Dear Vicky,
I am delighted that you took the time to send me your comments. You might be surprised at how rarely I hear from readers. I am personally astonished that you purchased the book, as I suspected the only copy would be bought by my extremely supportive mother.
In response to your question, I find inspiration in strange places. The story "Knotwood", for example, came to me while I was cleaning out my fridge. It's impossible to say how ideas come to me. Sometimes, it feels like a tap is turned on in my mind, and all I have to do is catch what flows.
Maybe I will try poetry, next.
Outside, the light is fading and the snow has begun to fall. What is the weather doing, where you are? I'm afraid I've never visited that end of the world, though I've always wanted to.
Thank you for your comments. Please feel free to ask any further questions, as fan-mail is new to me.
Sincerely,
Jacob Robbins
*****
Dear Victoria,
No offense taken. I know how you feel; my school days saw me as 'Jake'. It was 'Jake', all the time. I sometimes wonder if that's what drew me to publishing my stories, since authors are only called by whatever name is on the cover. C. S. Lewis is never called anything but C. S. Lewis, as though initials were a full name.
I wish you luck with your own ventures into the world of published works. I will watch the poetry shelves with great anticipation. I love poetry, but do not claim to understand it. Perhaps it isn't meant to be understood. In fact, poetry may be the only writing where coherence can be meaningless.
Except for James Joyce, and he doesn't count. He never counts.
I am also envious of your sunny weather. Please send some at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Jacob Robbins
*****
Dear Victoria,
I must say, I am surprised at your interest, not only in my work, but in me.
Yes, I have toyed with the idea that my writing has been divinely, or fantastically bestowed upon me. I used to believe it quite fervently, in my younger days. Now I'm not so sure. I think I currently believe that 'gifts' and 'talents' are handed out randomly, and not carefully selected by gods or faeries. I do, however, believe a little bit in both of these possible investors.
It's difficult to choose my favourite story, but at the moment I think it must be "Pearl". I find myself relating to the main character now, more than when I read it. Perhaps it's premonition, on my part. Or perhaps we all relate to someone who feels a little lost, a little alone, and a little unsatisfied - just enough to believe fleetingly in the ridiculous, and pursue a shadowy Holy Grail in the distance.
I think your talk of poetry must have inspired me.
Yours truly,
Jacob Robbins
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