Things that turn novel writers OFF...

[maestrowork]

Start your list now...

Obviously, a few things sprung to mind:

- rejections!
- lack of response
- publication process/cycle (slow!)
- royalty payment schedule
- they want to do WHAT to my perfect ms.?
...

[scarletpeaches]

Being invited out for the day and going, then coming back home to your WIP and discovering you've lost the thread of the story, and having to read over the last few pages.

[aadams73]

People who call/knock on door because they don't think writing is a "real job".

Non responding agents

[mesh138]

No receiving a response by e-mail, wondering if the editor didn't get it, accidentally deleted it, or is just through with you.

[maestrowork]

Oh yeah, people who say, "YOU are writing a novel?" then laugh...

People who think "writing a novel" means "you're a bum."

People who think novel writing is easy...

Reading a crappy book that makes $$$$$$$$

[aadams73]

When you tell someone you're writing/have written a book and they say "Oh I'm going to do that when I have some time" or "I've always wanted to do that." or "I keep meaning to write a book. My life would make a good story."

[maestrowork]

Meeting your favorite author and he/she turns out to be a jerk.

[DivaNicoletta]

When you tell someone you're writing/have written a book and they say "Oh I'm going to do that when I have some time" or "I've always wanted to do that." or "I keep meaning to write a book. My life would make a good story."

I run into this to and it really annoys me. Someone who is a writer does not write when they have time, they make time to write. It's kind of like that quote from " Throw Mama From A train" ' A writer writes, always!"

[Perks]

Grrr. Midday obligations when I was on a roll. Hrmph!

[Jamesaritchie]

Rejections, of course. Cheap pens. People who don't read and seem proud of it. Readheads with high moral standards.

[Dawno]

So where's the thread about what turns them on? I just might meet a hottie novelist and need that info! Inquiring minds and all that...

[scarletpeaches]

Further to the proud illiterates, James: people who read crap and think from that, that writing a book is easy. Cousins to the 'One Day' Novelists...Gah!

[kristie911]

Having to actually work at my "real" job and not getting the time to write...how dare people have emergencies at 4 a.m., that's MY time! :)

When my favorite pen runs out of ink and I'm out of refills.

[Celia Cyanide]

Readheads with high moral standards.

Just curious...what does that mean?

[brinkett]

Just curious...what does that mean?
I think he meant redheads. Read the "What turns novel writers on" thread for context.

What turns me off: telemarketers

[azbikergirl]

People assuming my fantasy novel is for children or is a HP spin-off.
Hearing that writing fantasy/SF isn't 'real' writing.
People asking me when I'm going to retire in my new mansion. (That gets old really fast.)
Finding a lump on my dog's face and having the vet tell me it's probably cancer.
Having the phone ring while I'm writing, and when I ignore it, hearing someone leave a message and then having to get up and erase it because the answering machine beeps every 10 seconds to tell me I have a freaking message.

[maestrowork]

People who expect me to be just like Grisham or King, or that the only worthy books to write are those bestselling thrillers.

[scarletpeaches]

Ex-boyfriends who dump you and then still call to ask when your books coming out, because even though they don't want you as a girlfriend, they still want to live off your impending success and fame, and have told everyone in their office that they know an author, having missed out the "I won't effing well leave her alone!" part.

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

When you tell someone you're writing/have written a book and they say "Oh I'm going to do that when I have some time" or "I've always wanted to do that." or "I keep meaning to write a book. My life would make a good story."

Or worse still, "You're a writer? Wow. I've got this idea for a novel..." Then s/he goes into an hour long presentation, ending with, "You could you write it for me!"

[scarletpeaches]

Or worse still, "You're a writer? Wow. I've got this idea for a novel..." Then s/he goes into an hour long presentation, ending with, "You could you write it for me!"

And we could split the profits! That way YOU do all the work and I get half the money!

[jen.nifer]

When you tell someone you're writing/have written a book and they say "Oh I'm going to do that when I have some time" or "I've always wanted to do that." or "I keep meaning to write a book. My life would make a good story."

Bingo. This turns me off.

[My-Immortal]

Telling someone that you're a writer and having them reply, "Yeah, I wanted to be a writer when I was younger, but then I grew up and got a real job."
-----------
Telling someone that you're a writer and having them reply, "What do you write?"
"Fantasy."
"Ohhhhhh....so, like elves and fairies and such...?"

Or...

"So you think you're gonna be the next JK Rowling?"

Or...

"I don't like those kinds of books - I think they're kinda stupid and a waste of time."

Or even sometimes...

"Like adult sex books?"
-----------

Relatives: How's the book coming along?
Me: I finished it and I'm working on the next one.
Relatives: So, when's it going to be published?
Me: I've submitted it to a few places so far, but it's been rejected...
Relatives (with that "look" - I'm sure you know which one I mean - the you-really-aren't-going-to-amount-to-much-are-you look) Hmmmmm....

-----------

Take it easy all - and keep writing

[AncientEagle]

People who ask, "So, when are you going to write The Great American Novel?" If I have to answer at all, I usually say, "I already have. It'll be recognized any day now."

When the newspaper lavishes publicity on a local "author" who has just published a book that was started six months ago. I check on it and, sure enough - vanity press.

[stormie]

When the newspaper lavishes publicity on a local "author" who has just published a book that was started six months ago. I check on it and, sure enough - vanity press.

Yup, that's one of things that bothers me a lot.

No Staples catalogues anywhere in the house.

[Lyra Jean]

when some reads your work and says..."oh you should have a bear kill the family instead of a blizzard. or add [suggestion here] and your book/story will be much better. After reading the first three pages.

[WerenCole]

I am a story teller and everything, but what gets me is when people ask what the novel is about. . . over and over and over again. I wrote the darned thing, you want to know what it's about, then read it. Then, if they really do want to read it and I give them a copy and ask a couple weeks later what they thought, and they haven't read it. Stuff like that.

Cole

[Mistook]

Being profiled

[Arithion]

I'm not the best of the bunch when it comes to grammar. Commas and I have major issues, but having someone who doesn't know the difference between then and than try to tell me how to better phrase sentences ...

Yeah, that ticks me off severely.

[Garpy]

or when you tell people you're a writer, and they ask what your book's about...and you realise you don't want to bore them with a ten minute synopsis so you have to come up with some lame 'it's such-and-such meets such-and-such' type pitch.

sheeeesh...I hate doing that. I had to do that once too often at a publishing do, and described my book as 'Da Vinci meets The Brady Bunch'. It caused a momentary confusion, and some serious chin-scratching, during which I made my getaway.

[DivaWriter]

When YOU believe you've written one of the most engaging and insightful novels ever, but you still haven't found an agent who sees what you see!

When you've written a novel just as good, if not better than most of the stuff in your genre but you hear from agents that they're not sure how to market your work and you're sure it's simply because your main character is a minority and the few "big agents" who could handle your material are all telling you they're not accepting any new material at this time. :Wha: :rolleyes:

[three seven]

Turning over a bit of beef and finding an artery sticking out of it. But I think that'd turn me off if I wasn't a writer. Hmm. Guess I'll never know.

[jst5150]

People who say, "I worked on the yearbook in high school," so they understand exactly what it means to be a writer/photographer. Riiiiiight.

Also, people who talk about writing but never produce anything.

[maestrowork]

Writer's block. Ugh.

To have to do tons and tons and tons of research... ugh. I'm a fiction writer, not a journalist. ;)

[Jaycinth]

1) Most of the above.
2) Most of the below.
3) My pet 'glass chewing' peeve: Non-readers/non-writers whose only comments consist on variations on " You should leave the writing up to professional writers who have published books. They have the experience and training to write and they know what they are doing, and you don't. Nobody ever reads anything by un-published writers."

( There's a special place in hell. . . )

[Jaycinth]

Turning over a bit of beef and finding an artery sticking out of it. But I think that'd turn me off if I wasn't a writer. Hmm. Guess I'll never know.

You see....I'd write a story about that. Not that anyone would ever read it. . .

[WerenCole]

Being a chef as well as a writer I will assure you that I would never let that piece of artery go out with your steak. . . it goes in the soup with the rest of the arteries. . .

Also, Garpy. . . I think you hit it on the head for me. . . I guess I just don't want to bore the people with my ten minute synopsis, and people don't understand how I can't just describe my work with a few well articulated sentences. . .

"Jonny met Sandy and they had a problem with Bobby but they got away and now they live in Santa Clara where they have a dog and two obnoxious children. . ."

Well articulated. . . right. . .

Weren

[zarch]

- when people say "fictional novel" or some such thing

- when my students (high school sophomores) declare that To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tale of Two Cities, or Othello "sucks."

- literary agents who scratch an almost unreadable "no thanks" on my query and send it back...at least take the time to write clearly

- literary agents who use my SASE to advertise their stinking books

- yes, cheap pens

[stace001]

Oh yeah, people who say, "YOU are writing a novel?" then laugh...

People who think "writing a novel" means "you're a bum."

People who think novel writing is easy...

Reading a crappy book that makes $$$$$$$$

Oh Maestro, you read my mind. And when friends/family call you a dozen times a day to get you to do errands for them because they're too busy to leave work, and they say "but you're only writing. You can leave whenever you like" :mad:

[maestrowork]

That reminds me of a line in the movie Capote, when Truman Capote said to Perry Smith, "I am WORKING. This is my work."

[stace001]

Know-it-alls who read nothing but newspapers and trashy magazines and call themselves literate.:Smack:

[maestrowork]

Agents who ask, "In what author's style do you write"?

Scammers -- you know who!

Vanity presses that make it sound like everyone could be a published author, that it's so easy.

