Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MysticBlaze — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:15:09 -0400

During my life as a writer I've noticed a couple of these from different people in my life. It seems that some people just can't figure out how I can write, and be quite serious about it, with hopes of getting published eventually, and yet either make typos often, or not know how to spell certain words. (Of course we can make typos, lol. And spell check is a writers friend.) Also, I was once asked why it's taking me so long to finish anything. Someone actually accused me of not being serious about writing anything because the project I was working on was still not complete and ready for the editor's desk. (I suppose only a writer would know how long it can actually take to complete a piece. only we would really get how many edits it can take and how hard it is to actually like our own work enough finally to consider it ready.) This could be an interesting topic. What sort of things do the non-writers in you lives just not get at all, that any fellow writer might hear and nod knowingly at?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Squamch — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:22:10 -0400

That your work is more of an abject representation of you, or an indirect representation, rather than a direct representation. For instance, I can make a pretty compelling argument for white supremacy without actually being a white supremacist, or I can write a gay main character without being gay. Those are kind of extreme examples. Also, they usually think I'm doing it so someday I'll make a lot of money at it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

lemanuel11 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:26:04 -0400

They don't really get how private it is, and that I don't really want to share anything until I'm happy with it. The two most common things I hear are "Ooh can I read something?" and "Will you write me a poem/birthday card/eulogy?" Like we're entertainment for hire. Not that I mind doing that stuff, but it's so easy it feels like kind of a cheap representation.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Stasisesque — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:30:44 -0400

I don't believe there is such a thing as a "non-writer". Everyone can write, everyone has a story to tell. Some may not feel compelled to write a novel, but that doesn't mean they don't understand what goes into and how a story is conceived.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

violetgateway — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:56:29 -0400

They, specifically my aunt, doesn't understand how I can take certain classes like history and classics (mythology) when they "obviously" have no use in the real world. I have a use for them, and thats writing. Even if I didn't need them writing I'd still take them anyway. Also another thing that seems specific to my aunt is that she can't understand how I enjoy writing. She thinks of it as something complete boring and a waste of time. Honestly, you just watch her face when I or my mum brings up my writing and she looks at me like I'm a complete idiot who will never do anything good in the world. She thinks I should just get a job and get over it. Well I'm getting a job....at the library. I do think it's a bit hilarious, how she treats it, but oh lord I can't wait to put a complete manuscript or book in front of her face and tell her to suck it. Might be a bit harsh but we've never really gotten along. As for the writing something for someone, I'm okay with that most of the time if it's for a friend, but one person has crossed the line. She asked me to write a story about her and her crush together. I can't do that, no way in hell. It was quite creepy of her to ask that of me to be honest.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Aelfay — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:22:54 -0400

The thing that bothers me is that I talk out loud to myself. A lot. I have to; I need dialogue out loud. Also I make faces a lot when I type. People do not understand that this is necessary... instead I tend to get the 'crazy look'.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheGildedFox — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:46:25 -0400

A lot of my friends tend to think that being a writer and being a narcissist are one in the same. If you believe you've got something worth saying, then obviously you must think too highly of yourself, in their eyes. I'm not quite sure how to make it clear to them that I really DON'T think that people will have any interest in what I have to say, but if I don't get this stuff out of my head and on to paper, then I will go crazy. On the off chance that something I write DOES mean something to someone, then that's a wonderful added bonus. Also, as a full time musician/artist/writer, I find it alarming how people expect me to do my job for NO MONEY on a regular basis. "Hey, can you play at my sister's wedding?" "Hey, can you design a logo for our club" blah blah blah. You probably wouldn't ask an accountant to do your taxes for you for free...especially if you knew they were hurting for cash, so why its okay to ask an artist to work for free...I don't know. And unfortunately, it comes down to the fact that they don't see what you do as "Worth it." They see it as a fun thing, a hobby, a past time, and they don't recognize the dedication, work, time, and research that you've put into mastering your craft. I'm not gonna lie....it infuriates me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MerryHall — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:18:07 -0400

I once lost a friend who was writing a book. I happen to be visiting some other friends in the same city she lived. I was planning to be in town for only a few days. I paid this friend a surprise visit, this was before cell phones and e-mails. She answered the door after a long time, looked at me like she had just woken up from a nap. I told her I wanted to touch bases with her. She reached out from her door and gave me a big hug and then she told me she was terribly sorry but she was very busy and couldn't visit. She was writing a book, she said. She then sent me on my way but not before giving me another hug, and I left. I felt pretty awful. I never saw her again. She called my mother years later. Mom told me they talked for a long time. "Did you get her phone number or address?" I asked her. "No, I forgot" she said. Now, looking back I can understand, maybe a little bit. I sometimes make myself into a hermit when I am writing. My friends call and wonder why I don't answer the phone or I can't go out with them. I see now that when you are writing you can't have distractions, but since I want to keep my friends and family happy, I try to write mostly at night when no one can disturb me. I can then keep my days for them and doing all the other things a person needs to do.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

riddikulus-grin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:22:11 -0400

My friends look ridiculously surprised when I tell them my word count. Then thy ask me why I bother with extra work. It doesn't seem to register I write for fun.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheSecondKnight — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:20:46 -0400

... that when the writer has finally shoved all of her insecurities under the bed and you are allowed to read a segment of her writing, your are NOT allowed to give "sounds good" as the only feedback. >_< ...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tatsuya — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:53:56 -0400

That it is possible to hear voices and still be sane. Just because I can see my characters around college and they dictate my shopping list it doesn't mean I'm insane, cheers.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:57:26 -0400

- That writing is not easy. People seem to think that writing is just a hobby; something that is done during a few hours on a weekend, and something that becomes good on the first try. - That writing is important.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Outlier- — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:16:12 -0400

Me: I'm writing a novel. Them: Oh, that's so cool! What's it about? Me: Well, it's about this that and the other. Them: Wow, how does it end? Me: I'm not sure, it hasn't been made clear yet. Them: How can you not know, you're the one writing it! Me: I know, but I'm only the writer. I don't choose what the characters do or anything, I just write it. Them: Riiiiight... *back away slowly*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheDreamAuthor — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:54:14 -0400

They (mostly my mother) don't understand that just because I've spent a year on editing my book that doesn't mean it's done. In fact, it's no where near done. I have a lot of work to do on it, things that are quite complicated and I'm not sure how to pull them off thank you very much. My characters lead the story. Seriously, 3 pages into November this year and already Ian was going the wrong direction, Erika hit someone in a car, and Jason turned into a blubbering fool-- plus he didn't even have the earring with him, let alone give it to Erika, and so didn't comply with the one and only reason he even got to be in that scene. That when I tell you an idea I had or some whim I had about a plot direction, I don't need you to pick out every single solitary detail that doesn't work and why. I only thought of it two seconds before. Clearly it's far from perfect. I'm saying it out loud to you so I can think about it and reason it out. I know I need constructive criticism, but questioning me incessantly about the tiny little details when all I had was a broad, general idea with little focus is not helping me. At all. It just makes me annoyed that I don't know the answers and when I tell you "I don't know yet" you say "You have to think about this! I'm just telling you because it doesn't make sense! You need to do this, you need to do that!" Huh, I thought I was the one writing this novel, not you. Let me figure it out on my own time!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MysteriousFlower — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:00:36 -0400

