A famous novelist emotionally manipulates a young artist in order to write about him and inadvertently causes the artist to commit suicide.

An unemployed writer receives a Christmas card from a woman he knew briefly three years ago - the unexpected overture triggers him into sending a torrent of letters filled with confessions of love and declarations of indifference.

A struggling writer finally completes his novel, only to have his original voice corrupted by the demands of his publisher. His supportive family cannot understand why he is unhappy with his success - but after a tragic accident leads to his death, they find solace in the remnants of his work.