Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

For me: Generally it's the casual "what's your book about?" question on the street that gets my hackles up. "Lessee... 392 pages summed up for you? Going somewhere? Have a seat."

Lately, though, it's the "What writers influenced you?" question. Ummm, all of them? Like I'd have just one or two? "Yeah, that guy. Wanna be him." Seems shallow to answer with one or two names. Everything and everyone influences me constantly. It's a legit question, I suppose, but I never know how to answer without being short.

What's the question/s that prickle you?

How long did it take you to write the novel?

The romantic adventure memoir?
A looooong time... a very long time.

larry rose wrote: "How long did it take you to write the novel?

The romantic adventure memoir?
A looooong time... a very long time."

And do you include research, and the editing time, too? Would they even understand either issue? Prob not. :)

For me, the time put on research is at least as much as the time I put on writing, as I want to have all my facts straight. Since I write mostly science-fiction and alternate history, I also take the time to draw and sketch in detail the ships, aircraft or other equipment featured in my novels, so that my descriptions are consistent (you don't want the bridge of your fancy spaceship situated on the upper deck at page 8, then to say it is on the median deck two chapters later. Readers tend to find that annoying). Drawing is also part of the fun of writing for me.

As for editing time, it takes much less long as the research time or writing time, but it still is important to be careful and thorough about it.

I'd have to say that if the question is genuine, and the person asking is engaged in the conversation, then I'm always happy to answer.
The question(s) asked, when it feels apparent that the person is merely asking for a contribution to their sensory overload while they check their messages, and Facebook page, *and* the sports pages, etc... those are the questions that tend to bring an edge to my voice. Truth be told, I respond the same way if those questions have nothing to do with a book I've written.

Brian wrote: "I'd have to say that if the question is genuine, and the person asking is engaged in the conversation, then I'm always happy to answer.

Agree, mostly. Like I said, it's the casual question that's troublesome. "Oh, you wrote a book? That nice. What's it about?"
Bad shit happens, then good shit happens.

Some of the formal interviews I've had ask this question: "Describe your writing style." I have no clue how to answer this. I tap keys on a keyboard. They make words. Some of them are interesting. :)

A lot of times when I am someplace where I have time to kill (i.e. doctor's waiting room, airport, etc.) I will pull out paper and pen and usually a printed out copy of the chapter I'm working on and start writing in the margins and between the lines. Everyone around me is usually head down on their phones. But often I'll get asked, "Are you grading papers?" I'm usually honest and say, "No, I'm writing a novel," but one of these days I'm going to say, "Yes," flip to the first page and write a giant "F" across it and mumble what a piece of s**t it is, just to see what their reaction is. ;)

The conversation starts out nicely enough...

THEM: "Oh, you write books?!"
ME: …okay, cool so they sound kind of impressed...that's good, right?
THEM: "So, like what are they about?"
ME: Deer in the headlights expression
ME: Mind blank
ME: My mind is just a large, blank sheet of white paper or the largest, blankest wall...ever...
ME: ...I was just writing part of a chapter this afternoon! Why can't I remember literally anything about my books right now???!
ME: Sigh. Not again.

Keegan wrote: "The conversation starts out nicely enough...

THEM: "Oh, you write books?!"
ME: …okay, cool so they sound kind of impressed...that's good, right?
THEM: "So, like what are they about?"

Essssactly. :)

Why do you write?

Rolls eyes.

I feel like asking "why don't you write?"

"Are you working on another book?" when I've just published the last one and I'm trying to promote it!

I try to limit myself to one entry per thread, unless engaged directly, but I feel compelled to offer an anecdote... this happened today.
A nice lady, being friendly, asked "So, what's your book about?" My blank stare was justified. My latest book was. in. her. hand.
What could I do? I confess that I am not an extrovert. I smiled as warmly as I could manage (which is when sensible people run) and reached for my book while offering to read it to her.
I'm not sure which of us felt more uncomfortable at that point.

Brian wrote: A nice lady, being friendly, asked "So, what's your book about?" My blank stare was justified. My latest book was. in. her. hand.

That. Is. So. Awesome. !
I'd probably chuckle like a madman and offer to sign it. After she ran and the police came to arrest the crazed lunatic... I'd laugh some more.

MY FRIENDS: So, how many pages is your book gonna be?
ME: Oh, I dont know it's still a working progress but I'm at 100 pages at the moment
THEM: Damn, that's long
ME: ...uhmm, yea...
THEM: So how long does it take?
ME: A long time...

I am so happy that people are interested enough in my work and me to ask me a question that I don't mind any of them. :)

Just a bit annoyed that people always want to know where they can get it for free.

Alicia wrote: "Just a bit annoyed that people always want to know where they can get it for free."

Tell them its free for a one time donation. :)

Jeff wrote: "Brian wrote: "I'd have to say that if the question is genuine, and the person asking is engaged in the conversation, then I'm always happy to answer.

Agree, mostly. Like I said, it's the casual q..."

Agree, mostly. Like I said, it's the casual question that's troublesome. "Oh, you wrote a book? That nice. What's it about?"
Bad shit happens, then good shit happens.

I love this response.

My most hated question is "Have you thought about making your book into a movie/television show?" (I live in the heart of "movie country" in Georgia.)

