First Wednesday already? IWSG Day!
This month’s IWSG question is about questions: What sort of questions about your writing are you happy to answer, and what questions drive you nuts?
I submit two teeth-gnashing questions.
I bet they will surprise nobody.
But first, my thanks to founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and this month’s IWSG co-hosts: Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue. Be sure to pay them a visit. If you’d like to participate in the monthly IWSG blog hops, sign up here. Now, those two maddening questions:
#1. Are you published?
If somebody tells you they’re a writer, assume they’re good at their job. It’s not okay to try to put your finger on the pulse of another person’s career. If you can’t stem your curiosity, Google them. Don’t put writers on the spot by demanding proof of their success.
#2. How much do you sell?
Unless you’re my accountant, it’s never cool to ask me how much I earn.
Which questions am I happy to answer? Depends on who’s asking. I tend to avoid talking about writing with non-writers. What I’ve discovered is, most people would rather talk about themselves. I’m content to listen.
Hey, I read a couple of good books over the holiday. Check out Iain Kelly’s A Justified State, and Tal M. Klein’s The Punch Escrow. Both are winners!
And, hey, I’m on Goodreads, finally. Please connect with me over there. I’m still finding my way around. It’ll be nice to bump into friends.
Did I mention that I’ve published a novelette?
Have a look!
Overnight, users of the popular social networking site, Know-Me, acquire a duplicate, but dissimilar, identity. Though he claims to be shocked by the doubles’ debut, Know-Me’s CEO, Jason Vrabek, has impressed even himself with this latest testament to his genius. He swears his company has not launched a massive social experiment, something Know-Me has been accused of in the past. While experts investigate the phenomenon, the doubles engage with their counterparts, and Vrabek collects the data.
Alice Merkanowsky, an ordinary office worker, is enthralled with her duplicate self, the glamorous wife of a celebrity chef. Her thrill soon turns into an obsession which strains her marriage, and threatens her grip on reality.
Alice isn’t the only Know-Me casualty. Hoax, or not, the phenomenon triggers consequences that are frighteningly real, even for Vrabek who soon finds himself outmatched by his own genius double.
“I bet they will surprise nobody”: lol. I double-checked, and we’re already Goodreads buddies. 🙂 http://www.raimeygallant.com
You were one of my first GR buddies, Raimey! #forevergrateful
You are so right most people would rather talk about themselves.
Why is people ask authors about book sales? Does anyone ask an accountant or lawyer how much he makes?
Exactly, Alex. I’ve yet to come up with a good response.
I’ve been meaning to read Iain’s book.
You won’t be disappointed, Claire!
The published question also irritates me. It’s so hard to explain to non-writers how long and hard the road is.
Only non-writers who live with writers kind of understand. And I mean, kind of.
So true, that is a good sidestep to getting out of answering too. Ask them about themselves and they forget what they ask you.
Hi Juneta! That is indeed my strategy!
Love the premise of your book, CV! And you zeroed in on two of the most maddening questions writers get. Teeth-gnashers for sure! Wishing you lots of success and fulfillment in the coming year!
Hi Fundy, yeah, a lot of people are simply fascinated by what we do. I try to keep that in mind when questions cross the line. This is why I tend to mumble something vague when I’m asked what I ‘do’?
Success to you too!
The “are you published?” question does feel kind of rude. Probably better to ask a writer where you can buy his/her books, though that question too might be a little presumptuous.
I hate when people ask me how much I sell or if I sell a lot of books. Mostly because the answer is pretty depressing and they tend to be shocked and expecting selling books to be easy.
It’s hard for my non-writer friends to understand that I write because I love creating stories. I work hard at writing because I want to write well. Perhaps the sales questions disturb us because the answers are looked upon as a measure of our success. But we know that writing is about so much more than those numbers. This is a process of continual improvement. Every stage is a success in it’s own way and unique to each writer. Thanks for stopping by, Patricia!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Your new book sounds awesome.
I’ll look you up on Goodreads.
Hi Toi! Goodreads is amazing. I had no idea. Now everyone is saying we should be on Instagram too. That platform, I’m not so sure about …
Congrats on getting your book out. What an intriguing concept!