The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 25, 1974, Page page 13, Image 13
m-. .. , ,y W I - 1 -4 . Leggett presents studies of authors Writing is a dangerous business. Sherwinj Coiy, In his Art of Writing and Speaking the! English Language, (1903), warns would-be authors: j'Thej man who devotes himself exclusively to literature is almost sure to become more or less morbic , ard we venture to assert that the successful novelist of today who lives by his' pen has . . . a constant fight against morbidity, and one in which he is not always successful." . . In Ross and Tom, John Leggett present:, derailed studies of two authors who fought such a fight and lost both committed suicide after achieving fantastic success with their first novels. j Ross Lockridge (1914-1948) achieved fanu wlih his first and only novel, Rain tree County, published in 1948. it was highly acclaimed by critics and won an MGM contest which netted Lockridge nWej than $122,000. The day before his book reabhed the number one position on the New Yotjk Herald Tribune's bestseller list, Lockridge killed himself by sitting in a running car in a closed garage. j Tom Heaaen (1920-1949) also earned instant with the publication of Mister Roberts Heaaen co-authored the Dlav of the same name at the time of his bathtub drowning (he had overdose of barbiturates), he was earning week from the book and the play, whidh smash hit on Broadway. lodd peterseq j1946. , and, taken an $11,1000 a was a I vv wWi I 111 lifters Why did two successful and promising wi riters take to be is he iwriter smothered in a their own lives when they apparently had much happy about and look forward to? Leggett says that both Lockridge and Heggen were unable to! write after their first efforts had succeeded and he blames this on the ohenomenon he calls the ."bitch goddess.' The bitch goddess, Leggett says, spoiled by success, his need to surfeit of reward." - 1 Of course, the two authors had problems other than success. Both, thouah surrounded by people, were lonely men, as writers tend to be. Both were terrifically egotistical, which a successful writer! must be. Heggen was an alcoholic and depfended on barbiturates to get him through the long days and the even longer nights. Though Lockridge drank little and used no drugs, he was plagued by worses about how his family would react to his book, which was based on the history of his ancestors' exploits In Indiana. j No one will ever know exactly why Lockridge and Heggen did what they did, but Leggett explains their lives as best he can, and for anyone interested in writing or writers, Ross and Tom will prove to ibe an engaging, though depressing book. j Leggett comes closest to explaining the sqicides in the introduction: "Perhaps success ha j brought them to some promontory from which they coujd see the whole of their path and from there they hadimade this appalling comment about it." j Some writers struggle all, their live 5 tij) get published. They survive endless nights of doubt, guilt and depression. While they suffer greatly,) most endure. But, as the examples of Ross Lockridge and Tom Heaaen Drove, when a writer achieves, the surrpss he has alwavs dreamed about, ha must not success syndrome for his sweet success will then be cruelly soured. i Shearina Quintet will perform foi - ' Community Concert members By David Ware A master of modern jazz will appear this evening at Pershing Auditorium at 8 p.m. when the George Shearing Quintet performs for members of the Lincoln Community Concert Assoc. The Quintet features the world-famous pianist ac companied by four musicians on guitar, string bass, drums and vibraphone. , Shearing was born blind in London 55 years ago and began supporting his parents while still a teenager. Recogniz ing early the need for a distinctive musical trademark, he developed his singular style, utilizing chords in place of single notes to carry the melodic line in 1949, with a newly-formed quintet, ho recorded "September in the Ram, which sold more than 900,000 copies, a remarkable sales record for that time. Looking back on the time of his major Wednesday, September 25, 1974 3 success. Shearina said - in a I recent interview. "Our style was accidental, prompted by the desire to Iplay some good music. .After the initial'accident of the quintetand I realized what a popular accident it could beebme I did everything I could to nurture it." The result of Shearing's "Nurturing" has been the popularization . of the "Shearing Sound," accompanied by accolades from critics the world over, as well as by gratifying record1 sales fiqures. j j Shearing devotes his summers to the teaching of jazz techniques and arrangement at the Univers ty of Utah jazz workshop and at the Chautauqua Institution in. Chautauqua, NjY j The concert is open exclusively to holders of valid Lincoln Community Concert ASSOC. meinuerwiijj uaru. ' ,. Serving Steaks. Pr ime Rib and i P" : Sandwiches nightly. .Thursday , y f ' " " night special on Prime Rib q I large cut $3.95 small cut $2.25 upstairs enjoy excellent cocktails, wines or a j beer in a quiet relaxed atmosphere. STOP in for lunch or dinner Enjoy our Sangria! 1 DRINK This and DANCE to live entertainment. week enjoy in the Dragons Den open 1 1 a.m. -1 a.m. 1023 'O' 1 i ' tM vr ; A( ' j ' i (Stuartj SHOWS AT I JO 3 30 (.) in FVOU LIKED I Mill AS MON'X;- BI.A?l',0 '-.ADDIES YOUIL iCVf h'i' AS W.i.ff BILLY IN THI A i l'JH-' BOGGS It? itr STfc-.ir" n tj it rJ F' r. r, A SElE tSLlSMli El via y it v AN AMERICAN COMEDY m cot Ol . DftUXf :fifih RiiJuflv Sc-oll M;K'Kcitic Uillic ! Sms;iii Dcnbof f r A 1 1 IW JS) iii itikt mnirrn plus special guest il,LVin DnilUf IN CONCERT Thursday Oct. 3rd 8 p.m. at Pershing Auditorium. Tickets $5.00 in Advance and $0 00 at the door. Tickets available at the Union South' desk, Dirt Cheap, Brandies. Miller & Paine, The Daisy, and ershinq Box office. ' tin Documentary ritmo ; . ., - 1 ! 'A , ( l1 3t I j-'v J W. I 1 Si ' J J AM.' I -H. ANAISNIN OBSERVED A fiirn portrait of a woman as artist Directed by Robert Snyder plus a short feature ANTON CHEKHOV: A WRITER'S LIFE ; Narrated by Wallach Today at 3, 7,9 p.m. Admission $1.25 Sheldon Art Gallery 12th&'R'St. page 13