People don't understand how characters can become such a part of me. That I can hear their voices and see them and I don't need anti psychotics to keep myself under control. That the characters follow me around in day to day life in way that would get any other person locked up for stalking.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

PlasticSmoothie — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:20:13 -0400

I hate, hate hate hate, HATE when people seem to think that everything I write is something I want to do or is a representation of myself in some way. Whenever we read a particularly gory short story in a class in school, all my friends go around: 'Wtf, the author must have some serious issues'. They never seem to understand that just because you write a story about something disgusting or creepy it's not because you would like to do what your characters do in said story. Other than that, there's always the: 'I don't get why you even bother...'-comment whenever I say a sentence that involves my novel. :p There's also something about everyone who's not into writing immediately assuming that because you enjoy writing, your goal is automatically to become a new Stephen King or J.K Rowling. And when you say that you just write because you enjoy it, they don't take that as an answer. Because CLEARLY writing novels = wishing for fame.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kay Proctor — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:12:37 -0400

The act itself. The question "What do you get out of it?" is asked so many times. This is especially true for NaNo. "Is it a contest? What are the prizes?" So many people forget the journey.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Wolf Tears — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:52:12 -0400

[quote]The act itself. The question "What do you get out of it?" is asked so many times.[/quote] Oh lord. This. I go to a very small high school (42 in my year, 181 total), so all my classmates have long since figured out that I enjoy writing (even though very few actually understand it), but freshman year... oi. "You write? Cool, why? Ooh, are you going to get paid? No? Wait, then what's the point? You're doing extra work for no reason?!" When I go deathly still and stare out the window for fifteen minutes, fingers poised over the keyboard, I am working. Sometimes writing is furious typing and scribbled notes, but not always. Sometimes I need to think things through, or perhaps get myself into a specific emotional state so that I can write a difficult scene. I may not look like I'm doing anything to you, but in no way does that make it okay for you to break what might be a vital train of thought. That said, it is even less okay to distract me when my fingers are flying over the keyboard and I'm focused intently on the screen. If saying my name once or twice doesn't get me, come back in ten minutes and try again. Working up a good run is often hard, and I will not appreciate it if you interrupt one. At all. In fact, I may try to tear your head off and feed it to my plot bunnies.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

RainbowConnection — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:02:24 -0400

That no, it's not okay to just go into my writing folder and read whatever you please without asking me first. Or that they can't sit behind me and watch me write. It drives me insane.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JettaBaby — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:09:26 -0400

That no, I can't eat right now, I'm busy writing! That you absolutely CANNOT disturb me while my fingers are flying and I'm focused on the computer screen. Well, I had to scream at my brother several times, but at least he finally got it. I hope. That my word count will not magicaly go up 1000 words if you ask me what it is every five minutes. That I'm not crazy for setting my alarm to 5 am so I can get up early and write. That the reason I type before going to bed is because that's when inspiration strikes me, not because I don't want to go to bed yet. And the biggest thing people don't get... Why I'm writing a novel in one month if I don't 'get anything out of it'. 'Why are you up in your room all day? Oh, your writing a novel? 50k words in 30 days?! What's the prize when you finish? What, no prize? Why do you do it then?' I think only writers can truly answer this question.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

sovay — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:17:28 -0400

That even though I'm not majoring in English, I still really, really like to write stories. I didn't choose to major in something else because I was giving up story writing - I wanted them both. To a lot of my family members, my writing takes away from what I should be focusing on, even though I love writing more than anything else! And that I'm writing for myself first and foremost, so I write whatever I want, not for publication. Sometimes it gets a bit frustrating!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

winx788 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:41:51 -0400

When in class, when some one says something (especially during NaNo), I'd relate something they say to what's going on in my story. But even when I only get out, "That reminds me about this thing I'm writing about..." (which is usually all I *ever* get out) there's always this one guy who says, "We don't care about your writing!" To which I would reply "Gee, thanks." sarcastically. But does he apologize? No. He only says, "Well, it's true. We don't." Honestly, people need to understand that their writing is precious to a writer. That's why we're called *writers*. It's like interrupting a public speaker to say, "Shut up! No one cares!" Because to them, *they* care. They put thought and effort into what they're saying. Writers don't just churn out a bunch of words and call it a book. It's not a hobby, it's something serious. Most published writers didn't just decided one day to write a book, only to slapdash a few words together to mail it to an editor. I know people who think an author who writes a book in a year is "slow." Ummm, I don' t think so. Even picture books or short stories take a while, because every line has to be relevant. And telling people you don't care about something huge to them is downright rude. If you don't care, don't listen. Simple as that. Sorry. It just really irritates me. >_<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Nixie-chan — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:11:50 -0400

I really don't like it when people ask what my novel's about...I never feel like I can do my story justice and then I just make it sound stupid. The reason I'm writing a novel is so my characters can develop and become real, not just facts. And I know people are just being nice since I just told them I'm writing a novel and they think that it would be pleasant if they asked about it. But until the thing's done, I want to volunteer information, not be asked for it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

springs10808 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:41:53 -0400

The most noticeable thing I've seen is that people don't understand that writers don't necessarily make up the story themselves. We get struck with inspiration, tie it together into a vague idea or overarching story, and figure out the basics about our characters. After that, we don't have much control over what happens. I have a non-writing friend that I talk to about my writing sometimes, and once when I was telling him that I had randomly discovered that a character had a daughter and a second wife that I didn't know about and that they were getting in the way of where I wanted to take the story, and he told me to just get rid of them. He didn't understand that they were *there,* and I couldn't just make them not exist.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

legomaestro — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:03:33 -0400

You guys are all thieves. You're stealing the words right out of my mouth...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

SarahNicole — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:07:47 -0400

Nobody understands how characters feel to me. They are always leading me along in my story. And people are like: "They aren't real ._. "

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

zanitas — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:08:28 -0400

They don't understand that your characters are very real to you, and they might have minds of their own at times. *sounds crazy*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Ignis_Fatuus — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:10:44 -0400