People who say, "It can't be done."

[katee]

People - who I respect - turning their noses up at my chosen genre.

(Even worse when you'd mentally lined them up to be beta readers!)

[Arithion]

People who say they'll beta for you. Then they start reading and stop, because they're so enthusiastic about telling you how they'd had a similar idea once, and maybe they were meant to be a writer too, but they just don't have the time for it.

And nuts... nuts just really turn me off writing...

[goatpiper]

I know it's a common no-no, but excessive adverb usage bothers me. I just read the new Potter book, and though JK has gotten better, she used a LOT of adverbs, and it just drove me nuts.
I hate it when I tell someone to read something of mine, and to comment on the story, characters, tone and style, and they come back with 'I think you spell this word this way, and I think your grammar is off here'. I'm ready and willing to address technical problems like spelling and grammar, but I find the aforementioned qualities more difficult to analyze - hence asking for someone else's perspective.
People (like my father - who I haven't spoken to in years) who say 'You think you'll actually make it as a successful author? So many people want to be published - how do you think you'll actually do it? You should pursue something more practical.' Nothing gets my back up faster.
I hate the little gnomes that come out of my wall and talk to me while I'm trying to write - like it's not hard enough to sit down and stare at blank paper for a few hours a day.

[Jaycinth]

New one.
Friends and family who don't understand the submission/rejection/publication process.
Clarification: You've gotten several rejection slips. And the dear empathetic person wants to help. So they go out and they go on line (or to the yellow pages) and they find 'vanity' publishers. Then they are kind enough to contact them for you. Then they tell you.."I talked to a 'publisher' and they want to print your book."

You all know the emotion that engenders.

Then the dear person gives you the NAME of the interested 'publisher', forcing you to explain why what that 'publisher' wants to do has little to do with actual publishing. (And this creates hard feelings no matter what you do.)

It is worse when they give out your e-mail and you get spammed by every (insert profanities and obcenities here) subsidy publisher in the world.

[Jamesaritchie]

I know it's a common no-no, but excessive adverb usage bothers me. I just read the new Potter book, and though JK has gotten better, she used a LOT of adverbs, and it just drove me nuts.
.

I can forgive Rowling because she's writing for children, and children really and truly want lots of adverbs. The rules change when writing for children, and as Harry Potter has aged, Rowling has slowly eased up on the adverbs, trying, I tink, to meet the demands of both child and adult readers.

But when writing for children, adverbs aren't the same no-no as when writing for adults.

[henriette]

the monopoly indigo/chapters has over the bookselling business in canada.

same crappy selection at every location.

bah.

[Celia Cyanide]

I've been thinking on this for a while...

Trying to find the right words...people who read some dumb little thing I wrote, like a writing assignment or an email, and decide that means I'm a good writer, and I should be a novelist.

[fedorable1]

PERSON: "So, what's your [project] about?"
AUTHOR: "Well, it's about [vague description of project].
PERSON: "Oh, you mean like [barely similar work]?
AUTHOR: "What? No, mine's different. It's about [more detailed description].
PERSON: "Oh....cause it still sounds like [barely similar work] to me.
AUTHOR: "[Harsh explitives]!!!"

[SeanDSchaffer]

People who know next to nothing about writing, telling me how to write.

People who know next to nothing about writing, telling me how to get published.

People who know next to nothing about writing, telling me to give up after being rejected three or four times.

People who know I'm a writer, deciding that when I put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on my door, that means it's time come visit me. After all, everyone knows that writing isn't real work....


People who have no job, telling me to stop writing and get a job.

People who look at the disreputable company that has my book for the next five years, telling me, "Well, at least they gave you a chance!"

:Smack:

[Nakhlasmoke]

Oh I'm so with you all on the "But it's not a real job" thing.

Also the number of people who think that fantasy means I'm writing Lord of the Rings style sword and sorcery, or about fairies, or children's books.

*sigh* I just gave up explaining it, and now I smile and nod, because it's too much trouble to set them straight.

My own lack of skill frustrates me, and it's probably the biggest turn-off for me; that I'm not as good as I want to be. I am trying to improve, but it can get so disheartening that occasionally I catch myself thinking, "hmm, maybe I should go out and get a *real* job..."

Then I slap myself.

--CatHellisen

[Celia Cyanide]

People who look at the disreputable company that has my book for the next five years, telling me, "Well, at least they gave you a chance!"

:Smack:

Ouch, that's bad. That's the way it looks from the outside looking in, I suppose.

On that note, another one I thought of is...people who are "published" through a certain disreputable company, and "happy," about it thinking they are "real writers," and I am not.

[katrinka]

Making the mistake of telling someone you're a writer and that person says, "I've had an interesting life. You should write about me."

[katrinka]

when some reads your work and says..."oh you should have a bear kill the family instead of a blizzard. or add [suggestion here] and your book/story will be much better. After reading the first three pages.

Yes, exactly! That's why I stopped discussing my stories with my husband. We'd get into big arugments, because he always knew my characters better, that he knew my stories better than I did.

[katrinka]

When another writer stops me in mid-sentence to pull out his notebook, starts scrawling and says, "Can I use that?"

[Celia Cyanide]

Yes, exactly! That's why I stopped discussing my stories with my husband. We'd get into big arugments, because he always knew my characters better, that he knew my stories better than I did.

oh, yeah...and when someone asks you what your story is about, and they interrupt you and say, "that isn't very realistic, because I wouldn't do that." If I wanted to write a story about you, I would have done!

[SeanDSchaffer]

Ouch, that's bad. That's the way it looks from the outside looking in, I suppose.

On that note, another one I thought of is...people who are "published" through a certain disreputable company, and "happy," about it thinking they are "real writers," and I am not.


I know how that goes....although I know it from the side of the person "published" through said disreputable company. I cannot believe I was such an idiot in those days!

And that's where I get my next turn-off:

--Finding such a company's website and thinking I might have a chance with them, although just looking at the site makes me think "SCAM! SCAM! RUN AWAY!"

[katrinka]

oh, yeah...and when someone asks you what your story is about, and they interrupt you and say, "that isn't very realistic, because I wouldn't do that." If I wanted to write a story about you, I would have done!
LOL! I'd like to strangle people like that.

[FolkloreFanatic]

I can forgive Rowling because she's writing for children, and children really and truly want lots of adverbs. The rules change when writing for children, and as Harry Potter has aged, Rowling has slowly eased up on the adverbs, trying, I tink, to meet the demands of both child and adult readers.

But when writing for children, adverbs aren't the same no-no as when writing for adults.

Biggest Pet Peeve: Everyone thinking that all plays after Tennessee Williams are crap, all movies after The Godfather are crap, all fantasy books after Harry Potter and LotR are crap, as if they were the first time someone ever expressed a creative idea in the history of the world.

#2: That the Half-Blood Prince was the most poorly edited of all six HP books, yet people cannot seem to accept criticism of JKR when I point out why Ginny is a Mary Sue, Hermione is no longer the same character, mixed moral messages...you get the picture.

[Lenora Rose]

the monopoly indigo/chapters has over the bookselling business in canada.

same crappy selection at every location.

bah.

I don't find it crappy, but I do find it uniform (including through Coles, the smaller chain they picked up). This is why I'm absolutely delighted to be in the home of McNally Robinson - a small independant turned local big-box, with a noticeably different selection from Chapters.

Alas, their website altogether stinks for random searches, so I can't recommend it to out-of-towners unless you know *exactly* which book you're searching for.

Folklore Fanatic: I disgree that Half-blood Prince was worse edited than Goblet of Fire, but I'm curious about your comments on the other items. I don't recall Ginny feeling like a Mary-Sue to me (Hers is a horribly contrived subplot, yes, but that's a different kettle of fish.)

[katiemac]

I can forgive Rowling because she's writing for children, and children really and truly want lots of adverbs. The rules change when writing for children, and as Harry Potter has aged, Rowling has slowly eased up on the adverbs, trying, I tink, to meet the demands of both child and adult readers.

But when writing for children, adverbs aren't the same no-no as when writing for adults.


I've moved past the adverbs when I read Rowling. Either I've learned to shut my brain off to it, or I'm just reading so quickly they don't really register. True, they are less frequent than in earlier books. Still, I'll never forget the line of dialogue which the character Ron "ejaculated loudly." Every time I see it, to emulate a bit of James MacDonald, I *facepalm*.

[pepperlandgirl]

#2: That the Half-Blood Prince was the most poorly edited of all six HP books, yet people cannot seem to accept criticism of JKR when I point out why Ginny is a Mary Sue, Hermione is no longer the same character, mixed moral messages...you get the picture.

Are you, by chance, a Harry/Hermione shipper?

[writerterri]

I hate being told, "Get off that dumb computer." Like it's something noble they just said. And I hate hearing, "Are you still on the computer?"




Yes, it does seem like I'm on here a lot, but I'm trying to put some nice underwear on your butt and start a college fund for you! Oh! And how about that motor bike you've always wanted, honey! AND, I'M REALLY TIRED OF APARTMENT LIVING, SO I'LL BE SPENDING EVEN MORE TIME HERE. SO, BRING ME A PLATE OF HOT FOOD AND A NICE CUP OF GREEN TEA AND I MIGHT INCLUDE YOU IN THE CELEBRATION OF MY FIRST CHECK. Thank you!

[Celia Cyanide]

Biggest Pet Peeve: Everyone thinking that all plays after Tennessee Williams are crap, all movies after The Godfather are crap, all fantasy books after Harry Potter and LotR are crap, as if they were the first time someone ever expressed a creative idea in the history of the world.

