'Writing's only rule'

 

“Write what you like; there is no other rule.” – O. Henry

Known by his pen name, William Sydney Porter is arguably America’s greatest-ever short story writer.  Known for wit, wordplay, warm characterization and surprise endings, O. Henry’s works set the standard for generations of writers. 

 

Today, the O. Henry Award is a prestigious annual prize given for "exceptional" short stories published in American or Canadian periodicals.

Born in North Carolina on this date in 1862, Porter grew up in Texas and was on the road to success in a number of fields – trained in banking and pharmacy while simultaneously building a reputation as a writer for newspapers and magazines – when he got into trouble for alleged embezzlement from a bank at which he had been working.

While the charges were never proven, he nonetheless was arrested and in a panic, jumped bail and fled the country, living for a time in Central America where he began writing short stories and coined the term “Banana Republic.”   Drawn back to America when his wife developed a fatal illness, he was arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison.  While there he wrote many successful stories, published under various names to hide his identity.  One of those pen names was O. Henry.

Released early for good behavior, he began the most prolific part of his career, publishing dozens of best-selling stories and story collections and becoming one of America’s most well-known and beloved writers.  Among his most famous stories are The Gift of the Magi; The Last Leaf; The Ransom of Red Chief (where a kidnap victim is so horrible that the kidnappers end up paying his family to take him back); Caballero’s Way (introducing the world to the character The Cisco Kid); and Cabbages and Kings (where “Banana Republic” was introduced).

He died young (age 47) from liver disease but said he loved every minute of his life and work and coming up with another phrase that often is quoted in this and similar forms. 

 “When one loves one's art," he said, "no service seems too hard.”