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The Opening to "The Nine Tailors"

The Opening to “The Nine Tailors”

Probably because early pulp writers were paid by the word overwriting continues to be a pervasive weakness in commercial novels. It is not unusual for mystery writers to grind out 4000 words simply introducing the setting, the primary characters, the crime to be solved – all the basic who, what, why, when, and wheres. The best writers in every genre try to avoid many of the pit-falls. In The…

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#change-ringing #Dorothy Sayers #English #mystery #Peter Whimsy #writing craft review

"And have you a good set of ringers?" inquired Wimsey, politely.

"Very good indeed. Excellent fellows and most enthusiastic. That reminds me. I was about to say that we have arranged to ring the New Year in tonight with no less," said the Rector, emphatically, "no less than fifteen thousand, eight hundred and forty Kent Treble Bob Majors. What do you think of that? Not bad, eh?"

"Bless my heart!" said Wimsey. "Fifteen thousand--"

"Eight hundred and forty," said the Rector.

Wimsey made a rapid calculation.

"A good many hours' work there."

"Nine hours," said the Rector, with relish.

--Dorothy L. Sayers, The Nine Tailors, "The First Course: The Bells are Rung Up," 1934.

And here's the notation, if you can read it:

(x)

#dorothy l. sayers #lord peter wimsey #the nine tailors #change-ringing #kent treble bob major #mr. venables #media post