Yeah, that leads me to my next turnoff...people who spew the belief that only classic literature is good, and contemporary lit is junk, and yet...they write!

You are entitled to your opinion, and if you only wanna read the old school classics, and don't want to waste time separating the wheat from the chaff, by all means, go for it. But if you think all contemporary writers suck, I suggest you seek counciling, because you must really hate yourself by now.

This applies to everything. People who think good films are no longer made after 1978, and yet they want to act. Why? No matter how many times you practice that Marlon Brando monologue, you'll never be in the Godfather.

[athena_biddy]

Most of the below.
3) My pet 'glass chewing' peeve: Non-readers/non-writers whose only comments consist on variations on " You should leave the writing up to professional writers who have published books. They have the experience and training to write and they know what they are doing, and you don't. Nobody ever reads anything by un-published writers."

( There's a special place in hell. . . )

Even those authors started out unpublished! Everyone has to start somewhere!

[jerrymouse]

Oh yeah, people who say, "YOU are writing a novel?" then laugh...

People who think "writing a novel" means "you're a bum."

People who think novel writing is easy...

Reading a crappy book that makes $$$$$$$$

i love reading crap that sells. there is a lesson in there somewhere and it is probably that no one ever lost a buck, etc.

[williemeikle]

Nothing turns me off.... I am serene....I am a little fat buddah just full to the brim with serenity and calm... NOT!

Today it's f*****g agents who wait a year before giving you the form-letter finger on a full manuscript they requested because they thought the idea was hot and current...

Willie

[Andre_Laurent]

People who want to read it for free.

My office, yesterday. Help desk dude comes over, "Hey, Karen (she was a beta reader) said she couldn't put your ms down and said I should read it. Can you give me a copy?"

Me: It's not ready yet."

Help desk dude: "Oh come on. Let me read it."

Week before: Help desk manager runs into me at the door, "Can I read your work?"

Me: It's not finished!!!

[vrabinec]

Agents who ask, "In what author's style do you write"?

Scammers -- you know who!

Vanity presses that make it sound like everyone could be a published author, that it's so easy.

People who say, "It can't be done."

Yup, people who say it can't be done irk the crap out of me. As though successful writers only drop out of the sky from an alien ship, because, you know, when an an aspirinf writer, an "ordinary" person, calls it a sallow cheek, it just doesn't sound the same as when a published writer calls it a sallow cheek.

[ChaosTitan]

3) My pet 'glass chewing' peeve: Non-readers/non-writers whose only comments consist on variations on " You should leave the writing up to professional writers who have published books. They have the experience and training to write and they know what they are doing, and you don't. Nobody ever reads anything by un-published writers."

Bold mine.

Even those authors started out unpublished! Everyone has to start somewhere!

No kidding, nobody (except betas and friends) reads anything by unpublished writers. It hasn't been published yet! Makes it hard to read, doesn't it? :ROFL:

[IrishScribbler]

When someone (non-writer or wanna-be writer) hears I'm a writer and the first thing they mention is the poetry they write in their journal or the story idea they have and "Can you take a look at it?"

[Anonymisty]

People (at work) who see me working on edits during my lunch break and tell me, "You should tell that publisher it's fine the way it is, and you're not changing it. What'll they do, fire you?"

Uh, yeah.

[DragonHeart]

I finally break down and show my mom my most recent completed story (not a final draft) and she proceeds to bring it to work and show everyone. We work at the same store, so now everyone's badgering me about my writing. Gah!

As an addenum to the above, all our coworkers are 'encouraging' me by bringing in anything published by their friends or relatives expecting me to read it and be published "just like them". Considering that one is a genre I do not read nor write and the other was a PA book, I'd rather not have that dubious honor.

~DragonHeart~

[athena_biddy]

The worst by far is "oh wow, I write stuff too!"

[jess b]

1) Having a friend who requested a copy of my MS email me months later to say, "I just finished reading your book!" And, when I write back to ask what he thought, never, ever hearing from him AGAIN.

(This has happened TWICE.)

2) When my mother tells a group of her friends, a propos of nothing and in my presence, that I'm "a brilliant writer." Everyone turns and looks at me, in silence. (Maybe this would be okay if I were under 10, but at 30?) So of course all I can do is say, "No I'm not. Anyway, getting back to [whatever conversation was previously under discussion]--"

[Yuallica]

I've got to agree with everyone who said people you talk about writing a novel 'when they get the time' and as well as that, when they say they're 'just waiting for their big idea!'

Oh, and when people say, "Are you still writing that story?" Yes, I am, because it's a novel, and funnily enough, they can take a while to write...

And people who offer to beta read, so you lend them your printed off MS when they promise to put comments on post-its and then they write all over the MS itself with purple crayon. And their comments are along the lines of, "That character has to slap that other character, not punch, because it's a woman, and women slap, not punch." Yes. I'm sure that no woman has ever punched anyone before...

[icerose]

Mine are the usuals.

Crappy pens, screaming children, demanding husband, chores. :D

[jess b]

I'm sure that no woman has ever punched anyone before...

You should punch them for that.

But only if you're a woman.

[The Lady]

The worst by far is "oh wow, I write stuff too!"

That one I don't get. I quite enjoy asking them what they write and inviting them to join my writing group. That'll sort them out if they're a fake. Give them a writing community if they're not.

[The Lady]

What I do dislike though is when somebody introduces you to someone with. Here's *****. He/She is interesting in writing too. So you switch on your writerly brain and get ready to talk shop and they say, "Oh no, I haven't written anything yet but I've a great idea for a book."

And then you have to drain all your wine in one go and jump up saying, "Oh, I'm out. Back in a minute."

[Ms.Write]

This is such fun! Here's my list:
- form rejections
- people who roll their eyes when you say you're working on a novel
- non-writers asking you how MANY books you publish every year
- not believing enough in myself (but am back on track now!)

[DWSTXS]

I think mine is distilled down even more:

Me: "I'm in the process of writing a novel..."

Them: Eyes glaze over quickly.......vacant look....... "Uhmm okay.....I blah blah blah..." (they quickly change subject back to themselves.......)

that is SO demeaning and rude.......I have gotten to the point where I will turn around and walk away from them, leaving them there...talking to air.....

sorry, but I've had it with these types!

[ishtar'sgate]

Nonwriters who think their lives or story ideas are fantastically interesting and want you to write about them.:tongue
Linnea

[Ervin]

PERSON: "So, what's your [project] about?"
AUTHOR: "Well, it's about [vague description of project].
PERSON: "Oh, you mean like [barely similar work]?
AUTHOR: "What? No, mine's different. It's about [more detailed description].
PERSON: "Oh....cause it still sounds like [barely similar work] to me.
AUTHOR: "[Harsh explitives]!!!"Wow, that can be applied to almost anything, and it drives me insane. The person is actually putting in effort to be ignorant.

[wayndom]

I should probably read the whole thread before posting this (since I'm sure about 50 other people have the same gripe), but life is short, so...

People who, after being told I'm working on a novel, ask, "Fiction or non-fiction?"

And by the way, I've gotten this question from many college grads...

[wayndom]

Or worse still, "You're a writer? Wow. I've got this idea for a novel..." Then s/he goes into an hour long presentation, ending with, "You could you write it for me!"

I had a close relative (even though I know this person will never read this, I'm still not gonna say how close) who sent me an email with "a great story idea you can use."

The "story" was a racist wet-dream of how the world got together and erased Arabs from the planet -- but it's a GOOD story, not mean-spirited or anything, because Arabs were eliminated by STERILIZING them, and hence no one was killed in the process.

I've since closed all lines of communication with this person.

[wayndom]

New one.
Friends and family who don't understand the submission/rejection/publication process.
Clarification: You've gotten several rejection slips. And the dear empathetic person wants to help. So they go out and they go on line (or to the yellow pages) and they find 'vanity' publishers. Then they are kind enough to contact them for you. Then they tell you.."I talked to a 'publisher' and they want to print your book."

You all know the emotion that engenders.

I believe the applicable legal term is, "justifiable homicide."

[wayndom]

People who say a variation of, "I know someone who has a friend who works at a publisher! I could show her your novel!"

[Matera the Mad]

People who, after being told I'm working on a novel, ask, "Fiction or non-fiction?"

And by the way, I've gotten this question from many college grads...
omfg - but no, I'm not really surprised, just nauseated.

I like being told proudly "I just got my book published!" - and then finding out that it's self-drivel, and trying to find something to say about it without going up in flames.

Or giving a printout or disk to someone and hearing silence, giving him another because it has changed so much the first sample is waaay obsolete, hearing more silence....

[wayndom]

Oh I'm so with you all on the "But it's not a real job" thing.

Also the number of people who think that fantasy means I'm writing Lord of the Rings style sword and sorcery, or about fairies, or children's books.

*sigh* I just gave up explaining it, and now I smile and nod, because it's too much trouble to set them straight.


How's this idea? Don't tell people you write fantasy. If they ask, tell them, "I write post-modern literary fiction." When they ask what that is, tell them they'd have to take a few college courses to understand...

[Ervin]

Wayndom, I recommend the edit button.

[wayndom]

People (at work) who see me working on edits during my lunch break and tell me, "You should tell that publisher it's fine the way it is, and you're not changing it. What'll they do, fire you?"


My first novel was almost represented by a very well-known agent, who felt the ending needed strengthening. When I told this to a friend's "writer" wife, she demanded to know, "Did you fight for your ending?"

Uh, no. I tried to improve it. Did she think I could force an agent to represent my work?

[wayndom]

Wayndom, I recommend the edit button.

Care to be more specific?

