Lesser-Known Facts About Lost Manuscripts of Popular Writers

Throughout history, many famous writers have faced the heart-wrenching experience of losing their work. This loss can be devastating, yet it often serves as a catalyst for continued creativity. Here are some lesser-known stories of how popular writers overcame unfortunate incidents that threatened to end their literary careers.

Ernest Hemingway: The Carbons Quest

Ernest Hemingway was no stranger to the loss of his early drafts. One poignant example involves a suitcase stolen from his wife Hadley’s train from Paris to Lausanne. Nearly every copy of his early fiction was in that suitcase, which was taken. Hemingway was left in a frantic search for carbons, but none could be found. Faced with the loss of his work, Hemingway did not falter. Surprisingly, he developed a belief that losing his amateurish early efforts made him a better writer. Hemingway’s persistence and resilience played a significant role in his eventual success. The fear of losing manuscripts did not prevent him from continuing to write new ones, and his subsequent works have become classics.

Gail Godwin: The Early Struggles

Gail Godwin had a similarly harrowing experience when she sent an early novel to a London publisher on a slip of paper that turned out to be a worthless address. The manuscript was returned to her unopened, and the only copy was lost. Godwin continued to write, and despite the setbacks, her works have left an indelible mark in literary circles.

Maxine Hong Kingston: The Oakland Fires

Maxine Hong Kingston lost a crucial piece of her literary history when a computer disk containing a draft of her book was consumed in the Oakland fires of 1991. This loss was devastating but did not quash her resolve. Kingston continued to persevere with new drafts and revisions.

John Steinbeck: The Bite of Toby

John Steinbeck’s love for his dog Toby and the discomfort the dog caused were not the only sources of joy in his life. A lesser-known story involves an early draft of Of Mice and Men that Toby had partially chewed. Despite this, Steinbeck did not let the mishap deter him. He continued to write and produced influential works that have stood the test of time.

T. E. Lawrence: Lost and Found

Ownership of a manuscript can be both a blessing and a curse. T. E. Lawrence’s notable loss involves leaving his first draft of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom in a train station. Rather than feeling devastated, Lawrence celebrated his good fortune. He had already destroyed the notes on which it was based. However, he eventually opted to rewrite the now classic book, demonstrating the power of rewriting and resilience.

Thomas Carlyle: The Schoolboy’s Tale

Thomas Carlyle’s manuscript of the first volume of The French Revolution met with a fateful end when it was mistaken for wastepaper by a servant. This mistake turned Carlyle’s manuscript into a parable. When he told John Stuart Mill about the incident, the master quipped, “No boy, you must go and write it better.” Carlyle, facing the loss, wrote to his brother about his feelings, comparing himself to a schoolboy who had to rewrite his copy after showing it to the teacher. The story emphasizes the resilience of great writers in the face of such setbacks.

Throughout history, many famous writers have dealt with the loss of their work. These stories demonstrate the profound impact of perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to overcome personal and creative challenges. Even in the face of catastrophe, these writers’ spirits were not broken, and their works continue to inspire and captivate readers today.