I think the lack of how serious non-writers take writing comes from the fact that most people don't read. If more people read, I think they'd understand that what we all do is something akin to magic most of the time and that no, a lot of times when we start a story, we don't quite understand what's going on either. I was so lucky to have nurturing parents who understood not to interrupt me when I'm scribbling away and bought me all I would need in order to succeed at what they knew wasn't just a "hobby" for me. I will never forget all of the faltering smiles given by family associates when announcing what I wanted to be when I grew up though (they asked, dammit). Very hurtful. However, the last laugh belongs to me. :) Non-writers don't understand that writing is IMPORTANT.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AberHey — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:41:22 -0400

When I told my girlfriend that NaNo was about quantity, not quality, she said "that's plain stupid." I asked her why she thought that and she said "because there are books that are shorter than 50k and still good". she just didn't seem to get the point of editing, like everything i write i'm going to publish. she doesn't get that when you write, you write a lot of crap. The one about self representation is true, too. Like when I told friends that I wanted to write a story that was autobiographical with some fictional aspects, they were like "ah yeah and you really think that your life is interesting enough?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Shade_of_Lia — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:53:00 -0400

My biggest thing is when a friend who doesn't write comes up to me and starts distracting me. And then she asks me why it's taking me so long to stop writing and then turns around and asks to read what I'm writing. And then, as the non-writer she is decided that after reading a short passage that my novel is nothing more than a romance novel. Seriously? Having a non-writer judge a short section and tell me that I'm writing a romance novel (the only genre I've ever seen her read) without thinking that she just caught it at the wrong time irks me. Also I find it funny when non-writers panic over five hundred word essays and have to start working on them weeks before while I wait until the day before. Non-writers also don't understand that writers are actually some of the most humorous and sarcastic people around. Just because we write extremely dark and dreary things for our stories doesn't make us depressed or incapable of laughter! A good satirical piece should be written for personal use to make writing the dark things a little easier.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BriBriBearx — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:21:15 -0400

"Don't talk to me. " "But-" "No. I'm writing. Don't talk to me." I don't say this to anyone, but I sure do think it a LOT. I absolutely hate when I'm in the middle of a paragraph, I've got an excellent train of thought, perfect words to describe it, I'm moving into the last half of a sentence and then- "Hey, Brianna!" WHAT. ...trainofthoughtlostoutthewindow... Also, that it's nothing personal that I won't show you what I've written. Especially because to this day, I haven't gotten past a first draft, except for a 900 word short story. Yes, the characters have a life and mind of their own, but there are still traces of me in there. Traces that my family members could pick out as very "brianna-like". I don't want that. I wish there was a way those traces could be erased, and they could just read it as they would any other writer's book. This last one isn't anybody's fault and I can't blame them, but I hate that non-writers can't see the utter magic behind writing. They can't see that it takes you away, to a different place, different people, different general themes of life. It's not just words on a page. It's completely diving into something you've never experienced before (or have, only now you're defining it).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

dualisticjays — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:33:46 -0400

I can't stand it when I try to explain to people how much NaNoWriMo means to me as a process and they're just like, "...can't you do this on your own time? Why November? Why can't you do ____ instead and get away from the computer?" I use NaNoWriMo for just getting out the ideas in my head that I've accumulated over the course of an entire year, when I lack the motivation to write anything more than a page or two. And I hate it when people ask to read my novel and then tell me it's lousy/unfinished, because they can't comprehend the idea that the point is to sift through all 50,000 words at the end of the month for those little snippets and paragraphs that are worth something.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

jessie6321 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:57:01 -0400

I hate it when people say "It's not that hard, I mean, you're just making it up right?" when I say I'm tired because I was writing all day. really? you try it then. non-writers can't seem to understand that just because you're not doing physical work or doing a lot of research (which is wrong, because even fantasy takes a whole bunch of research, much less sci-fi) that you're still exerting energy and will probably be tired after close to nine hours straight working, especially after waking up early and going to bed late to write. My dad does this all the time because he does physical stuff outside all day and then I say I'm tired and he makes fun of me because "it's just writing". it really annoys me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TreeWhisperer — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:05:18 -0400

My non-writing friends don't understand that I don't have control over my characters. I told one of them, "Oh my goodness, my main character fell in love with his cousin! And she's married! And she has a two year old daughter!" My friend gave me a reaaally funny look.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Silhouette. — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:17:48 -0400

What gets me is the question, "But why would you want to?" Why would I want to write? Why would I want to do NaNoWriMo? Also, when people say, "I could never write a novel." Or, "I could never write a story. I just don't know how you do it." Everyone has imaginations. Everyone has the ability to write. Every. One. It saddens me when people feel this way, when they feel like they can't, and therefore never try.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheGildedFox — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:25:55 -0400

People that don't understand that sometimes (especially for historical fiction) the research process can be 3 times longer than the actual writing process. When I had been researching for 3 months, I regularly had people ask me why I hadn't started writing yet. In some ways, I think that Nanowrimo can be misleading to outsiders. People expect me to have a finished novel in 30 days. They don't realize all the preparation time, outlining, and then later editing and rewriting that goes into a finished book. They seem to equate my lack of finished work to be a lack of work.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms_erupt — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:01:32 -0400

Word to everything you guys have said here (esp. about how your characters become very real to you). I think the thing that annoys me most is trying to explain to people why it's so difficult to share my writing. They always assume that it's because I'm afraid of criticism or self-conscious because I think my writing is bad. That's not true, and I don't mean that in an arrogant sort of way. Like every writer I know, I have a pretty vicious inner editor, and I always second guess what I write. But, because of that, I WELCOME criticism. No, it's the idea of exposing my inner most thoughts and fantasies and imagings that's so unsettling to me. It's very difficult to just go, "Here's all the stuff that I come up with when I'm alone and thinking too much. Here you go."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

SunnyDenise — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:12:52 -0400

I agree with all of you on all points but most specifically the interrupting. If you see me sitting at the computer typing, or see me with a pen in my hand and I'm writing, don't interrupt me. At least wait until my hands stop moving before you ask me the stupid question, "When I lose all this weight, do you want my clothes?" Really? That couldn't wait until tomorrow, or next month, or next year even???? And I don't have to be writing a novel, or a story... just writing!! Just because you don't like to write letters, doesn't mean I don't. I love to write. Period. Letters, blogs, stories, novels, whatever! And just because my fingers aren't flying across the keyboard doesn't mean I'm not writing. AND STOP USING MY FAVORITE PEN!!! Sorry... I just had to get that out!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Unit7 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:18:00 -0500

In high school we had to write some short scene. I forget what it was supposed to be about. Anyways I had easily filled a page without any problem. When my teacher pointed it out, and gave me some nice compliments, a fellow student asked me how I did it. I just shrugged. lol

