Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Optional Monthly Question: What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?
I once had someone tell me they didn’t want to read my book because it wasn’t available in hardcover, but that was just the once. I don’t think that guy even reads. I think he felt he needed an excuse not to read my book, though I never told him I wrote one. My mother told him… Oh well.
I guess for me, the most annoying two questions I get is, “Is it really that hard to write a book?” or “Why don’t you get a publisher?” I don’t think I’ve actually tried to answer either of these questions in at least seven years. Now, when someone asks me one of those questions I tell them, “You’re not ready to talk to me about my writing.” Sure, I get strange looks, but at least I don’t have to provide a long explanation to someone who barely reads anyway.
On the flip side, my two favorite questions are, “Where did you get the idea to write that?” and “What made you decide to start writing?” Both of these questions seem to express a genuine interest in the subject of the question.
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December’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was Raimey Gallant. Be sure to stop by and check her out, if you have a chance.
The IWSG Book Club book for December/January is: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The discussion for this starts January 23rd and I’m ready. I finished the book a while back but still haven’t posted my review. Hope to get that done this weekend.
Be sure to stop by the IWSG blog today to see the announcement of the anthology winners. I submitted a story, along with a bunch of other people. If I make the cut great. If not, I can add the story I submitted to the collection I’ve been working to release later this year. Either way, it’s a win for me.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
My 2018 ended a lot nicer than I expected and I am very blessed coming into the new year. I got caught up on all my unposted book reviews and managed to decorate for the season with plenty of time to actually enjoy the decorations. I even got to do a little baking.
I have several WIPs going but I figured I’d wait til next month to get into all that when I discuss my reading challenge as well. One thing I do want to mention is that I’d like to feature more authors on this blog this year. I used to feature authors all the time but stopped for some reason. If you think you might be interested in being featured on this blog, check out my sign-up form here. Also, check out this form if you are interested in a video interview.
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What questions do you often get about your writing?
I wish everyone a happy and fulfilling New Year!
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Patricia Lynne,
Lisa Buie-Collard,
Kim Lajevardi, and
Fundy Blue!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #50).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
30 replies on “#IWSG January 2019: Dreaded Questions”
I love the genuine interest questions. There are just too many of the ones where people want to know when you’re getting rich enough to take them all to Hawaii.
Yeah, if that day ever comes, there will be a 10 question quiz required before they can obtain their ticket. 😉 He he. Seriously, I love talking about writing with some one who actually wants to talk about writing.
Happy New Year!
When someone asks me why I write, I don’t even try to explain because they wouldn’t understand anyway unless they were an editor, agent, publisher, or another writer. I save myself the time of trying to convince someone who would leave behind frustration within me.
However, when someone asks me about my characters and where I get my stories and I see or feel the interest, I am like a water fountain and I can talk forever.
Wishing you much success Toi for 2019. Have a great year.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Happy New Year, Pat. Thanks bunches for stopping by.
It’s nice to talk about writing when there is real interest. It’s almost better than writing, when the conversation is good.
Happy New Year Toi. I love how you turned your post around into two positive questions as well. It is fun to talk about where the ideas come from. I don’t have a lot of people ask me about why I write. I think mostly, people wonder where I find the time. Good luck with all your writing goals 🙂
I never get that question, but it’s a good one. Where do we all find the time to write?
Best wishes with your writing goals as well.
Fun fact. I didn’t receive the IWSG email this past month for some reason. I’ve checked everywhere. Thank you so much for telling me. I went and found it on the IWSG site, and it’s so lovely! I failed at some baking in the past couple of weeks, lol. 🙂 Happy IWSG Day, Toi!
Congrats on your spotlight. Glad you finally got to see it.
I could write a book about all my baking fails, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years.
Cheers to better baking in 2019. Happy IWSG Day!
Wouldn’t read it just because it wasn’t in hardback? That seems snobby.
Yeah, he kind of said it in a snobby way too. He was laughing and smiling, but it was really weird.
Is it really that hard to write a book? Yikes! I do love your response about them not being ready to talk about your writing. I’ll have to keep that one in mind!
It amazes me that some people think reading is hard and takes too much time, yet somehow assume that writing is easy.
My sister said the same thing about not reading ebooks. It hurt, but that’s family for you. Mine in any case. Have a great 2019.
Anna from elements of emaginette
My family doesn’t really read, period. Except for my mom, grandmother, and aunt, but they don’t really read the genres I write. Still, I’m blessed that my mom is my biggest advocate. The rest of the family is still waiting to get their nonexistent free ebooks or paperbacks.
Hope you have a joyful and happy year. Happy IWSG. Question just too tired to talk about it. lol.
Thanks for stopping by, Juneta. Happy New Year!
“Is it really that hard to write a book?” Right up there with “Why’s it taking so long to write your book?” Love your response, Toi! I’m glad that 2018 finished well for you and that you had an enjoyable holiday season. It was our traveling Christmas tree for Terry and me this year. The poor thing is getting a lot of traveling in during the past few years. All the best to you in 2019!
Thank you so much for stopping by. I honestly thought I had replied to this already, but I guess all the comments I made this day didn’t stick. :/ All the best to you too in 2019.
Love the attitude!! People that aren’t really interested in reading can be so frustrating (or worse). Often they want a free copy but never read anything they are given. Totally endorse those favourite questions.
Thank’s for your endorsement 😉 Sorry if it seems it took me so long to respond. I did actually respond a long time ago, but for some reason, all my comments from Jan 3 are missing.
Because it wasn’t ‘hardcover?’ Geeze! I went to Lisa Scottoline’s book launch the last time she was in my city. (If she ever comes to your town, go see her.) So Lisa tells a story about being in an airport news store, watching a guy looking through the suspense novels. Lisa pulls her book off the rack and says to him, “Maybe you’ll like this one.” He replies, “I don’t read books written by women.” After he left, she bought her own book, signed it, found him at his gate and gave it to him. Lisa is a better person than me. The only thing I would have given him is the stink eye.
Great positive questions, Toi! I could learn from you.
I’m with you. Don’t think I would have given him a copy of my book. Sorry if it seems I took so long to respond. I did actually respond a long time ago, but a bunch of my comments are now missing; not sure why. Thanks so much for stopping by.
No one has ever asked me that question about how hard it is to write a book. What I get is “I’m going to write a book one of these days.” To which I nod and wish them luck! Happy New Year, Toi!
Happy New Year C. Lee! Not sure where my original comment has disappeared to, but I want to say thanks for stopping by.
So glad 2018 ended well for you. On to 2019. Sending good wishes that it’s even better.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for the new year wishes. I wish you the best in 2019 as well. I had posted a comment before, but it’s disappeared.
Usually the people who never intent to buy my books always just tell me “I’ll be back”. Rarely do they actually come back. I guess for them that’s less awkward but it kinda makes them into a liar. =P
Yeah, that’s weird, but it’s what people do. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I replied a while back, but for some reason a bunch of my comments have disappeared.
Good luck with your works in progress and here’s hoping for a much happier 2019! 🙂
Thank you. Hope you have a happy 2019 as well.