If you like (or love) a writer

Within every profession, there exists a common list of do’s & don’ts (and inside jokes) – and writers are no exception. The problem is, we’re a rather odd bunch in general and can be difficult to read.
Of course I don’t claim to speak for all writers, but if you like (or possibly love) one of us – and want to understand what makes us tick (and ticks us off) – here are a few Please Do’s & Please Don’ts:
* Please call or email ahead to make plans to visit, because we want your company and need you! But please don’t knock on the front door and surprise us. We’re often in our skivvies and deep in the creative writing zone. Plus, many of us work at home and we actually think we’re far away at the office…

* Please tell us your funny, juicy, crazy life stories, because we soak up your everyday adventures and swap tales constantly with each other! But please don’t tell us your idea for a story and tell us we should use it – we have to use our own ideas. It’s just the way it works…

* Please feel free to ask us specific questions about the publishing industry! But please don’t ask us how to get published, as if it can be summed up in one paragraph with directions to a magic button you push and voila…

* Please recommend books to us regularly! We love to to hear your thoughts and suggestions. But please don’t hand a book to us and insist we read it – we have stacks next to our bed, in the kitchen, by the bathtub…

* Please support us in our writing endeavors and cheer us on, as setbacks and failures are a constant part of this business (and stink)! But please don’t tell us how many rejections JK Rowling got for ‘Harry Potter’ – believe me, we console and torment ourselves daily with those stats…

* Please invite us to take a break with a cup of tea or a walk in the woods or a game of ping pong! But please don’t tell us we’re on the computer all the time – we write stories and promote online pretty much all day on a laptop, because it’s our job…

* Please know we don’t want to be by ourselves all the time and occasionally enjoy wearing real clothes and socializing! But please don’t ask us how we can stand to be alone – most of us are introverts, so if you have to ask, you just won’t get it…

 

* And please know, chances are, we like and love you more than you like and love us, because we’re a deeply passionate crowd! But please don’t let that stop you from writing us in your own unique way. We treasure every word.

 

(photo credits: Google Images)