#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

Yesterday, Twitter had a trending hashtag for writers all over the world. The hashtag was simply, "Ten Things Not To Say To A Writer."
Famous authors, Indie Authors, Self Pubs, and even journalists flooded the Twitter airwaves to add their comments. Some were hilarious. Some were so awful it was horrifying to think people actually said this to them. But to be honest, I never quite understood the big deal about some of these questions or comments until I myself began being asked. So I thought I would toss out a few insulting comments/questions that myself and other writers are faced with periodically. Some of these are from the Twitter responses yesterday, and some of them are actually my own. :) 
I also recommend searching the hashtag on Twitter and reading others' responses as well. It's a vent fest worth reading. haha.
And if you are ever faced with a writer, please be respectful of your questions and how you word them. We are rather sensitive folks sometimes. :)

10. Daniel Dalton @wordsbydan 
      "Oh you're a writer? My aunt's friend's gardener's plumber is a writer. You should ask them for some advice." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

9. Jennifer Estep @Jennifer_Estep
     "I don't read fantasy books. Only nonfiction. You know, "REAL" books." Newsflash-- they are all "REAL" books." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

8. Colleen Hoover @colleenhoover
    "You're a writer? Oh, I have a GREAT book idea!" (And then proceed to tell us your entire life story.) 
     #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

7. Shirley Mccann @ shirleymccann
    "I don't read fiction. I only read important things. (Actually happened). #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

6. Lily Bailey @LilyBaileyUK
    "It must be so nice to have time to write. I'd love to give up work too." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

5. Kathy Reinhart @KathyReinhart
    "People can buy it? Seriously? In a real bookstore?" #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

4. Marti Leimbach @MartiLeimbach
    "I wish I had time to write." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

3. Joanne Harris @joannechocolat
    "So, what's your REAL job?" #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

2. Shay Ray Stevens @shayraystevens
 "OMG! Fifty Shades of Grey is like... the best book EVER!" #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

1. J.S. Morin @authorjsmorin
    "I don't read." (*shudder*) #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter

I hope you enjoyed some of these as much as I did. I relate with them. And though some people may not see them as rude or insulting, sometimes it comes across as cringe worthy. But hey, now people know, and hopefully future comments will be better. haha. I seriously laughed out loud at some of these though. There are so many great ones. And unfortunately, writers have heard them ALL! haha.

Here are a few personal ones that have been said to me.

"I'll just wait until you give it away for free on Kindle." (Ummm.... thanks for the support and confidence.)

"I've always wanted to write a book. It's obviously not rocket science. I mean if you can do it..." 
(Gee... thanks. You're right, I don't work hard. It's cool. You think i'm dumb. I get it. Thanks.) 

"$2.99 is kind of expensive for an ebook isn't it? I mean, it didn't cost anything to make right?"
(Um. False. It does cost money. Quite a bit actually. And please, toss out the $7 Starbucks drink before you say this to me.) 

"It must be nice to have a husband that pays for you to just sit at home and write." 
(Um. No. Brad does not pay for any of my publishing/book stuff. My sales do. He hasn't even read my book for crying out loud.) 

"Can I be in your next book?"
(No. The answer will always be no. Sorry.)

"So how many books have you sold?"
(Strangers: This is the equivalent to asking a heart surgeon how much he makes in a year... some questions are better left unasked.)

"You should really try to advertise more, because I haven't heard of you."
(Um... I do advertise. Perhaps you aren't my target audience.... hmmmm....) 


These are just a few of the awesome comments I've received over the last few months. I love hearing from my readers, and I love talking with my readers. For the most part, these type of comments or questions do not come from my actual readers but by passersby at festivals or book signings. Though a few have come from friends as well. However, as a writer, we smile and nod and in our heads are thinking, "They just don't understand all the work involved. It's okay."
And it is okay. We get it. A.) Not everyone is going to like what we write. B.) Not everyone knows the intense amount of money or work involved in writing a book. And C.) Not everyone knows how to talk to someone who can create mystical worlds and random people inside their head. haha. 

So with a little insight now, hopefully, you know what questions to ask vs. those that might be better left in your brain. :) 

And I am thankful that we can make the task of writing a book look easy for you. If you are one of the few people who are seriously considering writing a book of your own, we welcome your questions and comments. I personally love helping new writers and authors learn the business. And that's what it is: A business. Just like any other profession you have to learn the ins and outs. So please reach out to me if you are needing some guidance or just want some advice or just want someone to talk to about taking that final leap. We fellow writers suffered through comments and questions like those listed above so that perhaps we will have the advice for newbies like yourself. :) 

Thanks everyone. :)
Hope you laughed a little bit today. :)
Katharine