Why Writing Fiction Is Harder Than People Think

I like to write in empty fields and abandoned buildings, so people don’t interrupt me with stupid questions.

Every author has heard this line at least once:

“I’ve got this great idea for a book.”

Whenever we hear those words, we paste on a polite smile while slowly dying inside, because we know what’s coming next.

“And if I could just find someone to write it, it’d be a guaranteed bestseller.”

Um, no. If ideas and concepts were what made books sell, thenMake Your Own Sex Toysshould’ve hit the...