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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84 chuqui version 1.7 9/23/84; site nsc.UUCP
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From: chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Cheshire Chuqui)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Harlan Ellison
Message-ID: <1867@nsc.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 18-Nov-84 17:48:11 EST
Article-I.D.: nsc.1867
Posted: Sun Nov 18 17:48:11 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Nov-84 03:37:20 EST
References: <>
Reply-To: chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Cheshire Chuqui)
Distribution: net
Organization: The Bistro
Lines: 46
Summary: 

In article <630@ames.UUCP> barry@ames.UUCP (Kenn Barry) writes:
>[]
>
>	I have a question: a number of people have mentioned a "writer's
>block" in connection with Ellison's delays getting LAST DANGEROUS VISIONS
>to the publishers. 

The article I used as a basis for my comments is from Locus #283. The
following excerpts should clarify things:

[from Harlan Ellison, Back From the Depths; Locus #283, used without permission]

Harlan Ellison, after 10 years of massive writer's block, is working again
and finally finishing old projects, thanks to a little help from his
friends.

"When I turned forty, something happened to my metabolism. I have always
had a peculiar metabolism-- I don't use drugs or drink because I can't. Ten
years ago I took on major projects: The Last Dangerous Visions, The Harlan
Ellison Hornbook, and a lot of other books that haven't come out. I was
only halfway through when the trouble worsened."

Ellison developed uncontrollable rages, leg tremors at night, insomnia,
memory loss, lack of sex drive, and trouble concentrating. Although he was
still able to crank out the occasional short story, his other projects all
came to a halt. 

Finally he read an article in New York magazine on Endogenous Depression.
Unlike emotional depression, which results from outside causes, this is due
to a biochemical imbalance. 

Five years of specialists, tests, drugs, and $30,000 later, they decided
his illness was unique and incurable. 

"I am still sick, but now when I feel the lassitude I slap my face to get
the adrenalin going and work up my anger. I am working every day."


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