous phrase, the sucking of the pen top, the ‘doodle’ in
the margin, all are part of the ‘brooding time’ J. B. Priestly deemed to
be essential components of the creative writing process.
David Applin Cambridge