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

whitedove — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:35:07 -0500

In college, whenever I mentioned to my mom that I was working on a story, she would try to tell me not to because it was taking time from my school work. I could not make her understand that I actually did better in my classes during Nanowrimo because, even though I was more stressed for time, I felt better and could think more clearly for having done something very important to me. I think she figured it out though after I went a very long time without writing. The next time I told her that I had spent my free time working on a story, she actually sounded pretty pleased.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Espea — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:38:31 -0500

My sister gave me this little gem just a few minutes ago: "Why can't you just write during the day likea normal person?" Ha! She doesn't get it, does she?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Livinlife — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:51:22 -0500

Things I don't get... When you whine about a certain character and people ask "if you don't like them so much, why don't you just change it?" -.- It just does not work that way.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Sousamaphone — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:00:22 -0500

Grammer Nzism! I showed my boyfriend the Alot is Better then You at Everything article and he thought it was stupid and the writer had no life :( I cried...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BlotchyQuill — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:06:06 -0500

This is a novel mostly about NaNoWriMo. I've been encouraging people to do NaNoWriMo as a means of creatively expression, saying it doesn't matter if they don't reach 50,000 it's the act of writing everyday that's important. She says, "It's a waste of time. I don't see the point of writing something so long. There's absolutely no benefit in that." It would have respected it as her own opinion, if she didn't continue. "Beside, everything you guys are writing is crap anyways. It's not like it'll be good enough even to edit." "Everyone doing NaNoWriMo is just writing a bunch of words in order to meet the word count. It's such a waste of time, it's not like they're writing anything of substance." I don't think she's a non-writer, simply because she claims to enjoy creative writing. "But I see more benefit in writing a small piece once in a while rather than wasting my time writing single day." That's the biggest problem I've run into with other people. They think it's a waste of time. Or they ask if I'm doing it for a class assignment. The idea that I might enjoy telling a story is just unthinkable. Other people think I'm going to be handing out my novel like candy. Or they'll say things like "You'll buy me something when you're publish and rich, right?" Others just think it's easy, something anyone can do. OH, "Put me in your novel!" is a demand I've been given a lot since November started.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaffeinatedTarantula — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:44:14 -0500

"Non writers" don't understand that anyone can write. Hell, I'm working on my 4th novel, and I still find it hard to consier myself a writer. Like...nothing is stopping you, it's not like there's a writers gene. Related: People think that way about drawing, too. Just do it. Also, people think that if you're writing a novel, it's because you want to get it published. Also related: When I do any paintings, crochet...anything, all anyone says to me is "YOU COULD SELL THAT." Did it ever occur to you guys that maybe I just want to have a hobby? That I enjoy? e_e Also, I was just talking about this in another thread, but people think that writing comes out perfectly the first time, apparently, since everyone wants to read everything on December 1st. My story is riddled with plot holes, there are scenes of people napping, and a lot of weak motivation at parts. Let me clean this up...please? Please stop pestering me....please?!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

slrphebos — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:25:45 -0500

One question I get all the time is "how do you come up with stuff to write?" There is no answer I can ever give to that. I don't get how I come up with ideas or characters or anything really. It just comes to me. Another good one I get is "Why is writing fun?" I swear that one just irks me. I stopped explaining myself a long time ago. It's fun cause it is. There isn't some wonderful awesome answer. Wish there was, but there isn't one.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kachi.pray — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:42:17 -0500

I think that non-writing oriented people are perfectly capable of understanding those of us who are more prone to the written word. I like the think that everyone has some kind of creative outlet. Those who don't write, paint, or dance, or sing, or play guitar at four in the morning (hello roommates.) To understand us, a person simply needs to translate those things we love about writing to their own creative medium.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

sarahlucielle — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 06:27:26 -0500

My mom has a friend who was talented enough that she was able to write books and short stories for money to pay her way through college. She doesn't understand that I can't just spit out books and publish them in the span of six months the way this woman can. I have to explain to her that her friend is exceptional and not the norm, that these things take time and I might not be done with this novel in a month, a year, or more. It's done when it's done, not when tuition and bills are due. She expects me to have done something already because she thinks it's easy.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

DouglasMB — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:22:06 -0500

I totally hate... when I tell some one I am working on a book or a story or what ever... and they ask me about it is about. I tell them and they start taking apart and tell me how I could make it better without ever reading any of the story. I tell them they should write something... and they wave it off an say, nah I don't have time for anything silly like that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

xandert — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:48:18 -0500

The thing most people can't seem to understand is why I get upset when I'm interrupted in the midst of a writing session. Talk about disrupting chain of thought!!! And usually it comes in a moment when I finally have figured out how to fix a problem or deal with a plot issue. Then it takes me hours or even days to remember what the fix was! grrrr This is part of the reason I tend to do most of my writing at night. I can shut off the phone after hubby goes to bed and pretend the world just disappeared for a while. No interruptions. :-) I'm in the same boat with those of you who get inspired at night right as you're getting ready for bed. And generally AFTER I've shut the computer down is when characters start talking - annoying buggers that they can be. *G* I keep pen and paper handy just in case. Needless to say, some nights sleep is interrupted. Okay. A lot of nights. But I'm an insomniac anyway, so whose to know the difference?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

scintillalux — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:03:01 -0500

What I say: Only the first draft is done. What they hear: Done. As if I can just call the publishing fairies, make demands, and my wish will be granted. I have to keep reminding them how crappy first drafts are, it's normal, etc. Then they think I'm being a picky perfectionist (somewhat true, I'll admit). They also don't get that interrupting me while I'm writing is not okay, plus I can't help it if I get ideas in the middle of the night.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

NghtSpud — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:30:12 -0500

I think to date, two people know I write, and unless something drastic happens I don't plan on ever letting any more than a handful of people know. The people who know so far are my mum, who wishes she could write, and a friend who has also tried to write (in fact he introduced me to nanowrimo). I don't want to tell anyone else simply because of the reactions people get. I used to tell people I enjoyed writing, and got all the same reactions people have mentioned before, so now I just don't talk about it. Every now and then I let words slip about my characters to someone, or I get really excited as I think of the next plot twist, but I just shrug off any odd looks I get and say I have to go write an essay or something.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kimar2z — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:09:54 -0500

