When you tell people you’re a writer is a surprisingly good conversation starter. Below, I’ve compiled a list of stuff people usually say to me, either after they find out I write, or while I’m actually trying to get some writing done. 😛
- Can I be in your next book? Can I be the one who saves everybody and stuff?
- I’m trying to write a book too, but I have no ideas. What should I write about?
- Y’know, writing doesn’t pay the bills. Don’t make this your day job.
- You really shouldn’t try to write a whole novel just yet. I tried it once, and it’s too hard. You should stick to just short stories.
- I’m not a writer myself or anything, so I can’t say I know what I’m talking about, but *dispenses bad advice about writing, really doesn’t know what they’re talking about*
- Don’t write a novel now – wait until you’re older. All the best authors were already adults when they got published.
- Wow, you type really fast!
- Allie, would you please put your phone down and stop texting at the table? It’s so impolite! *rants about teenagers being super-glued to their phones*
- Why do you keep writing in that diary all the time?
- I heard of this really cool thing called NaNoWriMo. It happens every … December, I think. You should totally check it out.
- Oh hey, long time no see. Are you still writing books and stuff?
- This writer thing is just a phase, right?
- Can I write your book with you? I want to be famous too!
- Your mom told me you’re trying to write the next great American novel…. Dawww, that’s so cute!
- …When you become rich and famous like Stephen King / J.K. Rowling / George R.R. Martin / Cassandra Clare / Stephanie Meyer / Suzanne Collins….
- Oh, are you writing the next Harry Potter?
- Oh, are you writing the next Percy Jackson?
- Oh, are you writing the next Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys?
- Oh, are you writing the next Hunger Games?
- Allison, since you published your book, can you help me publish this Star Wars fanfiction I’ve been working on for the past eight years?
- I bet you’ve sold a million copies of your book already! You must be rich!
- What? You can’t afford [expensive thing]? Why not use the money you earned from selling your books?
- I found this really cool writing contest that a million young writers enter in each year. It’s really famous so you should totally enter. There’s a $50 entry fee, but the grand prize winner can win a $25 gift card to Kindle!
- Don’t waste your life on that silly writing stuff. Go pursue a career in STEM. We need more women in these fields!
- You wrote a book? Wow, how old are you?
- I can’t believe I know with a real, live author who’s only *teen years old!
- Are you writing an original story? Because my sister’s nephew, who’s your age, only writes these dreadful fanfiction things.
- Can I read your manuscript? … Aw, why not? … But I thought we were friends!
- Hey, since you’re a writer, can you help me write this [non-fiction-related thing]?
- *Random (usually pessimistic) comparison to Christopher Paolini, or other kid-authors*
- So, are you still trying to write that novel?
What sort of unusual writerly conversation tidbits have you heard? Share ’em below! 🙂
haha! Pretty much sums it up, I think. There’s always the “What made you decide to start doing that?” or the awkward, “Oh, that’s . . . cool. Ahem, gotta go. Bye!” 😉
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