Maintenant

"...As I explained to her later, my point of view when it comes to writing is writing all that you can; that reminded me of an anecdote Arthur Cravan wrote about Andre Gide:

By the time Cravan was giving his first steps as a writer (he published a magazine called "Maintenant" which costed around 25 cents and was sold on the street), he had the opportunity to visit Gide, who already was a well-known novelist. Cravan, of course, was young and poor but viewed himself as a genious; he would impress Gide with his words and manage to become his protege, alliance that would lead to a life of comfort and luxury. Cravan arrived to Gide's residence and was lead to the living room by a maid who told him monsieur Gide would be there in a moment. Cravan took his time to investigate the furniture and the decoration, which he judged as "poor", and imagined Gide spying him from a tiny secret hole in the tapestry. He reached a desk covered with papers that still smelled of ink and of course, he read them. Later, in the pages of Maintenant, he'd accuse him of "punishing prose".

During the meeting, Cravan declared he preferred box rather than Literature. Gide answered solemnly Literature was the only thing they could have in common. Cravan made three or four presumptuous statements along the afternoon that did not cause any special reaction on Gide. At six, Cravan left. He only saw Gide again one time on the street: Gide was standing on the door of a bookstore that -on Cravan's words- was actually a surgical supplies shop or a bakery. Gide didn't see him.

Cravan was taught a lesson -even if he was the last one to admit- and I, like Gide did, will continue punishing prose -and verse-; I feel spiritually commited to do so."