Anne wrote: "My most hated question is "Have you thought about making your book into a movie/television show?" (I live in the heart of "movie country" in Georgia.)"

Nice. I worked at Blackhall Studios for a few months.
And, yeah... like most of us hadn't dreamed of our story on the big screen. I suppose there are purests who wouldn't, but I suspect for most of us, the answer is "duh."

Cphe wrote: "Does anyone donate a copy to their local library or aged care facility?"

This is a lovely idea! I think everyone should consider doing this!

Mine has to be how do you spell your name, it’s really not that complicated IMO though! 🤣

"Do you make a lot of money selling your books?"

People naturally assume that because we write books that we're rich and that we sell tons of copies a month. Not only is this the furthest thing from the truth with me but I get annoyed when people are let down by my response. It's as if they are disappointed or whatever by my lack of sales..like how do you think I feel person?! I know it's just ignorance on their part because they don't know our business but it still gets me.

"Can I buy your books in book stores?"

This one bugs me because again they assume im rich or well enough off that I can have my books in stores all over the country. At one time I had copied of my book in a local bookstore but that's as good as its gonna get. Yet friends will literally go into a bookstore or Wal-Mart and text me asking if my books are there..like why would anyone think that?
I don't know but again it's a question I hate getting asked and hate answering and explaining.

I donate every book I can no longer keep to the library.

Justin wrote: ""Do you make a lot of money selling your books?"

People naturally assume that because we write books that we're rich and that we sell tons of copies a month. Not only is this the furthest thing fr..."

People see that places like supermarkets sell books, so they can't understand why everyone 's book isn't there.
Similarly with money. Which authors do people know about? Those selling thousands of books. They never hear about the likes of most of us who sell few books.
On TV and radio, it's the well-known that are talked about and promoted. You never hear an interview with an unknown and unrecognised author. Always the prestigious prize winners or celebrities who are supposed to have written a book. (Maybe they have actually written it, but I'm sceptical. I think they just might have used a ghost writer.) and those already well-known.
So it's unsurprising they assume all writers are making toms of money.

Cphe wrote: "Does anyone donate a copy to their local library or aged care facility?"

Alicia wrote: "Just a bit annoyed that people always want to know where they can get it for free."

I've seriously considered it, but the library is closed until further notice, and has been for a long time, thanks to something called 'The pandemic'!
I'll probably do so when it's all over, whenever that may be.

Excellent post. So true. Money is not the reason for writing.

Gordon wrote: "Cphe wrote: "Regardless of how you feel about the quality of the questions, at least they are asking you / showing an interest in your novel.

They could on the other hand ask about or purchase a n..."

Gordon wrote: "Cphe wrote: "Regardless of how you feel about the quality of the questions, at least they are asking you / showing an interest in your novel.

They could on the other hand ask about or purchase a n..."

Not necessarily, though. Buy your book, I mean. Friends and acquaintances ask me, but they've not bought the books, or they'd say more than 'How's the writing going?' Surely they'd say 'I read your last book (or whichever one) and...'
Unless, perhaps they hated it, of course.

My "favorite" hated question is: Why aren't you famous? Some wonderful follow up questions include: Do you know JK Rowling? And- When will you become famous? Or - But are you like a real author or just one of those people who write books?

Depending on the person I sometimes reply with: Yes, actually I am famous. I can't believe that you haven't heard of me yet.

Cphe wrote: "Does anyone donate a copy to their local library or aged care facility?"

I donated my first book to the local library where I lived in NC, where the stories are set. Years later I let them know from FL the next in series is available and they bought it :) I hear it's well used :)

Amy wrote: "My "favorite" hated question is: Why aren't you famous? Some wonderful follow up questions include: Do you know JK Rowling? And- When will you become famous? Or - But are you like a real author or ..."
It takes my self-control not to reply to that, "if readers like you would post reviews on Amazon..."

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
Bernard Baruch (Author/Financier/Statesman) 1870 - 1965

Nancy wrote: "Cphe wrote: "Does anyone donate a copy to their local library or aged care facility?"

I donated my first book to the local library where I lived in NC, where the stories are set. Years later I let..."

Well done. That's great.

Amy wrote: "My "favorite" hated question is: Why aren't you famous? Some wonderful follow up questions include: Do you know JK Rowling? And- When will you become famous? Or - But are you like a real author or ..."

What do people think an author is?

For me it’s the money question. I’m okay with it if it’s an author trying to learn more about indie publishing, but I hate it when someone wants to equate the amount of money I earn with the value of my work.

Not so long ago the title published author could only be applied to a few hundred thousand living writers. Today, due to the proliferation of personal computers, literary websites, and self-publishing venues, the title can be legitimately utilized by literally millions of writers.

Most avid readers have only read works by traditionally published authors who have achieved considerable commercial success and notoriety. Self-publishing is an alien concept to them. So, try to understand the viewpoint of those asking questions that you may find irritating or even offensive. They are not intended to be either.

To me this is quite obvious! A case of jealousy! Is the person asking the question an author? Here's a question you could throwback to them: Not sure what day I will become famous but I'm wondering when you were going to write your 1st book? lol

Ask for asking if I donate a coffee to the library? I had not thought about it so the answer is no however I did give several copies of away to people who had lost their jobs but wanted to read it. And as others have said, I did not decide to you start writing to become rich! (smiling)

"Are you finished with your book yet?" LOL