[Ervin]

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8647/47465820ao5.png

So you don't make 50 posts, when you could just have one.

[wayndom]

Wow, I'll keep that in mind. Sorry to be so tiresome.

[Shweta]

So you don't make 50 posts, when you could just have one.

Some people find multiple short posts a lot easier to read than one long one. We don't have a post limit, or rules as to how long posts should be, and we do manage to rub along okay overall. Stick around -- you'll see :)

The only "rule" we do have on this one is that if someone repeatedly quotes a big long thing and says "yeah" below it, smoke comes out my ears.

[wayndom]

Windows Vista. A curse on Bill Gates and everything he does...

[Atlantis]

Also, people who talk about writing but never produce anything.

My mum's like that. She write about two pages of a novel 20 years ago and dabbled in poetry for a bit. She always talks about how she wants to write romance novels. Dad got all excited about the idea of her doing it for a while and used to try to stir me up by asking "How would you feel if Mum got published before you?"

Well its 12 months later and I've just finished a 1,000 page manuscript and she's done nothing. Heh heh heh heh heh.

[swvaughn]

Some people find multiple short posts a lot easier to read than one long one. We don't have a post limit, or rules as to how long posts should be, and we do manage to rub along okay overall. Stick around -- you'll see :)

The only "rule" we do have on this one is that if someone repeatedly quotes a big long thing and says "yeah" below it, smoke comes out my ears.

Yeah! :tongue

(Shweta - next time, make your post longer. This one just doesn't have the same effect. :D)

[Shweta]

Swvaughn




I'll




do




my







best
:tongue

[Willowmound]

Things that turn novel writers off: When she lets drop she already has a boyfriend.

What, it has to be writing related?

[Smiling Ted]

You know, it sounds like most of the pet peeves here are...well...related to people. Ick.

Just do what I did.

Move to LA.

That way, as soon as you tell someone you're a writer, they'll simply disappear, leaving you free to concentrate on your manuscript.

Problem solved!

[Hopcus]

When people are like "Oh, yeah. I started writing something once... if I had more free time I could finish it and it would be a bestseller." Blachhhhhhhh! Hate that!

[Poetoffire]

I once met someone who claimed she was a "writer" because she told her story ideas to her sister and had her sister write them out for her...ugh.

[ajkjd01]

1) Other Person: What do you write?
Me: humorous contemporary fantasy.
Other Person: Like what?
Me: Well, I've completed a couple of stories. The first one's about a rookie cop werewolf with a pet cat.
Other Person: (silence) This is fiction, right?
Me: (facepalm)

2) Other Person: So I hear you wrote a novel.
Me: Yes. It's urban fantasy.
Other Person: Oh, so you're going to be the next John Grisham? (As an informational aside....I'm an attorney by day)
Me: No. I don't write about lawyers. Or at least I haven't yet.
Other Person: I hear he doesn't make very much money doing that, and that's why he's still practicing law.
Me: I'll gladly take his royalty checks. (facepalm)

3) Other Person: So I hear you write.
Me: Yes. I write fantasy.
Other Person: Cool. Will you help me edit this? (completely unrelated non-fiction piece of writing)

4) Spending 18-24 months on an urban fantasy novel, hearing all the time, "Oh this is really hot...your stuff is really good...this is publishable..." and the day that I finished the last edits, I stumbled across an article telling me that urban fantasy was dead and the fad was over.

5) Sending an e-query. Getting a request for a full in less than twenty minutes. Still waiting nine months later for a decision on the full.

[SirOtter]

When another writer stops me in mid-sentence to pull out his notebook, starts scrawling and says, "Can I use that?"

That's pretty good. Can I use that?

Juuuuuuuuuust kidding!

My dad telling me to write about 'real people'. What, hard-boiled private eyes who walk through walls and chase vampires and werewolves and mummies and zombies aren't real enough?

[mscelina]

My weekly question from my dad: Are you making any money yet?

My weekly question from my conscience: Are you trying to make money yet?

My weekly question from my editor: Is the next book done yet?

My weekly question from my ambition: Have you done the best you can yet?

[SirOtter]

Nonwriters who think their lives or story ideas are fantastically interesting and want you to write about them.:tongue
Linnea

Worse yet, people whose lives ARE fascinating and would make a great book but won't let you in because of some silly concern over the Burmese government sending a death squad to the US to assassinate them. How possible is that?

And then you find out it's not only possible, it's likely.

Not that that's happened to me yet, but I'm half expecting it to when I run the idea past them.

[nevada]

4) Spending 18-24 months on an urban fantasy novel, hearing all the time, "Oh this is really hot...your stuff is really good...this is publishable..." and the day that I finished the last edits, I stumbled across an article telling me that urban fantasy was dead and the fad was over. Urban fantasy is not dead. Only the vampire stuff. so write on.

[Stunted]

Recently, I was telling a friend --who periodically starts writing really dumb novels, gets to page 50 and stops, while I work every night on the same novel for a year and have finished one all ready-- that I was working on my novel for a school independent study thing, and he says. "Oh, good. You'll actually finish something." That really blindsided me. Maybe I should have said something nasty. He does shit like that all the time, but not usually that bad.

[Glenakin]

I know it's a common no-no, but excessive adverb usage bothers me. I just read the new Potter book, and though JK has gotten better, she used a LOT of adverbs, and it just drove me nuts.
I hate it when I tell someone to read something of mine, and to comment on the story, characters, tone and style, and they come back with 'I think you spell this word this way, and I think your grammar is off here'. I'm ready and willing to address technical problems like spelling and grammar, but I find the aforementioned qualities more difficult to analyze - hence asking for someone else's perspective.
People (like my father - who I haven't spoken to in years) who say 'You think you'll actually make it as a successful author? So many people want to be published - how do you think you'll actually do it? You should pursue something more practical.' Nothing gets my back up faster.


On the JK Rowling bit, yeah I find it hard reading her books because of those adverbs. They stab my eyes and make them bleed. But I always remind myself that she's writing for children, so I guess she's allowed to write like that.

And then what your dad said, well, mine said the same thing. I'm actually doing a Masters Degree on the thing he wanted me to do, but I'll be damned if I give up writing. Been doing it since I was 15 (I'm 23 now).

Yes, exactly! That's why I stopped discussing my stories with my husband. We'd get into big arugments, because he always knew my characters better, that he knew my stories better than I did.

Lol sorry, hun

Things that turn novel writers off: When she lets drop she already has a boyfriend.

What, it has to be writing related?

LOL!!!! Right you are, mate!

1) Other Person: What do you write?
Me: humorous contemporary fantasy.
Other Person: Like what?
Me: Well, I've completed a couple of stories. The first one's about a rookie cop werewolf with a pet cat.
Other Person: (silence) This is fiction, right?
Me: (facepalm)

2) Other Person: So I hear you wrote a novel.
Me: Yes. It's urban fantasy.
Other Person: Oh, so you're going to be the next John Grisham? (As an informational aside....I'm an attorney by day)
Me: No. I don't write about lawyers. Or at least I haven't yet.
Other Person: I hear he doesn't make very much money doing that, and that's why he's still practicing law.
Me: I'll gladly take his royalty checks. (facepalm)

3) Other Person: So I hear you write.
Me: Yes. I write fantasy.
Other Person: Cool. Will you help me edit this? (completely unrelated non-fiction piece of writing)

4) Spending 18-24 months on an urban fantasy novel, hearing all the time, "Oh this is really hot...your stuff is really good...this is publishable..." and the day that I finished the last edits, I stumbled across an article telling me that urban fantasy was dead and the fad was over.

5) Sending an e-query. Getting a request for a full in less than twenty minutes. Still waiting nine months later for a decision on the full.

LMAO!! OH MY DAYZ! LMAO!!

Recently, I was telling a friend --who periodically starts writing really dumb novels, gets to page 50 and stops, while I work every night on the same novel for a year and have finished one all ready-- that I was working on my novel for a school independent study thing, and he says. "Oh, good. You'll actually finish something." That really blindsided me. Maybe I should have said something nasty. He does shit like that all the time, but not usually that bad.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry if me laughing is bad, but I can't help it! Your friend is hilarious! LMAO!!

[Feidb]

This post is getting so big, I don't even have time to go back and see if I've already replied to it! I don't think I have.

My biggest turnoff is something I alluded to in another thread. That is, the "tough love" critiquer.

A tough love critiquer uses that excuse to be a total demeaning asshole. In other words, they don't have to be reasonable or diplomatic, they just say the harshest shit they can. I might add, "blunt" is another red flag.

I was once in a writer's group from hell, and their philosophy was to be as nasty as possible to "toughen you up."

You can tell someone something sucks without getting personal and demeaning. There is such a thing as diplomacy.

The idea is to encourage whoever you critique, not knock them down until they quit.

[DMarie84]

I can't think of much that hasn't been mentioned already, only "is it finished yet?" by well meaning family members.

Or "Are you going to be published?" And "Why don't you do something else like <insert profession here>. That came from my husband's uncle--the type of person who believes he knows everything about well, everything.

[Red.Ink.Rain]

When you tell someone that you wrote a fantasy, and they say, "Oh, so there are dragons. You probably got some of your inspiration from the DragonLance series."

Me: "Uh...no. I've never read them."

Him: "Lord of the Rings?"

Me: "No."

Him: "Harry Potter?"

Me: *smiles sweetly* "It's about a girl who is dying in two worlds, and the only cure for her disease is the one thing she's completely terrified of. It's also about Warriors who can wield fire and Seers who hear prophecies on the wind. And it's about a love triangle with one snarky girl, one shy jock, and one kid who may or may not exist. So...there are no dragons or wizards or hobbits. Okay?"

