Letters: Lonely garret and lost for words

Sunday 21 June 1998 00:02 BST

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I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Joan Smith (14 June) that writers do not get the financial recognition they deserve. I should like to point out an additional factor: that, unlike in other jobs, the writer never switches off; every thought and experience is relevant. The writing of synopses, research, and all the preparatory work is unpaid. Yet who among us counts the hours we spend involved in this? To qualify for financial help from the DSS, one must not be employed for more than 30 hours a week. That one rather cuts us off at the knees. Mustn't try too hard then.

Philippa Scott

London W11

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Letters: Lonely garret and lost for words

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