>You have a degree in literature, don't you?

Not really. I have a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in
Philosophy, and a second Bachelor's in Sociology with a minor in Literature.

> I'm curious: to what
>extent has knowledge of literary *theory* (as opposed to having read
>widely) influenced/not influnced/been crucial for/been irrelevant to
>your writing?

Totally irrelevant. I find most literary theory dry, academic, and useless.
It's there to provide academicians a platform to stand on in trying to
interpret fiction, but at the other end of the keyboard, there's not a bit of
it that I've found useful (though obviously your mileage may vary).

I've always encouraged fledgling writers that if they want to actually *work*
as writers they should get a degree in ANYthing other than literature.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
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