One of the first things most people don't get is that writing isn't just a past time for me. It's a passion. I love to write. Simply because that's my form of escape. That's my creativity. It's what I'm good at. Most people don't seem to get that. They think that I write just because 'Oh, well, you want to do something 'different' than everybody else' (I actually got that the other day, that that was probably the only reason I write... xD) and it's annoying. They don't seem to understand that unlike most people, with their past times, I don't do it just to look good or just to say I can, I do it because that's what I love. Another thing they don't understand is that when I'm writing, I'm *writing* This does not mean to come up and ask me what I'm writing about (nor does this mean that I'll be able to properly sum it up in a few sentences, especially when writing the first draft where I'm not sure my original plot is going to stay the same or not) and this does not mean to come ask me if they can be in the story (because otherwise, they probably will be. Only they'll be dead. I'm not very nice when it comes to that sort of thing >.>) and this also, under no circumstances what so EVER, means to come stand beside me when I'm paying you no attention and try to read my writing over my shoulder. >.< Some people also don't seem to understand that I'm not always going to know what I want to do with a story. And that sometimes, it's going to change throughout the book, and that sometimes my original idea becomes something so painstakingly different by the time I'm halfway done with it that I have to put it aside and rethink the whole plot. They don't understand how I can take a story, start writing it, finish it, scrap it and start again. I get this whole "Why did you do that? You should hurry up and finish it for real this time! Quit being a perfectionist!! -_-" and... that's annoying. I write how I wanna write, and if I don't like it I'll fix it. That's just that, yeesh. Though, those are just a few things, but those are my pet peeves. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

FlameRaven — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:37:15 -0500

I thought this video summed up a lot of the things people don't understand pretty well: http://youtu.be/c9fc-crEFDw Bit long, but definitely worth it. ;)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Evening — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:18:39 -0500

My boyfriend has the tendency to peek over my shoulder and recite back to me the first thing he sees on the page. I don't know if he's actually reading it or if he's just trying to freak me out, but he thinks it's funny when I get all flustered and cover up the computer. He doesn't understand that he can't read even one word without my say-so. He doesn't understand that it's horribly, painfully embarrassing for him to read just one sentence out loud, because it sounds stupid and awful. He doesn't understand that *I* still feel stupid, even if he doesn't think my writing is bad, because feeling stupid has nothing to do with his opinion.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CatOfManyWhiskers — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:40:31 -0500

Ugh, my dad kind of stays out of it and says 'as long as it doesn't interrupt your homework,' but mom keeps asking 'what's the point.' She said writing for the sake of writing is fun, but was there a purpose? A point? A meaning? And I'm all, 'uhm... I dunno. Determination to succeed with a good result, just for fun.' I don't quite understand what she's asking me, but I think it's 'is there a reward for it beside success.' Why does there have to be!? My friends get it (but the amount of words scares them off), but she just doesn't understand that it's not about winning or prizes, but the satisfaction of writing! UGH! Anyone else have this problem?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Doal — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:46:39 -0500

My friends are having a hard time realzing htat I do not want to be disturbed while I'm writing. Yes I look all quiet while I'm sitting there- that doesn't make it open for discussion. I tend to block out everything else when I'm scribbling in my notebook, and if I'm listening to music then there's no way I'm hearing you. It's quite jarring when someone tries to speak to me. Most of the time I'm listening to christian metal music (it helps me churn out words quickly). Any other outside influence throws me for a loop and I have to rip myself out of the writing mode. Honestly, it takes a lot of willpower for me to not respond in a snarky, mean tone.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Webgoji — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:54:36 -0500

Something that grinds my gears . . . [rant] When I'm writing, I actually AM busy. Supporting me means letting me work at times. It doesn't mean that I'm only allowed to write when nobody is watching. Give me a break and YOU answer the phone this time or YOU get to fork up the extra cash I need for a copy of Scrivener. If I win, I get 50% off and it seems stupid to pay full price just because you couldn't pause while doing your makeup to answer the door, but if that's what you want, fine. [/rant]

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

meg_nicholle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:57:32 -0500

At this point I feel like I'm just repeating things that have aleady been said, but here are a few things that really bother me. First of all, they don't understand nano. I've tried telling a few people what I'm doing and the main response I've gotten is "So, it's like a contest? What do you win?" When I tell them that it's not a contest and there is no prize like they would think, they just don't get it. They don't understand that the journey itself and the pride that comes along with what you have accomplished can be enough of a prize. Also, writing can be a very private thing. It's not something I want to discuss with every random person I happen to meet. My dad likes to tell everyone he knows that I'm a writer, so what happens every time I go to a family function, or am introduced to a friend of his? "Oh, so I hear you're a writer? What do you write about?" My short responses don't mean that I don't write about anything interesting, they mean that it's none of your damn business! I don't write so I can brag about it. I write because I love it. Because I have to. I wish more people could understand that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:59:51 -0500

I think I have my husband trained to respect my writing time and my writings. ;-) But he is always asking me why I don't do technical writing. ...maybe because it is boring and I hate it? I can write technical, but if given the choice, I am all for CW. It is the money issue again. You can make more money writing technical than writing creative. And in my personal opinion if we were paid for what is harder, then creative writers would be rolling in the dough.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alicerabbits — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:05:59 -0500

Mostly my non-writer friends want to know why I'm not a gamer. I don't mind it...it's just not my passion. Writing is my passion. And my favorite is from my dad (though he says he supports whatever I want to do in life...): how can you write so many words. @_@ Seriously?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

flyingandfalling — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:49:50 -0500

they don't seem to understand why i write in my free time instead of vegging out in front of the TV with them, or absolutely destroying them in W.O.W. or something. it boggles the mind... or, they get freaked out that i can find something other than literal meaning in a sonnet or other piece of literature. "so, it's about a guy walking with his daughter on a beach in the evening? what's all this random crap about nuns and temples and Abraham!?!?!" "no! it's an analogy! see....*elaborate explanation. with diagrams*" "what?" *facepalm*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

GoodApollo27 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:49:28 -0500

I have a friend who was reading one of my novels (on hold due to NANO, wanted to see if I could start fresh and finish in a month), and she's all ticked that I'm not writing the one she's reading. By reading, I mean that she read the first two pages, so she can't be THAT attached. I hate when people think that writers can just spit out stories. In reality, I really needed a break from my original. Now, she's prejudiced toward my NANO novel. :P I'D LIKE TO SEE HER TRY TO WRITE FOUR NOTEBOOKS FULL OF NOVEL AND NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLES OR DOUBTS!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:27:26 -0500

That writing is HARD.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Zenxara — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:24:12 -0500

I had a conversation with my dad over breakfast once, he told me I should be updating and working on my programming because there will be job coming soon, I told him that I can't I love writing and in November I be working on my novels. "But it doesn't pay" I didn't say anything, He knew he said something bad because working on my portfolio 'doesn't pay ether' My mom complains I don't text back, when she send me text about jobs that pays more, when I clearly say I love my job even if it doesn't pay 15$/h I prefer waking up and do a job I like then waking up dreading the coming day. I love what I do, doesn't matter if I get paid or not, the effort is worth it in the long run.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Hoshi Niccon — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:14:56 -0500

