Top 5 Questions I Get Asked When I Introduce Myself As An Author

Top 5 Questions I Get Asked When I Introduce Myself As An Author

So, I’ve been trying to get myself “out there” more often lately, and not just as an author but as a person. I worry I am a little too anti-social at times, so I made the effort to try to be out in the world more often than not. I got a day job (joy), I’ve made a few acquaintances, and actually had a few outings with new friends. And during these excursions, the topic of my books will sometimes come up. When someone new overhears that I actually have published books, they usually have questions. Some are simple, like “how’d you do it?” and “what do you write about?” while others are a bit more complicated.

I’ve been “interviewed” by quite a few people now about what it’s like doing what I do. And I’ve noticed a few certain questions pop up more than once or twice by different people.

I felt kind of funny having to answer these questions, since I worry about seeming obnoxious and arrogant sounding. I always feel snooty whenever I talk about what I do, mainly because they make fun of artists on TV who like to talk about their art. “Wow, Jim won’t shut up about his drawings. What an obnoxious douche.” I don’t want to be that guy, so I try to be as humble as possible whenever the topic comes up. But, as I said, these questions come up a lot and I thought it’d be fun to put them up here, along with my personal answers.

If you’re an author as well, feel free to comment your own answers to these questions!

Here are the top five questions I get asked as an author by non-writers (in no particular order):

1. How do you come up with ideas for stories?

My answer: You know when you get bored and start daydreaming about random stuff? Pretty much like that.

2. If you’re a published author, why are you working a day job?

My answer: Well, just because I’m published doesn’t mean anything. I have bills to pay, food to buy just like everyone else. Unless you’re selling a hundred or so copies a day you’re going to be struggling without one.

3. How do you get yourself to sit down and just start writing?

My answer: Geez, I don’t know. It just sort of… happens, ya know? I sit down at the computer, and the next thing I know I’ve got Microsoft Word open and I’m going at it.

4. If you’re self-published how do you get paperbacks?

My answer: An awesome site called CreateSpace.

And finally…

5. Have you ever tried to get your book turned into a movie?

My answer: I don’t really have any connections in that industry, so there’s nothing I can really do to make it happen. All I can do is pray the right person reads and likes my book and pushes for it.

Have a different answer to these questions, or have a question of your own you’d like to ask? Leave a comment below, and I’ll reply the best I can!

-Michael