Him: *blinks blankly.

[dancingandflying]

Any adult who I come in contact with: So, what do you want to do when you get out of high school?

Me: I want to be a writer.

Them: Oh, like Stephanie Meyer?

Me: *facepalm* No, I actually don't like the Twilight series. I've never written and don't plan to write about vampires or teenage love stories.

Them: Oh. Well, at least you have time to change your mind.

Grr...

d&f.

[cbenoi1]

> Things that turn novel writers OFF...

friend#1: right here, you should have a vampire taking your MC by surprise by turning the nurse into a vampire. It'd be cool!

cb: it's a medical thriller, not fantasy.

friend#2: Why isn't the nurse madly in love with your MC, secretly wearing a Victoria Secrets garments? They should really go full force before Chapter 3.

cb: it's a medical thriller, not erotica.

friend#3: I thought this was set in an alternate 2035 with the only country left on Earth is Canada.

cb: Close enough. It is set in Montreal, BUT IT'S A GOD-DAMN MEDICAL THRILLER!!!

-cb

PS: next WIP -- erotic fantasy set in an alternate 2035 Canadian hospital. There. Happy now?

[Barpaio]

Things that turn me off: When I get to my writer's workshop and everyone agrees that they like it. After all, I know it's not perfect and I want some constructive criticism. also, like someone else said, when I ask someone to look over a story and tell me what they think of the story/characters/POV etc and i get back spelling mistakes or questions about grammar...

[backslashbaby]

When I let my father read my work and critiques from others, and he said, "They probably weren't critical enough." :) Actually, I agree with him. I wish he read more genres, though! I'm not Grisham.

"That won't be commercial enough". I like to know it; I do. But it is sad, too.

Telling my synopsis (which I haven't worked on) to folks and getting blank stares!!

[Bluestone]

I can't think of much that hasn't been mentioned already, only "is it finished yet?" by well meaning family members.



Can so relate to that one and was about to say the same thing, when I read your post. The other one is when they ask, "is it published yet?" as if it just happened to slip my mind that I actually GOT A BOOK PUBLISHED! I understand that there is no comprehension of the process from the non-writing sector, but if they only knew that you'd be shouting it from the rooftops and dancing all over the place and telling everyone on Facebook and blogging...oh, you know exactly what I mean.

[Barpaio]

Yes, the is it published yet question is the worst. "No" seems too under-exaggerated

[Fenika]

A crit that treats you like you are a 12yo. Srsly x.x

And no offense to 12 year olds. I'm sure they don't like demeaning lectures either.

[flamyngo]

So, I am new to this whole writing thing, and I haven't told a lot of my friend about it yet... I decided to take that leap the other day and here's how the conversation went:

Me: So, I have decided to write a novel... it's about 250 pages long so far. I am having a blast!
My friend: You like to write? Awesome, you can write my thesis. It's about.....

ugh.

[Red.Ink.Rain]

Hehehe. Been there, flamyngo.

[dawinsor]

I find that writing has made it harder in general for me to lose myself in other people's books. I notice the places where the writing is weak or the plot has a gaping hole, and I'm annoyed both as a reader and a writer. I'm sad I can't read in the same absorbed way I used to.

[zpeteman]

Procrastinating on sites like this and realizing just how many truly awful writers there are out there clogging up the system. And then further realizing that some of them are actually published.

[Angel_Lorena26]

For me its one I hear alot "Your not done with your novel yet?"

I mean writing a good novel takes time, if you rush it what you write will turn out to be crap!

[Captshady]

- People who think you're lying about working on a novel because you don't want to email them your WIP

- People who think you're writing just so you can fit in at star bucks with your laptop.

[Jennasis]

- People who think you're lying about working on a novel because you don't want to email them your WIP

- People who think you're writing just so you can fit in at star bucks with your laptop.


That's not why everyone writes?

[Bookdragonette]

That's not why everyone writes?

I'd need a Starbucks and a laptop...

[indiriverflow]

This post is getting so big, I don't even have time to go back and see if I've already replied to it! I don't think I have.

My biggest turnoff is something I alluded to in another thread. That is, the "tough love" critiquer.

A tough love critiquer uses that excuse to be a total demeaning asshole. In other words, they don't have to be reasonable or diplomatic, they just say the harshest shit they can. I might add, "blunt" is another red flag.

I was once in a writer's group from hell, and their philosophy was to be as nasty as possible to "toughen you up."

You can tell someone something sucks without getting personal and demeaning. There is such a thing as diplomacy.

The idea is to encourage whoever you critique, not knock them down until they quit.

QFT. Want to be my beta reader?

[*Pudge*]

:crazy: :crazy: SPAMMERS who attack my lovely AW! :Soapbox:

:box: Where is the little punk? :guns:

:e2beat:=*SPAMMER after *pudge* has had a round with him*

Any takers for round 2?

[Charlie Horse]

I haven't read through every post in this thread, but I'll wager this has been mentioned already. If it has, it bears repeating. If it hasn't, allow me to be the first.

People who don't understand how goddamned serious I am about writing. This is not an effing hobby, nor is this something I do in my spare time. I've effed up a lot of things in my life, but writing will not ever be one of them. Every day I work to polish my craft, and every day I try to make myself better. I want to be the best goddamned writer on the planet and I won't rest until I am, which will be never, so I'll never rest. Everything else can go to hell but my writing.

There, does that sound serious enough?

[dwellerofthedeep]

That does indeed sound pretty serious, Charlie Horse.

[DeleyanLee]

Things that turn novel writers OFF...

Being told to write short stories 'cause they're faster to write, sell quicker and will "launch my career as a novelist".

[indiriverflow]

Being told to write short stories 'cause they're faster to write, sell quicker and will "launch my career as a novelist".

Oh, god, I ran into someone I didn't even recognize on the bus and had this conversation. Driver, off please!

A lot of people remember when I wrote my first novel a few years back, so I tend to hate running across my old friends. Everyone wants to know why it didn't get published.

How can I explain that I never even sent a query? That I got bogged down in the editing process and became dangerously depressed?

I rarely discuss my work outside my immediate circle these days. Whenever I do, I become uncomfortable.

[Hillgate]

I'd need a Starbucks and a laptop...

You guys must be loaded. Starbucks AND a laptop? Jees...in my day we used crayons, and then only on Sundays.

[Raynfall]

Lesse, things that turn me off as a Novelist...

1.) People who ask me how I'm going to make a living off of writing. >> Well gee, maybe I'll live in a cardboard box. Or maybe hold a day job? Too much for them to grasp.

2.) People who ask me why I write, and then aren't satisfied when I say "Because I enjoy it." It's not like my dying mentor entrusted me to write with his last breath and I write in his honor. I just enjoy it.

3.) People like JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyers. Only because I'm not them. xD

[Bookdragonette]

You guys must be loaded. Starbucks AND a laptop? Jees...in my day we used crayons, and then only on Sundays.

Every Sunday? We only had them every other month. When we didn't have to eat them.

[Willowmound]

Every Sunday? We only had them every other month. When we didn't have to eat them.

Only eat them? We had to make crayons out of our own poo.

[RunawayScribe]

When people ask what author I try to imitate.

Ugh.

[8thSamurai]

My Dad. I love him to death, and wanted his input on something I was working on (on hold atm).

His only response: 'I hope this isn't autobiographical'.

Yeah, Pop. I'm a 200 year old French prostitute living on the lower east side with a huge reality problem.

[Shweta]

Being told to write short stories 'cause they're faster to write, sell quicker and will "launch my career as a novelist".

...Two out of three ain't bad?

[M.W. Palmer]

People who don't understand how goddamned serious I am about writing.

Thank You.

-------------------------------

Dad: "So what have you been up to?"

Me: "Well, I've decided to become a writer. I had this really cool idea for a fantasy series hit me, and I'm going to pick it up and run with it."

Dad: "Wow! When you get your first book published I'd like a new car and a few new suits."

Me: "Uhh, ok..."

Don't get me wrong. I love my dad to death. If I ever made as much money as [Insert Big Name Author] I'd get him a car, suits, and more without giving it a second thought, but...

[lute]

When my mother raves about how 'talented' I am at writing to family friends who ask her what I'm doing with myself, even though she hasn't read a shred of my writing since eighth grade. If only she knew what I am really writing nowadays ;)

Being told to do something more productive with my time.

Knowing that the only reason my family 'supports' me is because there's a possibility of publishing in the future, which to them is equivalent to profit. Ahahaha, if only they know the truth behind royalties and publishing.

[ccv707]

When someone does not know or acts as if writing is easy. I recently had a fun little challenge with my girlfriend, who had never written anything except essays when she was in school and had never read a single novel in her life (I suppose Oakland high schools didn't have required reading fifteen years ago...). We challenged each other to each write a short story over the course of a week, and we did so. When she asked for advice and help at different parts, she looked at me with these quizzical eyes like she had NO IDEA what writing a story entailed, and afterward she complained how confusing it was to write. I love her, but knowing that grown adults have no idea how to put thought to paper is infuriating to me. You'd think someone who's 30 might, at the very least, have some kind of notion of how important the written word is.

The one positive that came out of it is that I've gotten her to appreciate the written word more, and now I have her reading, first Cormac McCarthy's The Road, then The Old Man and the Sea, and now To Have and Have Not.

[scarletpeaches]

When my mother raves about how 'talented' I am at writing to family friends who ask her what I'm doing with myself, even though she hasn't read a shred of my writing since eighth grade. If only she knew what I am really writing nowadays ;)

Being told to do something more productive with my time.