One this my non Writer friends always make fun of me about is the fact that I talk about my characters as if they were real my writer friends understand it and they do it to but the others are just like. "....there not even remotely real who cares about what they think" I take character building very very seriously so I normally get really upset at them when they do that because what a character is thinking is a key to building a strong and well formed character.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Purple.Llama — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:26:58 -0500

People don't understand that there is a reason you write every word that you type. Nothing is random. A conscious decision went in to every phrase and it's kind of difficult to edit things you put so much thought into. Classic example: Me: I don't like what I'm writing. Person: Then why don't you start over? Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (dies)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

DarkDoeAlisse — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:32:40 -0500

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but MY CHARACTERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY BASED ON ME AND MY LIFE! I do RPs on online forums, so I have a lot of characters here and there, and this is almost exactly what happened between me and my ex (who should have understood as he's a pen and paper RPer.) ex: so I noticed you have a lot of characters... Me: Yeah, and...? ex: which one of them is you? me: What? why does one of the have to be me? ex: because you know, you made them, so at least one of them has to be you... me: jlajflkdfjlakdjf NO!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:46:48 -0500

For me: When someone hears that i like to write, and they say, "Oh, I have this idea for a story you might want." Excuse me? I have plenty of my own ideas, TYVM. If your idea is so awesome, write it yourself. Or they tell me they write too, and force their horrid garbage off on me. If you're serious, I'll be glad to read it... after it's been edited. I get a headache from endless run-on sentences, bad grammar and spelling, etc. I have to deal with my own bad writing, I don't want to deal with yours, right now. People who think I should be able to crank out a poem in an hour. First of all, I don't write poetry, that's a totally different kind of writing. Second, even if I did, anything I'd crank out in an hour would probably suck. I had some guy tell me I was sick and twisted because my Protagonist was suffering in a story. Um, yeah? no one wants to read about Happy Joe Lucky having a great day and a perfect life. **YAWN!** No. We want to see Joe Lucky step outside in the morning to get the paper, only to see a dark sedan with darkened windows tear around the corner and run over Mr. Fluffles, Joe's favorite cat, at the same time, his wife is packing her bags and leaving him, his kids have joined a cult, and he gets a call from his boss to tell him he's fired.... and it just goes downhill from there. This is what hey want o read. But if that's what you're writing, you must be disturbed. I don't get it. Do they not realize people just like me are writing these stories they like to read? If I get frustrated, people tell me I should quit writing. After all, why indulge in a hobby that doesn't make you happy? First: IT'S NOT A HOBBY! Second, just because I'm frustrated, doesn't mean I'm not happy. Frustration comes with being challenged. Challenges are good! Finally (only because I'm gonna stop here, not because it's the end of thee list), when someone discovers I like to write fanfiction: I get a lot of "But you're so good! You should do some -real- writing!" He-llo? It is real writing. I still have to follow he same rules for plot and characterization and technicalities as I would for an "original" novel. Only difference is that I can skip the world-building step (unless the fandom characters get shunted into a different world from their own), and -some- of the character-building (because there are often OCs, even in fanfic -- at least with mine). Basically, to sum up all the ranting: I hate it when I'm not taken seriously.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kittenn1011 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:09:59 -0500

The worst reactions I've got were from my mother, which included: "I'm trying to be a parent and give you advice about something I don't know about"; "Yeah, I read that blue book [my creative writing book] you write in all the time while you were at school and I don't get it" and when it bothered me she didn't understand why; and most recently, "It's not worth writing if nobody reads it". One of my friends has constantly asked to write her fanfictions for a pairing I told her I'm not fond of-- boring, cliches that there are already a million of on top of that. Whenever I tell an adult that I'm trying to put together a story idea, they say, "Oh, I have an interesting life. Why don't I tell you about that and you can write it". Hello? It's your life. How am I supposed to write your life? I'm not a biographer. The only person that can write your life is you, so if you have a story you want to tell, do it yourself. The other thing that bothers me is when someone in my outer-circle of friends brings up my novel when they've only heard bits and pieces about it from my conversations with my closer friends while I was brainstorming out loud, and then offering ideas for the area I was discussing A WEEK AGO with my best friend to use her as an unresponsive wall while I figure things out (I realize plotholes and cool twists best when thinking out loud). Especially when those ideas are all for a slapstick comedy, not my actual genre. Yeah, I'm talking about one person specifically.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

cygwriter — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:53:37 -0500

One of my pet peeves is what others have mentioned too, that when I do share a piece, which is not often, someone tells me how I should write it (instead of the way i am writing it) or tell me things to add, and what to do... Critic: Oh you know it would be so cool if... Me: No. It wouldn't. Critic: This doesn't sound like I expect. Me: Good. It shouldn't. Critic: You are mean to your characters. Me: Of course. Critic: Do you write just to be mean to your character? Me; Is there another reason? Books are angst meet protag. Critic: the whatsit? Me: Nevermind. Critic: but if you don't explain your words how can you write them? Me: facepalm Or when someone tells me Your characters wouldn't do that in real life without knowing what they are talking about.. Really? Have you done the research I did, have the experience I have had, sit and observe what I have, that you have the authority it takes to say that? Critic: blinks. Me; Didn't think so. and btw, this is fiction. Then when I say, write your own! Critic: Oh i could never do that. Me; Got that right.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JenWales — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:43:28 -0500

I havnt told many people. When I talk about writnig with my boyfriend he offers me tips and sugesst what I should write. It annoys me because he doesnt read at all and doesnt write. I think he thinks its easy and it's annoying that he feels he can give me advice, it makes him seem like a 'know it all'. he'll sugesst something and it's not going ot fit. maybe hes just helping but it seems different ot me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Captain Lonewolf — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:18:40 -0500

I hate it when non- writers think that getting published is a piece of cake. It's usually my extended family and some of my friends when I say this. Whenever we're visiting, I have my laptop out and they find out I'm writing, they always tell me I should get published. They talk as if anybody off the street could do it in five minutes. Then when I refuse and try to explain just how difficult it is, they bring out the "it's not worth writing if you're not going to do anything about it" card and I get annoyed and go off to write somewhere else. It drives me crazy! I know they're being supportive and all, but it still bugs me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ghost.writer042 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:55:57 -0500

Writing is something that needs to be practiced and requires attention to detail and the ability to not only express thoughts and images in a clear and poetic manner, but that those who happen to write seldom choose to write- they chance upon it and find that it's a source of great passion for them. Many of my friends fancy themselves writers when they can barely string together a compound sentence and never practice their craft. They chose to write instead of letting the craft choose them, so to speak.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rage-chan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:16:20 -0500

They think that writing is a chore that absolutely must be avoided at all costs... They don't understand how I can spend hours and hours writing, planning plots, devising characters... They think it's boring. I like writing. C:

