There are some questions most writers love to be asked. Others, not so much. Here’s a list of some questions that typically bring a smile to a writer’s face. (Such as, “Is there somewhere I can read your work?”) Other questions provoke an opposite response. (“How much money do you make?”)
As a writer, what question do YOU love–or hate–to be asked?
I get asked a very legitimate question: “So when do I get to read it?”
I’ve heard this question alot lately.
“How do I get published?”
It usually comes from someone who has already finished a book in a vacuum, without learning the craft of writing or attending classes/workshops, or reading craft books. They have a finished product & they’re looking for easy answers on getting it published traditionally. Their eyes glaze over when you share what can happen with rejections & how they should constantly improve their writing & put in the work. It’s like they’re surprised to hear how hard it is to write & get published. Even the work behind self-publishing & running a business loses their interest. (Write it and they will come.)
Maybe they want people to ask to read it, but then they may expect you to be their book doctor—huge can of worms.
I researched the publishing industry & genres selling before I began writing. I attended classes/workshops, got feedback from betas, attended conferences, read craft books, and kept writing. I submitted to national writing competitions & sent proposals to agents/editors. Writing is hard work but your passion to write will get you through the tough parts, unless you’re easily daunted & give up.
I hate it when people say, “When does the next book come out? You wait too long between releases.”
Because I can write a novel in one week, and of course my publisher will drop everything to squeeze my work into the production schedule.
Hmm. Sorry. That sounded pretty harsh.
What I meant to say was that novels take a long time to write, revise, and edit. And publishers have a lot more than one writer’s work to release. So, sorry about the time between releases, but it’s a time- and labor-intensive business.
That was more diplomatic, right?
Oh you wrote a book? Am I in it?
“Are you famous?”
Hint: If you have to ask, I think the answer is by definition no.
When I told a new friend that I’m a writer the response was, “Oh, that’s nice. Has any of your work been published?
Yes, it has:)
I always get this statement: I’ve always wanted to write a book! Or better yet, I’ve been thinking of writing a book… like it is an afterthought, and one of these days they will sit down and write a perfect book without studying the craft or knowing anything about it. All you have to do is sit down and type, right?
“Have I heard of you?” or “Have I read any of your books?”
As John said above, if they’re asking, the answer is a given (although one person who asked thought I might be someone famous but not using my real name.) Wrong there, too.