The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is a place to share and encourage, where writers can express their doubts and concerns without appearing foolish or weak. It's a great place to mingle with like minded people each month during IWSG day.
Every month there's an optional question which may prompt folks to share advice, insights, a personal experience or story. Some folks answer the question in their IWSG blog post or let it inspire them if they're struggling with what to say.
This month's question is:
"What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about writing?"
Check out how people have answered this month's question, as well as the other insecurities and writing topics they may have shared by visiting the IWSG sign-up list here. You can see how I answered the question below.
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"I'd like to ask you some questions if you don't mind," Simon said with a smile on his face. "But first, let me get you a cup of coffee."
Actually, that's not what he said at all. First of all, he's a very large and very grumpy gray cat. I don't think I've ever seen what passes as the feline equivalent of a smile on his face. Scowls, sure, I've seen plenty of them. And considering his lack of opposable thumbs, getting me a cup of coffee was out of the question, even if he wanted to, which is highly doubtful.
Here's what really happened.
"Hey, wake up, lady," Simon said, standing on my chest and batting me on the nose with his paw. "You gotta answer some questions. But first, get me a saucer of full-fat milk."
After I rubbed some anti-bacterial cream into the scratches he had left on my nose and given him his dairy fix, I reluctantly sat on the couch and prepared for Simon's interrogation.
"Question #1 - why do you write such stupid books? I mean come on, books about a stupid lady who believes in alien abduction. No one wants to read that nonsense."
I ignored this question and filled up my coffee cup.
Simon growled. "Hey, lady, I'm not finished. Question #2 - how much money do you make selling books?"
"Not enough," I said.
"Then you're going to have to get a job at Walmart," Simon said. "I have needs."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You need cat food, catnip, and milk. Maybe you should be the one getting a job."
"Cats don't work. That's why we have humans - to take care of us." Simon jumped on my lap. "Question #3 - how come nobody wants to buy your books? Oh, wait, I can answer that - cause your books are stupid."
I shoved Simon off my lap. "Hey, people buy my books."
"Your mom doesn't count," Simon said while sharpening his claws on one of my throw pillows.
"You know what I think would sell really well?" Simon stared at me blankly. "A book about a cat who never got to have full-fat milk again."
Simon narrowed his eyes and hissed. Then he hacked up a hairball on the throw pillow he had just shredded. I sighed. There wasn't going to be enough coffee to get through this day.
* * *
It's strange. For some reason, I don't like telling people how many books I've sold or how much money I've made writing. Considering I freely share how much we spend each month on our blog, you'd think that wouldn't bother me, but for some reason it does. Maybe if one day, I sell a million books or make a million dollars, that will change, but for now, I do my best to change the subject when people ask me about sales or income.
There are questions that people ask which I'm happy to answer - like how I went about publishing my cozy mysteries and what publishing route I took (you can find all sorts of posts on the subject over on my author blog), why I enjoy cozy mysteries, and if I can feature their pet in an upcoming book (three of my friends' dogs are going to make an appearance in Poisoned by the Pier). Of course, I certainly never mind when anyone asks where they can buy a copy of my book. :-)
What kinds of questions do people ask you that you wish they wouldn't? How do you answer them? What kind of questions do you love getting?
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