December 31, 1933

The last of the old year and for once I am happy, a happiness born of having done some writiing. since school let on a little over a week ago, I have been continually at it. Not a day has gone by but what I have put in a few hours and some days have written steadily. Now I have two stories out, "En Roulant" and "The Supernatural Instinct" and last night I finished "Familiarity" which I think I will try in Scribner's. Finishing this last article has given me more peace than any of the others. I have a real sense of accomplishment and it is really good and should find a market. As I have so often said, if I can only keep on working continually at something, the days of boredom will be gone. Only through constant effort and creation am I at all happy.

During these vacation days, I have been trying out part of a dream, writing in the mornings as I would had I given up my job and hiking in the afternoon and it really is a pleasurable existence. The big thing is that constant effort means a good output. Instead of an article a month, it means an article or two a week. I notice too the added facility with which I write and the increased enthusiasm which is mine as I keep at it. Without practice, to approach an article is torture but with my mind away, it is fairly simple.

Tomorrow I am going to start a short outdoor story, a sequel to "Confessions of a Duck Hunter," and though I have only a general idea in mind, by Wednesday, I should have the thing fairly well whipped into shape. Then I will have four articles on the way, seeking a market, surely one of them will place somewhere.

Today we have a gang for dinner and had I not written, I would be miserable, but now I find that I can enjoy them with my mind at peace. All I need is a sense of accomplishment to drive away the misery that I have known so long. Even though I don't do very much, this work is giving me practice and sooner or later, I will land. Remember what Uzzell said, that I was on the verge of some very good sales.

I thought I would just jot down these random thoughts because sooner or later, I will be again in the mood for comfort and will need some bolstering.