"I had never thought of myself as a dramatist, and, for really good technical results, the thought came too late: a man of letters has become too wordy to write economically for the stage"

In this quote, Laurence Housman reflects on his identity and capabilities as an author, acknowledging the constraints he views in his capability to craft drama. Housman, known primarily as a man of letters, suggests that his skills and practices as a writer do not effortlessly equate to the succinct and economical nature of phase writing.

The phrase "I had never ever thought of myself as a dramatist" indicates Housman's self-awareness and possibly a particular humility. He admits that writing plays was not his initial calling or competence. This could suggest a late-career awareness or a personal journey into a brand-new category where he felt inexperienced.

The phrase "for actually great technical results, the idea came too late" further highlights this sense of belatedness. Here, Housman appears to express regret or recognition that, by the time he thought about composing for the stage, he might not have actually been able to establish the required abilities for developing compelling, technically skilled drama. This might indicate that the craft of playwriting demands a different set of methods than those he mastered as a literary writer, such as brevity, pacing, dialogue, and phase direction.

Housman's declaration "a man of letters has actually ended up being too long-winded to write financially for the phase" contrasts the nature of literary composing with that of drama. "Man of letters" describes somebody deeply took part in literary pursuits, frequently valuing abundant, elaborate language. In contrast, effective drama usually needs a more structured type of communication to convey feelings and actions promptly and clearly to an audience. The word "wordy" recommends a surplus or excess in his design, which may be at chances with the economy of expression required in a play.

Eventually, the quote records Housman's introspection on the adaptability of his composing style when transitioning between different literary types. It underscores the challenges authors might face when venturing outside their primary domain, highlighting the value of craft proficiency specific to each genre.