Knowing that the only reason my family 'supports' me is because there's a possibility of publishing in the future, which to them is equivalent to profit. Ahahaha, if only they know the truth behind royalties and publishing.

Are your family all Ferengi? :eek:

[LAWolf]

"Why don't you write about _________(insert genre/subject you have no interest in)?"

[NeuroFizz]

People who can't understand that constructive criticism is about what they have written, not about them personally. And who feel that anyone who tries to help other writers by engaging in this form of constructive criticism, with direct and to-the-point comments, is an unfeeling asshole who obviously takes precious time out of his/her day for the sole purpose of trashing and screwing over other writers.

[Shurikane]

Lack of feedback. The one thing worse than getting destroyed by critiques is... getting none at all. It's like being left in the dark in a closet and nobody's telling you if there are zombies outside or not.

Lack of support from one's own family. I can understand not seeing writing as a profitable affair and having other likes and priorities in life, but being told by one's own mother to "get a real hobby" is the surefire way to make a writer go postal in a split-second.

Crit me! Crit meeeee! As soon as I tell someone I'm writing a story, I'm demanded a crit on something they have written. Primo: I dislike critting with a passion. I'm not comfortable with giving a crit out of nowhere by request. I want to choose what I crit. Secundo: Most of the time, the manuscript contains an atrocious amount of spelling and grammar mistakes, is timestamped three years ago, and only seven pages of it have been done before the story abruptly cuts off in the middle of a sentence.

"The editors will chew you up and spit out the seeds!" I do not really expect a publisher to read a manuscript with a hand meatgrinder bolted to his desk. A publisher will tell you "you're in" or "you're out" and the story will end there, plain and simple. If the publisher replies with insults and drill sargeant-styled speeches as per the stereotype, then the problem was on the publisher's side and I wouldn't want to deal with such a nasty person anyway.

Reading a book that shouldn't have been published. There is reading a book you don't find interesting, and then there is... Back in my Star Wars reading spree, I had just come off Children of The Jedi, which had been pretty damn swell, only to embark on the Prince Ken Saga. The latter pretty much destroyed every established meta-plotline in its path and left the continuity with a bunch of characters much too close to the MCs for comfort. How that series managed to shell out six books before it was shut down is beyond me...

[misa101]

Being asked to read what I have done so far. UM NO it sucks donkey ass and needs to be edited and re-edited. I am NOT going to be judged based on my draft.

Being told "not to quit my day job". Why would I do that when I haven't made a cent from writing?

The fact that I can not type as fast as I think. *damn you carpel tunnel*

People who talk to me when I am writing. The paper, pen and head phones combined with a look on concentration should be a hint to leave me alone.

[lute]

Are your family all Ferengi? :eek:

Close enough, seriously :ROFL:(or Jewish, LOL)

[KikiteNeko]

Being on auction to four houses and talking to three editors and knowing my MS made it allll the way to the top of the chain only to be passed by the publisher.

*kicks things*

[PoppysInARow]

Working so goddamn hard to be a good writer, slaving away and not getting any respect/conformation of existance/pat on the back from any of your family members/friends/coworkers, then having one of those said friends/family/coworkers decide to write a novel. Everyone pats them on the back and is excited for them, even though they can't string two sentences together. Meanwhile, you're pumping out your sixth novel (Third in a series) and nobodies acknowledges anything you've done.


No, that wasn't specific at all. >_>

[FOTSGreg]

Celebrity or politician tell-all books that the celebrity or politician gets millions for up-front as an advance and there's no possible way they're going to sell enough to even start to make royalties.

That just takes money away from other mid-and-low-list authors IMNSHO.

[SarahMacManus]

I hate it when my (adult) stepson barges into the office and knocks things over to get to the other computer so he can chat with his girlfriend. Mostly what I hate is having to be a bad guy and telling him to GTFO. And mostly what I hate is having to tell him this four times a week.

I hate when I tell a family member I'm writing a(nother) book and they launch into a 20 minute diatribe about their own (nonexistant) writing.

I hate when my husband snidely reminds me that I haven't made any money (yet) out of all this time, yet he persists on buying guitars and practicing and it's way past his sell-by date for a musical career.

I hate when I wake up brimming with energy and ideas and I have to go to the dayjob instead of writing. I hate that I have to use vacation time somedays just to use that up; both energy, ideas and vacation time is limited.

I hate that my mostly grown children still bang on the door and ask what's for dinner, and if I tear myself away to cook, they aren't grateful, they don't even eat it all.

I hate that there's too much advice about HOW to write and it all contradicts each other and I end up huddled in a self-loathing ball, questioning every little word I type.

[Aggy B.]

Readers who promise to read chapters and then bail after the first without telling me if they're too busy or hate it or what.

Having my husband fail to understand for the umpteenth time that the time I spend writing is no more wasted than the hours he spends "researching" crap on eBay. (In other words, it's not profitable this very minute but will pay off in the long run.)

*sigh*

[Maiden]

Things that turn me off...

Being discouraged from writing for a living for years and now feeling like I have to keep it a secret to keep people and their negativity away from me! (I am almost 33, have 3 kids, it isabout time I get to do what I should have been doing all this time)

Sitting down to write and have the baby wake up.

Trying to write with my husband asking me pointless questions or talking to me about something I couldn't care less about.

Having other authors treat me like I am not a real writer.

People critizing my grammar, etc when somethign is in rough stages (or on Message boards where the last thing I am really thinking about is being perfect)

People thinking that because I am a stay at home mom I have all this free time and should be getting mroe done than I am.

When my book isn't doing what I want it to so it sits there for a week in time out.

[Little Bird]

People thinking that because I am a stay at home mom I have all this free time and should be getting mroe done than I am.



Amen to that! There's so much I do, both related to and unrelated to being a mom, but should I really have to list it all to justify my existence to people I've just met or am just acquainted with?

The people who know me well know about all my commitments, they know I have a lot on my shoulders as my husband works very long hours, and they are, for the most part, great people who see what I'm doing and wish they could do some of it for me. God bless them!

As for the others, I just shrug and let them think I'm a lazy free-loader. Sometimes I smile and tell them about my hammock and the chocolate ice-cream cones I enjoy while reclining in it.

I will say, though, that I love being a writer-mom. I have a lot on my schedule, but the schedule is very flexible. I'd never want to give that up.

[Writer-2-Author]

People thinking that because I am a stay at home mom I have all this free time and should be getting more done than I am.
AMEN!

[vrabinec]

Hmm, someone resurrected this thread, eh?

Okay, here's one I haven't seen. Maybe it's just me, and it probably doesn't apply to many people.

I hate the loneliness when I've pushed family and frineds to give me my room so I can write, and then I find myself in one of those odd moods when I don't feel like writing and everyone's off doing something they planned without me. Nobody to talk to. Check some faceless conversations on a message board. Pet the dogs, wondering if it's all worth it. How much time invested already? It couldn't be that many years. Where will it end? Have I been a fool? Silence.

Then it passes, and I stick that loneliness in a character and I'm smiling again. But while it's there.....hmmm

[thothguard51]

Things that turn novel writers OFF...

1...Volunteers who will not work out the kinks with me in the sex scenes. I mean I would use professional models but they cost so much by the hour and I am a slow writer...

2...Other writers who do not have this problem...

3...Repeat #1...

[CAgirlforever]

What bugs me the most is never hearing back from a prospective agent. I get that they're busy, but what about a little courtesy? I can deal with the rejections (still so sad though); at least I know they received my query!

Also, stupid interruptions from people who don't view writing as "real work" because it's not my full-time job. I wish! Hopefully one day in the future...

http://willowwriter.blogspot.com

[MikeGrant]

Twilight.

T.W.I.L.I.G.H.T.

[readitnweep]

Having the perfect idea/line/plot point and one of my kids runs in screaming about Sponge Bob, and I lose said idea/line/plot point completely.

No response.

Battling my kids/husband for computer time so I can type the damn thing.

[vrabinec]

Having the perfect idea/line/plot point and one of my kids runs in screaming about Sponge Bob, and I lose said idea/line/plot point completely.

No response.

Battling my kids/husband for computer time so I can type the damn thing.

I feel your pain. I bugged the hell out of the wife to work a laptop of my very own into the budget for a couple years, and she finally came through. The angels wept.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Zombie threads resurrected by noobs trying to hit the 50-post count.

[Ondi]

Having the perfect idea/line/plot point and one of my kids runs in screaming about Sponge Bob, and I lose said idea/line/plot point completely.

No response.

Battling my kids/husband for computer time so I can type the damn thing.

I even bought my son his own computer. Timing is everything!

[jaksen]

Zombie threads resurrected by noobs trying to hit the 50-post count.

Ahhhhh....

The Devil knows. :D

[Devil Ledbetter]

Ahhhhh....

The Devil knows. :DI welcome our newcomers, even if they do raise zombies.

[Phaeal]

Zombie threads resurrected by noobs trying to hit the 50-post count.

Well, this could indeed be the case here, given the minimal contribution of the necromancer.

Zombie threads tend to annoy me, but then I think of the lambasting that new members risk if they don't search for much-covered topics. On the other hand, if the topic really is THAT much covered, one would expect to see a thread on it younger than six years old.

On the whole, I've been learning to check the date on the OP before proceeding. ;)

Oh, and this IS a resilient zombie. After a first run in 2005, it was revived in 2007, 2008, 2009, and now 2011! Waaaaaiiiiit a minute -- this isn't a zombie thread, it's a CYLON!

