how Gone With the Wind went from grocery list to library vault

Mitchell worked on the novel, which was originally to be called either "Tomorrow Is Another Day" or "Tote the Weary Load," in fits and starts from 1925 to 1935. She wrote on blank newsprint and composed the book out of order, beginning with the last chapter and picking up other sections as her mood suited her. The finished chapters she put in individual manila envelopes, sometimes with grocery lists scrawled on them, and stored in a closet. Very few people saw them or even knew what she was doing.

via nytimes.com

Delightful story about writing and publishing, whether you are a GWTW fan or not.

Filed under: Miscellany