The formula for genius
Einstein Edison said that genius was composed of 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration, and it seems that Paul Johnson agrees, at least in relation to Jane Austen. A review of his book Creators in the Wall Street Journal quotes part of Mr. Johnson’s assessment of Jane Austen.
Austen had no demon. There is no magic about her novels…. They can be explained. They are the discernible result of huge natural talent, honed, improved, and made superlative by ‘much labour’ (as she put it), experience, and self-restraint.
Sounds about right to us. 
Thanks to Alert Janeites Marion and Susan for writing to us (separately) and sending the quotation from the review, which is only available to WSJ subscribers.
EDITED because we confused our geniuses (though we are never confused about Jane Austen!)
March 21st, 2006 at 11:53 am
Can we forward this to the filmmakers of “Becoming Jane”?
I think it’s a fabulous quote, especially having just reread some of the Juvenilia. You can see exactly how she “became Jane” and it has nothing to do with Mr. Lefroy.
March 24th, 2006 at 1:44 am
And you’re assuming the filmmakers would care about the real, non-romantic story of Jane?