[Devil Ledbetter]

On the whole, I've been learning to check the date on the OP before proceeding. ;)I sometimes check the "who posted" to see if I've already replied. Though I suppose after 4 or 5 years my answer might have changed.

[Goldenleaves]

I don't tell people I write, don't work in publishing, am a waitress for goodness sake, and still I get the suggestion now and then I might like to jot down someone's life story.

Maybe I just talk weird or something.

And Spongebob rules. I'll tape it if I'm going to be out.

[Victoria]

Finding a lump on my dog's face and having the vet tell me it's probably cancer.


My dog just had a lump removed from his leg, and I was also told it could be cancer. $150 dollars later, I found out that it was just a fatty deposit. Try not to worry too much. It ain't good fer ya. Best wishes to you both.

[Victoria]

Twilight.

T.W.I.L.I.G.H.T.


Having people seem very interested that I'm writing a novel until they find out what it is about. Then it's.... "Oh." See above quote for the likely reason for this. Dammit.

[Atlantis]

"You should write mills and boons Marisa"
"I don't want to write mills and boons"
"But we saw on television that you can make millions from it!"

"Have you finished your novel yet?"
'Not yet, Mum."
"I don't want to give up. Never give up Marisa!!"
"I won't Mum."
"Ryan gave up his acting. I never want you to do the same."
"I won't Mum."
"I have so much faith in you."
"I know, Mum. Thanks."

[cptwentworth]

I loathe myself when I sit at my desk to write late at night after the kids are finally asleep, and proceed to check my email, check a different email account, follow a link to Facebook, check my answering machine, clean off my desk, add ink to the printer, check out an agent's blog, hunt for my index cards, and then I open my WIP and realize it's 2:30 in the morning and I should have been in bed hours ago. And again, I accomplished nothing.

[semmie]

My sister: Instead of writing my thesis, I should write a novel like you so I don't have to worry about all this research!

Uhm. Yeah, sis. Great idea. :Headbang:

[Sentosa]

...and having to read over the last few pages.
Silly me. Here I'm thinking that's a standard part of picking up after a break. :Shrug:

[Sai]

Relatives who think that because you're a writer, it means you're the perfect candidate to write their life story. Look, I love you uncle Ricky, but no way in hell am I going to shift through your sketchy past and spin it into something that makes you look good. I'd rather just stay ignorant of your shady dealings, thank-you very much. Don't make me choose between writing a sordid, best selling true crime novel or tearing my family apart, because God help me...

[IDGS]

Realizing I just spent twenty minutes of writing time I'll never get back reading this thread in it's entirety, not realizing it's a zed-thread.

Oh well, it was entertaining while it lasted.

[RandR]

when some reads your work and says..."oh you should have a bear kill the family instead of a blizzard. or add [suggestion here] and your book/story will be much better. After reading the first three pages.

That's my family in a whole right there.

Or they ask how the writing is going and you tell them you've submitted to a few places and they give you 'the look' and say "Now what?".

[RedRose]

Not so much a turn off as a piss off: having to write and follow the tedious guidelines every time you submit your ms. I don't care about the double spacing, but each has certain criteria for the title, the header, how many words in the synopsis, how it's spaced, what time of day you have to submit to a contest because you live in Australia.

That's a piss off.

[Charlie Horse]

All the "rules" we need to follow that apparently aren't rules at all but just guidelines. At least that's what I gather from reading best selling authors who get a pass on the rules even though they write crap.

[Charlie Horse]

Oh, and queries. God I hate writing queries.

[IdiotsRUs]

Oh, and queries. God I hate writing queries.


Not as bad as synopseseses.

They are LOKI'S CHILDREN!

[quicklime]

Oh yeah, people who say, "YOU are writing a novel?" then laugh...




I already got "YOU went to college?" and "You two really got married?" so why not go for the turkey......


I find a mix of frustration and hope looking at some of the crap that's gotten published. For one, I will qualify "crap"; what is marketable is a complex equation of things trendy, pace, understandability of the subject matter, character development, etc, and not all books net out in all categories. But when I fear my prose may be a bit strained and then I see Bridges of Madison County, or I worry my sentences might be clumsier than I personally realize, and then i read "Angels and Demons", I take heart in knowing the bar isn't set at an utterly unattainable level.

Personal peeve: folks who assume writing is more about art than it is actual work, and as a consequence they bitch about actually doing it, about critiques, about following any sort of general rules, etc.....

[gp101]

Finding out the surf is too rough today for my 120-foot yacht and will spill the bubbly from the crystal flutes.

I hate when that happens.

[SinisterCola]

When I forgot to charge my iPod before writing. Completely ruins my composure.

[AlwaysJuly]

Having a friend tell me, "Oh, but your writing is just for fun." Really? That's news to me...

Family saying, "You've been writing since you were a kid, you have to write, it's just who you are." They mean well, but seriously? There are other things I could be doing with my time. I write every day because I'm dedicated to it, not because it's so superfun and irresistible to me.

[Phaeal]

All the "rules" we need to follow that apparently aren't rules at all but just guidelines. At least that's what I gather from reading best selling authors who get a pass on the rules even though they write crap.

But take heart! As soon as you're a bestseller, you can write crap, too!

[gothicangel]

My sister: Instead of writing my thesis, I should write a novel like you so I don't have to worry about all this research!

Uhm. Yeah, sis. Great idea. :Headbang:

I watched a programme recently with Ian Rankin talking to his PhD supervisor. He famously started writing his Rebus novels when he was supposed to be writing a thesis on Muriel Spark. The academic turned to him and said:

'You could have handed in that novel, and you'd have been awarded the PhD.'

Gutted!

[tko]

Going to the used book store, picking up a novel that has no plot, no action, no continuity, no characters, with some heavy plagiarism, and wondering how they got published.

[gothicangel]

Going to the used book store, picking up a novel that has no plot, no action, no continuity, no characters, with some heavy plagiarism, and wondering how they got published.

Title? Author?

[OpheliaRevived]

I know this has been said, but it deserves seconds. I hate reading a traditionally published book that I could've written better on my worst day. Not that I'm that great. It's that these books were THAT bad!

I hate writers -- all AWers excluded, of course! -- that are all uppity for no good reason. If you're uppity, then I'll ASSume your novel is and not read it. Hmph.

[quicklime]

My sister: Instead of writing my thesis, I should write a novel like you so I don't have to worry about all this research!

Uhm. Yeah, sis. Great idea. :Headbang:


I've done both, the research I had to do on my thesis was a hell of a lot more, but my novel is a fairly straight-up potboiler and it still took a hell of a lot of research....AND time. I think I'd take up scrotal cutting before I wrote something like Hunt for Red October

[semmie]

I've done both, the research I had to do on my thesis was a hell of a lot more, but my novel is a fairly straight-up potboiler and it still took a hell of a lot of research....AND time. I think I'd take up scrotal cutting before I wrote something like Hunt for Red October
Hehe. Suppose it depends on the novel. And the thesis. And the person. :)

[Phaeal]

I hate writers -- all AWers excluded, of course! -- that are all uppity for no good reason. If you're uppity, then I'll ASSume your novel is and not read it. Hmph.

Whew. Glad I'm so downity.

[Aylaa]

Definitely going with the friends or family who laugh at your efforts to become a novelist

Explaining scifi/fantasy plots to non-readers.

[Aylaa]

doubling your post b/c coffee shop's internet connection goes weak or down.

[Qwerty Harry]

I hate novels where the author describes the sun, trees, sky, etc every 5 sentences.

Example (not from an actual novel but this is the gist of what I'm talking about): "He left the house and walked down the steps. The sun cast slanted shadows across the sidewalk. He started ambling toward the store. The trees made whispery rustles as he walked past them. He entered the store. The bloated clouds lazily floated in the sky. He walked out of the store. The trees' leaves swayed dreamily. He approached the stoop of his house and mounted the stairs; by now the sky had gone from a deep blue to a slightly paler robin's-egg hue. The sun's orange rays glinted on the doorknob as he turned it and stepped into the house."

And blah blah blah. I recently read a novel that did that and it got so annoying and irritating I had to stop reading after 60 pages. I don't need to know what the sky, sun and trees are doing every 5 f*cking minutes!

[redwriter99]

1) Finding out that the "published author" in the office used PublishAmerica, but you can't seem to explain this to anyone

2) After reading your novel you get feedback like, 'this is really good... ... for you.'

3) "Is your book like Twilight? Stephenie Meyer's an awesome writer."

4) Having an agent tell you that your concept is clever, the book is well written at a conference, and to email him in a couple weeks... but he doesn't reply to your emails or ever contact you again.

5) still being a newbie trying to get to 50 posts and ticking off the other AWers like Devil. :)

[Dorothea May]

Allowing something stupid and meaningless to derail me.

[setchmo]

Crickets. Lots of cricket noises after sending off a few chapters for friends to read. Personally I rather hear they didn't like it (and hopefully why) than hear nothing at all. The silence is much worse. Same with Agents.

[nakatsuluver]

Not having the right kind of music.

[donatos]

The thing I hate the most is the concept of marketing storytelling. I absolutely hate putting my work into boxes. I hate having to stand on a line and say this defines me because I feel different a week later. I'm not a sci fi novelist but would like to one day write a novel in the tradition. I've published in horror zines and an anthology but my novel I'm trying to find an agent for is Literary with a commercial bent as is the one I'm writing now. And then there is my love of other forms like poetry and plays. It can all get rather confusing.

[LawlessLara]

Zombie threads resurrected by noobs trying to hit the 50-post count.

No noob bashing.... you were a noob once *says the noob*

[pandora]

A great plot point that disappears as soon as I step out of the shower...

