Comments on: I have no comment at this time.

By: Tamara Linse

Tamara Linse — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:51:03 +0000

The well-meaning “Oh, I have a book in my head too. All I have to do is write it!”

I know they mean well, I know they’re trying to connect, but the dismissive, “Oh, all I have to do is write it,” drives me bonkers!

By: Sari Webb

Sari Webb — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:41:50 +0000

Definitely the question: “When are you getting published?” Like it’s safe to assume it’s a done deal. Trying to explain the publishing industry to non writers/industry porfessionals can be painful.

By: Heather Bitzer

Heather Bitzer — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:20:20 +0000

I will answer with an assist from that literary genius, Stewie Griffin from Family Guy!

By: Tracy Jorgensen

Tracy Jorgensen — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:11:39 +0000

I know they mean well, but people ask some hard questions. Things like: How far have you gotten? (Which isn’t so bad in and of itself but it eventually leads to…) How much longer until its finished? Another doozy: Have you figured out the ending yet? (Yes! Yes, I have.)

One more interesting one: Where do you get your ideas? This one doesn’t seem so bad but the follow up conversation about how they want to write but have no ideas is awkward. You want to offer helpful advice, but the creative process is different for everyone.

And last, and certainly my favorite: When you’re published, can I have a free copy?

By: Sherri

Sherri — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:23:53 +0000

Apparently I exude the air of a published author, because people are always asking where they can buy my book. It’s awkward telling them I’m not published

By: Carolyn Jewel

Carolyn Jewel — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:13:45 +0000

1. In an email: Here’s the novel I’m writing. Would you read it and tell me what you think?

2. Oh. You write *those* books. (Romance) Those are terrible. (Yet if you ask if they’ve ever read a romance, the answer is always, no. So, how do they know? Often, when you ask about books they’ve read and enjoyed, what do you know? Some of them are romances.)

By: Ciara

Ciara — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:31:45 +0000

Yeah I get the “Oh I have this idea, you can have it if you want.” Right because I can’t think of my own ideas thanks. Or when people don’t understand the first thing about publishing. I mean there is no reason why they should but don’t talk about it like you do!!

By: Michael G-G

Michael G-G — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:25:19 +0000

Perhaps you should try writing short stories first?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:04:43 +0000

I get these after I tell people I like to write Christian science fiction and Christian fantasy.
“Oh, like Left Behind.”
“So it’s like Narnia?”

Sometimes, writers are the ones who ask me those questions. Even though I like to write Christian science fiction and fantasy, my stories are not like Narnia or Left Behind so it annoys me when people jump to conclusions.

By: Lisa Marie

Lisa Marie — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:53:07 +0000

Almost everyone I know thinks that I’m solely a business/finance/law writer. I avoid pesky questions by deferring to this:

“The first rule of writing a novel is don’t talk about writing a novel.”

— Me