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Michael Jacobson

Ophelia's Fan by Christine Balint & Always East by Michael Jacobson

by
October 2004, no. 265

First novels should be the hardest to write but, among writers, second novels have won that reputation. Second-novel syndrome can be identified by: obsessional mourning for the cocoon of anonymity; consuming self-doubt; chronic false starts; acute self-consciousness; the need for constant reassurance; and a low-level frustration brought on by mandatory participation in literary festivals.

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