Irving Slowly Writes His First Novel Since 'Garp'

John Irving, a best-selling novelist, read the fifth chapter of his fifth novel, "The Hotel New Hampshire," to a crowd of about 150 at Adams House last night.

Apologizing for a cold, he quoted a friend who once told him that "perhaps I read best when I was sick because my things were sick."

Antics

The new novel, which retains the fastpaced, colorful style of his fourth book, "The World According to Garp," relates the antics of the Berry family, their dead dob Sorrow, and the guests in their peculiar hotel. Irving said he hopes to finish it in a year, but he added that he writes very slowly.

"This is the first book I've written that I've felt under no time pressure to finish," he said at a reception after the reading. "I frequently start 200 pages into the novel, then work backward from the ending. I always begin with an epilogue and then struggle with the middle which usually comes slowly."

"Garp" was Irving's first success and he explained that his earlier books "suffered from relevancy" and were too caught up with the news. He continued writing, however, because he had nothing else to do, he said. "Some writers can entertain the possibility of doing something else. I don't have any other options," he added.

Nasty Habits

Irving said an experienced writer can point out beginners' bad habits, thus saving them time--a writer's principle adversary. "It takes time to get confidence in your writing voice, and once you do, the obstacle becomes your imagination," he added.

"Garp's" success surprised the 158pound former wrestler. "I never expected to have a popular book," Irving added.

Going Hollywood

Irving said he will not be involved in the production of the movie version of "Garp" now underway. He has excluded certain parts of the novel from use in the film, particularly the short stories attributed to Garp.

Irving likes to read from his most recent chapter-in-progress because "it's boring to read finished works--they're a dead issue. There's a different kind of self awareness that you get when you read to an audience than when you read to an old friend or your kids," he added.