The Way People Talk To Writers

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As a writer, I often get people asking me about my writing, ideas, etc. Sometimes the conversation is friendly and intelligent but other times it is less so. 1/. Immediate assumptions that I’m a professional writer. – No, in fact I am unemployed. I occasionally sell stories, poems articles and the occasional book but not enough to get me off welfare. Rather than saying I’m out of work however, I often declare myself a writer. I am obviously not rich as other members of the public sometimes assume too. 2/. Immediate assumptions that I’m famous. – No, like most writers, I am rarely recognized and my writing may be too niche to ever allow me to be a best-seller. 3/. I am happy to talk about my writing, and sign my books except when dining out or using the lavatory, etc. 4/. No, just because I work with someone (when employed or volunteering) I am not giving them a free or heavily discounted copy of my writings. 5/. Asked where my ideas come from, I reply from life and everywhere. We all have ideas. Every choice we make is an idea. 6/. Asked why I don’t write like J K Rowling, I reply ‘because she already does that.” 7/. I don’t mind telling anyone what writing projects I am working on, but not in too much detail. 8/. Asking me how a book I am writing is going on, I don’t mind until it is asked mechanically every time they see me. 9/. Being given ideas for my next book assumes I have no plans or ideas of my own, and the given ideas are often borrowed from other writers, film or TV shows too. 10/. Many gush about buying my book, and even browse copies, but never actually buy a copy. 11/. I don’t know how many copies my current publisher sells for me. They do not notify me of each and every sale. Royalty payment is often per annum, not sale by sale. 12/. Told I don’t look like a writer ??? No idea what a typical writer look like an in fact I look very much like Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. 13/. I dislike people who are dismissive of the genres I say I write in, as if that is not proper writing, whatever that is. 14/. Media people often promise me interviews that never materialize or fail to go out on time. 15/. Some event organizers overcharge attendees, leading to low attendance and rarely share the event proceeds with myself and other writers attending. 16/. Sometimes if seen in pubs or shops I am told that this won’t get my books written, when in fact observing and interacting with people is part of the writing. 17/. People see me writing notes expect me to share my writings with them. No. 18/. Other writers sometimes try to show off by feeling the Muse there and then and having to write. It is just pretentious and insincere. I never do it. Arthur Chappell