I've been a writer for as long as I can remember, but I thought I'd compile a little handy reference of some of the things that might not be the wisest choice of things to say to me, especially when I'm in the process of editing or obsessing about my book. It could end badly for both of us.
1. “You wrote a book? That’s so cool! I’d like to write a book someday.”
Anyone who says this clearly has no idea what writing a book even entails. It’s not just something you can wistfully consider sometime in the far off future. Writing a book is not easy. At all. It consumes your entire life. And it can be pretty frustrating that people don’t understand that, and think it’s something they could just do on a whim. As someone for whom writing literally IS my life, it's a bit annoying.
2. “Oh, what’s your book about?”
Okay, yeah, this might seem like a harmless question, but trust me, if you say this to a writer - at least a writer anything like myself - you’ve just opened the floodgates, my friend. Be prepared, because I will take any and every opportunity to talk about my book in any capacity. And you might be here a while.
3. “Do you want to be published?”
Nah, I just want to sit in my room as a hermit for my entire life in front of my computer and never share my stories and passion with the world.... Of course, I want to be published! That's the dream!
4. “Can I read it?”
This is always just such a loaded question, honestly. Generally, I am flattered and want to shove my book in everyone’s faces, but then at the same time, it’s a bit terrifying because I’m not sure if I REALLY want them to read it, because what if they just confirm what I’ve always thought: that I’m terrible…
5. “What do you write?”
This is just such a vague question that it’s always nearly impossible to answer. It could mean so many things, you’re just gonna have to be more specific if you really want to take an interest in my work.
The thing is, that as a writer, I’m very used to people asking me about my stuff, but not because they actually care, more just because they feel like it’s the polite thing to do. But let me tell you when people ask me about my stuff sincerely, I will literally love them forever. Or even better… read my book and then ask me about my characters and just talk to me about it. Then… I'm basically in heaven.