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:21:25 -0500

Those who aren't supportive of my writing don't get that I do this for fun and not for the money. Even my mom doesn't seem to get this, and I consider her to be very supportive of what I do. They also don't get that what I write sometimes has little to nothing to do with my real life. I may write about some fairly disturbing things, but it doesn't mean that I, myself, am disturbed.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Malaric — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:52:49 -0500

The concept that everything I write fiction wise is ultimately for others to read my friends don't understand that the book I'm writing for this is only ever going to be read by me -.-

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

skarlatha — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:04:23 -0500

What everyone else already said, plus... When I won NaNo a couple of years ago, after the month was over I worked up my courage and sent a PDF of the novel to my aunt. I warned her that it was super rough and that I knew it wasn't anywhere near ready for publication (if it ever would be). She then proceeded to print out like fifteen copies of it without my permission. She gave it to a bunch of my family members, and a bunch of them loaned it to people I'd NEVER EVEN MET after they got done reading. I was completely shocked, horrified, embarrassed, offended... you pick a negative "WHY TF WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME" adjective and it probably fits. And my aunt was completely, utterly shocked that I was upset. She said, "Well, I'm proud of you! I thought everyone should know what a good writer you are!" And I told her that I AM a good writer, yes, but THIS is not good writing! It's not finished! There are grammatical mistakes and continuity problems and at least one whole scene that makes absolutely zero sense, and now a bunch of strangers are passing around copies of it and thinking that this piece of crap is a good example of what my finished writing looks like. And she doesn't get it. She got offended that I was offended. Called me ungrateful. Consequently, I was so embarrassed by the whole thing that I haven't looked at that novel since. I had such big plans to edit it and polish it and scrub it with Awesomeness Windex until it squeaked, but now it's just like this shameful dark secret of my past.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

LongRoad — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:23:45 -0500

That if you've got a flow going no you can't just stop to hold the bottom of a ladder.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

wildecross — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:53:43 -0500

That I only like to write in certain locations and at certain times...and that I cannot work while in a car. I really like to write in the kitchen...no clue why, I think because it seems like the center of activity, but people made me feel like a freak about that. Then I saw a documentary about Hunter S. Thompson and he wrote in his kitchen--and I can't say that I felt less crazy, but I knew that I was in good company. That posting anything online means that your exclusive electronic rights are pretty much gone and that the piece has officially been published even if it's only on your blog. That a typo in something that went to publishing can mean death for a writer...and especially an editor. In my defense my minor error made it past two revisions, one college level workshopping session, and met the approval of six editors (two of them professors), but I'll be forever haunted by the word "through" when it should have been "though" That I have a major problem with people reading my unfinished work if I don't consent to it...I actually burned about twenty pages of a hand-written manuscript when an ex snuck off with it to read it. That I'm published in several magazines, but still broke. I was told by an artist/musician/writer I know that you have to be prepared to starve for art, and that everything in life is a luxury including having food or a bed. And I consider that guy to be rather successful. Publishing itself is rather easy with vanity publishing and self-publishing out there--you have to be good and good at marketing to successfully self-publish. In general though you have to pick the right publication with a low acceptance rate to built a reputation for quality, then you have to decide if you want to actually get paid for your work....and then sometimes your style, subject matter or tone doesn't mesh with an editor...so then you take the piece and find a new publication with a different editor and hope that it works out.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Empiric — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:23:02 -0500

I think the worst (but also the funniest) thing would be that the only person with a manuscript of my last NaNo is constantly badgering me to make a sequel. The thing ends where the MC is taking a train to Paris (from Connecticut I might add. That's a helluva plot hole), and he's thinks up the most hilarious ideas to continue the plot into a sequel. I think my favorite is the idea of placing the next book in Paris, and having the characters be chased around by what he called the "Paris Police".

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Iago Grey — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:32:25 -0500

One thing I find is that the non-writers are split two ways. Half of them think that writing so much is simply an impossible challenge, and the others don't believe that it takes any effort. Type 1 Me: I have to write 50, 000 words in a month. Them: What? That's crazy! Nobody can write that much. Type 2 Me: I have to write 50, 000 words in a month. Them: Meh, that's easy. Me: OH YAH WELL I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU DO IT THEN. Um. Yeah. :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Annaissocoollike — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:29:55 -0500

My friends simply can't understand why I'm doing it. Every single one of them asked what the prize was, to which I replied that there was none. They were mystified then and still are, especially when I tell them my current word count (which is barely anything mentionable on here, but to my friends it's MASSIVE). Is it really that strange for a 13 year-old girl to be committed to writing a novel for no "prize" other than the novel itself (which, in my opinion, is the best prize of all)?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

tin_penguin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:40:40 -0500

I wear I tiara when I'm writing, even if I'm in public. It just seems to make the words come more easily. Not looking forward to explaining it to the guy I'm dating, though.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Calista.Artemis — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:49:39 -0500

Someone asked me today while I was typing at the library: Them: "Hey, aren't you the one from last year?" Me: "Wait, what do you mean?" Them: "Weren't you writing a book last year? Can I read it?" Me: "Oh, you mean my Kingdom of Kaldazar project? No, I haven't been working on that one lately, I've postponed writing it because I need to get some things figured out." Them: "You STILL haven't finished it?! That was. like, six months ago I asked you about it!" .... Just.. no. *eye twitch* They made me really annoyed, so I just turned around when they persisted on asking questions and pretended that I couldn't hear them until they went away.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Calista.Artemis — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:49:58 -0500

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Elisabell_angel — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:50:23 -0500

Let's see.. My first and foremost problem is that people seem to think I'm writing about myself no matter how many times I tell them it's a fictional story.. This can get pretty bad, because a lot of my ideas tend to be.. explicit in some way. My NaNo novel is about two teenager's going on a shooting rampage in their school, for god's sake.. I get nervous whenever someone asks me what my book is about.. and then when I tell them, they think I'm crazy and about to snap. I have to stress over and over that I'm not suicidal or homicidal I just am writing fiction.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Strawberrymilk — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:57:11 -0500

most of my friends actually do a lot of writing but the ones who don't, don't seem to understand That the characters make the story not the writer, we just write it out for them and set up some situations for them to freak out about, so nothing is a fixed point in the story until the characters say it is . If I told this to anyone who didn't write they'd think I'm nuts They also don't seem to get why I get so irritated when they interrupt my...that's like if i unplugged your Xbox while your playing L4D or something Its not cool... I also once confused my teacher by writing about Ellis Island, She thought i had been there but in reality I just wrote from what I had seen in the movie hitch :'D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kaitlynleliel — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:06:58 -0500