[LoopyLinde]

My friend: You like to write? Awesome, you can write my thesis. It's about.....

You should tell him you charge $50 per hour for a minimum of 8 hours.

[CobraMisfit]

Trying to describe your genre to acquaintances at a party. Waiting through an awkward pause and a questioning look. Then having to explain what "genre" means.

[Said The Sun]

Not having an OFF switch on my brain; trying hard to fall asleep at night to get up at 6AM to go work a job I hate, only to find out, I'm composing the best novel ever in bed. And then of course, waking up drained, completely ridden of inspiration, and painfully forgotten of everything.

When my computer suddenly remembers to perform some arduous scan on the hard drive or install some update forcing every program to stop responding right when I’m in the middle of some valuable point.

And of course, trying to write at work, and all of a sudden every MF in the office has some great story to tell me about that they heard on the news, or the latest wonder their five year old prodigy worked out.

Lastly, people who don't understand the process of publishing, and think that "anyone" can write and publish a book in a couple of months or so.

[MonsterWithPen]

You tell someone you're writing a book, after a couple of days they invite you out and insist on wanting to know why you refuse. You say, "I have to work on my book," and they're like, "Still?"

Uh, no, it totally takes three days for books to finish.

[AVS]

One: "Have you sold your novel yet?"

"Noooooo. God no." Please stop stop asking, it's making me understand slow failure.

Two: But wait, this book's crap. It's crap, childish even, how did he get it published? How? How? Mine is better than that.
I speak to the wind and the wind says naught. Hmm.

Three: Big smile. "I just got represented/published." My teeth grit so hard my ears hurt. But I smile. "Well done." In one sense I mean it, I know I should mean it. I will increase happiness in the universe. But on another darker, sadder, more primative level the forge of envy stamps out new green.

Four: "I think I'll write a novel one day." As though it's as easy as ordering a McDonald's.

[Tepelus]

Crickets. Lots of cricket noises after sending off a few chapters for friends to read. Personally I rather hear they didn't like it (and hopefully why) than hear nothing at all. The silence is much worse. Same with Agents.


I hate that too, and feel the same way. Except the agent part--I've never submitted anything, yet.

[Kate Thornton]

Realizing just how slowly I write.

I know it can take time, but I can knock out good short stories in less than a month. The novel is agonizingly slow. Even worse when I decide a plot point is weak and have to re-write several thousand words...


..

[crunchyblanket]

Explaining what you're writing to your mother in law, who has only ever read Mary Jane Staples books and thinks sci-fi is something vaguely demonic. And the polite, strained nod that follows.

[FOTSGreg]

Not having time to write while at work despite the useless meaningless uses of my time I have to endure and wade through because of corporate policy or some stupid manager's vision that I don't have enough to do already at work. Even my supposed lunch hour and break (of the 2 I am due I usually get 1) are almost always interrupted by some idiot asking "What are you doing?"

Doh!

WTF do you think I'm doing sitting in the break room typing or scribbling on a stack of paper you doofus?

I don't mean I'd steal rime, but that's an hour and a half stolen from me every day.

[darkangel77]

Ohh yeah...when people find out I'm writing a novel, and they ask me what it's about. Can't give them the whole plot summary so I have to quickly think of a brief 1 or 2 sentence summary to describe it.

Also, I told a friend of mine what my story was about. I said it was an urban fantasy, and immediately, she said "Oh so it's like Twilight?" :X Another one asked me if it was like Avatar after I said I had an MC with blue skin color...but he's not an alien! And I remember sitting there going "Ahhh! But I'm not done describing it! It's not like Twilight or Avatar!" So yeah.

Or when my parents know I'm writing a novel, they couldn't care less and keep telling me it's a waste of time unless I get it published.

[Phaeal]

Ohh yeah...when people find out I'm writing a novel, and they ask me what it's about. Can't give them the whole plot summary so I have to quickly think of a brief 1 or 2 sentence summary to describe it.

The one-two sentence summary is your "elevator pitch," which you will need when you start marketing. Might as well practice it now. ;)

It's a good idea not to let nonwriters know you're writing. They are always at a sad loss what to say and so fall back on the current bestseller in a mistaken attempt to compliment you. Plus they NEVER understand how long the writing and marketing and publishing processes take and will bug you to death with their well-intended but premature queries of "Are you done/agented/under contract/published" yet?"

To be fair, blue skin is going to get you "Oh, Avatar!" Unless you're talking to someone classy, who says "Oh, Krishna!"

:D

[The_Ink_Goddess]

The one-two sentence summary is your "elevator pitch," which you will need when you start marketing. Might as well practice it now. ;)

It's a good idea not to let nonwriters know you're writing. They are always at a sad loss what to say and so fall back on the current bestseller in a mistaken attempt to compliment you. Plus they NEVER understand how long the writing and marketing and publishing processes take and will bug you to death with their well-intended but premature queries of "Are you done/agented/under contract/published" yet?"

To be fair, blue skin is going to get you "Oh, Avatar!" Unless you're talking to someone classy, who says "Oh, Krishna!"

:D

Very true. When people see me with my laptop, I now say, "Oh, yeah, I'm...doing homework."

1) That awesome idea that surfaces at 3AM when I can't possibly get out of bed.
2) The awareness of how juvenile and naive "I want to be a writer" sounds.
3) The idea that "writing" is not a career choice.
4) Non-answering agents. Seriously, I'd take a form rejection over no answer.
5) Thinking of how I'd describe my WIP to my friends/family and imagining the looks of horror/confusion/suppressed laughter on their faces.
6) The one I am most guilty of - getting about 75% of the way through a novel and then getting a new idea, becoming convinced that new idea is way shinier and better, and ditching the old one.

[Goldenleaves]

"Would I have to be a teacher if I went to college? Couldn't I do anything else?"

"No you couldn't. You could be a teacher."

(Actual conversation with teacher)

"I might like to be writer."

"You couldn't do that. You'd be a good teacher."

I don't regret not going to college. the teachers were probably the same there too.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Beta crickets.

[Prawn]

Beta crickets.
I'll make a deal with the devil, if you've got something to beta. You might prefer the sound of the crickets, though, if I end up saying it's bad.

As far as things that turn me off, it is my wife not being interesting in reading my writing. The devil has more interest in it than she does.

[Victoria]

"Would I have to be a teacher if I went to college? Couldn't I do anything else?"

"No you couldn't. You could be a teacher."

(Actual conversation with teacher)

"I might like to be writer."

"You couldn't do that. You'd be a good teacher."

I don't regret not going to college. the teachers were probably the same there too.

Similar issue. I tell folks I'm getting my English degree, and they say, "Oh, you're going to be a teacher?" Sigh...probably. :e2thud:

[Prawn]

Similar issue. I tell folks I'm getting my English degree, and they say, "Oh, you're going to be a teacher?" Sigh...probably. :e2thud:

I am a teacher. It gives you lots of time for writing!

And you know what? Teachers have health insurance, and dental plans, and retirement plans. Most writers don't.

[Victoria]

Good points, Prawn. I just hate feeling like I have no choice because there aren't many career opportunities for English majors. I chose English because I love literature, and I love to write, not because I want to teach. I guess it's the assumption that irks me more than anything, and the feeling of being so limited. You have my deepest respect, by the way. What you do can't be appreciated enough. I mean that. Thank you.

[Prawn]

Good points, Prawn. I just hate feeling like I have no choice because there aren't many career opportunities for English majors. I chose English because I love literature, and I love to write, not because I want to teach. I guess it's the assumption that irks me more than anything, and the feeling of being so limited. You have my deepest respect, by the way. What you do can't be appreciated enough. I mean that. Thank you.

Looked at another way, writing is teaching. You are teaching people about other places and times, showing truths about the human condition, showing what is thrilling or beautiful or ugly in life.

Anyone who has read a book has learned something. So writers teach.

Teaching in a classroom is just a different way of doing it, one with a dental plan.

P

[amkuska]

Or when my parents know I'm writing a novel, they couldn't care less and keep telling me it's a waste of time unless I get it published.

My parents pointed this out. I pointed out that as long as I was on my laptop tapping away at my wannabe best seller, I wasn't doing drugs, joining a gang, or becoming another teen pregnancy statistic.

The comments abruptly switched from waste of time to, "And how is your novel coming?"

^^

[Rhonda9080]

[QUOTE=aadams73;379594]People who call/knock on door because they don't think writing is a "real job".



This one dude. I can relate! Ah crap - phone ringing again! Gotta go!

[maestrowork]

Yeah, I get that all the time: Writing a novel while sitting at Starbucks is not a real job.

[Prawn]

Yeah, I get that all the time: Writing a novel while sitting at Starbucks is not a real job.

It is a real job, but it's not a real office.

I do all my best writing in the strip clubs, although the lap dances interfere with my typing.

[Phaeal]

It is a real job, but it's not a real office.


Starbucks, and Seattle's Best, and You-Name-The-Cafe-(As-Long-As-It-Has-WiFi) ARE the new office buildings. I see not only writers setting up shop in them, but also artists (yes, paints and clay and all), tutors, photographers, wedding planners, financial advisors, and entrepreneurs of all kinds.

Basically, anyone who needs a safe place to meet clients but can't afford an actual office.

Writers aren't usually meeting clients. They just need the caffeine and atmosphere. ;)

[maestrowork]

Yup... I went to a Panera Bread the other day and marveled at the number of people "working" there as an office. They meet their clients there. They conduct business calls. They use the wifi to do work....

In fact, my favorite Starbucks has been the BEST office I've ever had. Big windows, comfy chairs, nice views, and just the right climate control. Plus free refills...