SOURCE: "Style and Manner," in Irvin S. Cobb: His Life and Letters, Rodale Press, 1938, pp. 183-99.

In the following essay, Neuman outlines Cobb's methods of writing.

Those who look upon the writing profession as an easy thing meet with little encouragement from Irvin S. Cobb. The famous scribe once said that he could write "a million words about a pin," but he did not indicate it would be an easy undertaking. Some persons gather from the remark that the only requirements for literary work are pencil and paper. He says it is a toilsome business and must be learned like any other profession.

"You would not expect to become a lawyer, a doctor or a painter without a good many years of study, both in broad fundamentals and in technique," he said in advising beginners to go at it seriously. "Professional writing is not one whit less difficult...