If Donald Murray Is Correct And All Writing Is Autobiography---

As a teacher of writing, Donald Murray takes the "write what you know" concept to another level, declaring that writers put themselves in their works. Hence his claim that all writing is autobiography. What you know is what you have experienced and those experiences color all of your prose.

In that case----is it any wonder that Minister for Justice Alan Shatter's once forgotten novel has been

resurrected for a second printing?

The plot involves some anonymous Teachta Dala engaging in an affair with his secretary. Granted, it was first published in 1989 when Mr. Shatter was a much younger man, but could it possibly be based on some actual experiences? Could someone interpret the literary obfuscations and masked identities to figure out who the secretary might have been?

For some reason, there is a new demand for the old book, so you know that someone must think there is truth to the whole autobiography possibility.

Consider what was labeled "steamy" in 1989 as compared to today. The prose is virtually tame by modern standards, so it isn't being read for fifty shades of sexual charades.

Of course there is always the possiblity that Mr. Shatter's political enemies will use the racier bits to try to embarrass him. It's not as if he wrote some action hero, political espionage and international intrigue work of fiction. He had to go and write what he knew, but how much did he actually know about a TD and secret trysts?

Although with the Magdalene laundry redress scandal running particularly hot these days, it's likely Mr. Shatter would welcome a change of subject, even it is potentially humiliating and a source of mockery.

An author needs a thick skin, after all, to deal with the critics. Not everyone will love your book.