Some of my family members get really confused about why I love to write supernatural fiction. They've got this impression that if you're writing it, you must have some sort of... intimate relationship with it. If that's even the correct wording, I mean... Like, for example; my aunt thinks that if I write about classic witchcraft that that means I must be interested in actually practicing it. If I wrote about a serial killer, she'd probably think I was considering murder. I don't tell her what I'm working on personally, but my mom likes to brag about my writing a lot to our family. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Nastashal — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:38:22 -0500

These are the questions I get most often when I talk about my writing: "How can you write about a gay character if you're straight?" "How can your main character be a guy if you're a girl?" "What do you mean, your characters tell you the story? They don't exist, how can they tell you stuff?" "How can you not like talking about your writing? You wrote it, tell me about it!" All I can ever do is shake my head at them.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

HM-Marable — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:36:38 -0500

Me:Halway there! Mum: the wordcounter thingy doesnt read the actual word does in? can't you just write 'blah' 25,000 times? Me: (without thinking) I accdentally murdered someone today! Friend: What! Me: Oh I mean a character.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Carpe Verba — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:41:14 -0500

^ I can totally relate to the last two. I've noticed that non-writers don't seem to appreciate the emotional involvement. I had someone ask (basically assuming) that they'd be the first to read my book. That's not going to happen. Because this person isn't even a writer outside of NaNo. I don't think they understand that, at least in my eyes, being the first to read a novel is like being told a personal secret. There's a little risk, a little pride, and a little trust involved, too. So frankly, the first person to read my novel is probably going to be one of my writing buddies, who is trudging through this with me instead of watching from the sidelines. And to a writer, that would make sense.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kyeiskitkat — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:49:57 -0500

Mom: "You should go to bed, you're sick." Me: "Can't. Must. Write. 2000. Words." Mom: "Just do it tomorrow!"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Hopeful lily — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:48:32 -0500

Most frustrating comment, after I've described the kind of story I'm writing: "Why don't you just write a best seller?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

the-lonely-angel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:01:56 -0500

It drives me mad when people (my sister in particular does this) ask about my word count, as if they actually care about my writing and want to be supportive. And then I tell them, and launch into a tangent about what's going on at that particular scene, and suddenly they shout irritably, "Would you shut up already? I don't care about your idiotic writing!" Whenever my sister does this to me, I want to strangle her. >.> And when I tell people (again, my sister is the one who does this often) that one of my friends has already got 50K and is continuing with her novel now, and I've got no way of keeping up with her, someone will say, "Well, that's stupid. Who would want to get their book done so early anyway?" Besides being incredibly rude to the writer who's gotten so far, it's extremely annoying. The entire purpose of NaNo is to be inspired to crank out as much wordage as you can, and I do that by scrambling to keep up with my writing buddies. I also worry about people's reactions to my writing. My work isn't really that immoral -- there's no swearing, and no sexual content. But I'm afraid my parents will think that I'm dark and twisted because I have a lot of bloodshed. I'm writing about a war, and there is a ridiculously high death rate. But really, I think that writing brings me closer to God. I can't say, of course, that I know His mind, but I think I have a better idea of how He feels as He watches us go about our lives. I've created life and enjoyed being with my characters. It distresses me when they disobey me. I am pained when they are, and it hurts me to see them suffer and die, and I can't get them out of there, because I have to let them face the consequences of their decisions and the decisions of others. Of course, I help them out quite a lot, and they'll eventually get a happy ending, but it's never enough.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Prudence Fang — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:04:37 -0500

That my first drafts are not perfect. So it bugs me when they pick up my notebooks, glance at them and then say stuff like: "I thought writers were supposed to have everything together already," or "I thought you would know how to spell that," or my (un)favorite: "I thought you said you were a serious writer. This doesn't look very serious to me." Gaaaaaah!!!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

airrizzon — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:17:05 -0500

I'm glad I found this topic, because it perfectly suits what just happened to me. I was having my first coffee of the day (I am DANGEROUS without it), when my roommate called up a guy I'm not particularly fond of. I heard her tell him that I'd go visit him when she did, so her boyfriend can have the apartment to himself for the day. After she gets off the phone I reminded her that I had to do nano today. Her argument was "You're already 2 weeks ahead of schedule! You can afford to take a day off!" For some reason she couldn't understand that every facedesk, every temper tantrum, and each and every moment of writers block was pure bliss for me. I love to write, no matter how frustrating it can be. That is what non-writers don't get.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

peachitalianice — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:16:18 -0500

Oh my gosh, this forum is soooooo great. I don't know that many writers, which is why my writers club every other Wednesday is like heaven on earth for me. So reading these.... you have no idea how good some of these made me feel. Or maybe you do. Since you're writers. =D My little brother doesn't understand the 'characters doing things without permission' either, and just said something about it a few hours ago. I was like, "Ohmygosh, the bad guys just captured Beth... I did not see that coming" and of course he said, "Wha? YOU'RE writing it!!!" But your subconscious can sometimes do things that help you, and fixing a story is one of them. I usually find that when something unexpected happens in my novel, it makes the story better!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

floraleee — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:44:28 -0500

My boyfriend told me, "Take your time on this! It'll be better!" So I politely responded, "If I do that It'll never get done. Better is called editing."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ohthatmomagain — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:48:00 -0500

My most difficult thing is when my husband decides he wants to talk when I'm trying to write lol.. especially during nanowrimo. The kids go to bed.. I've had a long day at work.. I just want to escape into my book.. and he wants to talk. Don't think I'm evil. I'd talk other times, but he doesn't seem to want too lol. I don't think he 'gets' it. Love him though...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

witchykristy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:18:25 -0500

1. Why I throw a hissy fit if one of my parents demands me to STOP writing. 2. Why I speak to myself whilst I write 3. Why my characters do whatever. I just write what they do xD I'm like a ninja journalist! I sound crazy right now xD But seriously, I usually don't even control what my characters do - at the moment, I have no freaking idea what the fudge my character is doing o____________o

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:36:10 -0500

I started writing a story when I was 11, and now, I'm 20, and it's been rewritten three times and I'm about to scrap almost everything and start it all over again. My family keep going "When's that novel going to be finished? Have you sent it to be published yet?" even when I said the day before that I hadn't started the rewrite yet. It's not going to appear in one day just because you asked! XD Oh, and when I finished last year's NaNo novel, when my mum read it, she thought I shouldn't rewrite it because it seemed fine the way it was. Despite the fact that it had no plan at all and there are so many mistakes it's insane. XD She didn't get it at all when I said the point of NaNo was to write the initial version. =P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fwritinggirl — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:39:20 -0500

People always assume that writing is simply a job. Yes, it could be, but it's so much more. They also assume that if I like English and writing, I must be crazy. I am actually crazy, but for different reasons.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Allie99 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:29:22 -0500

My family doesn't get that writing takes a lot of concentration and they keep interrupting me. This is quite frustrating and I often find myself locking my door and doing 3 am writing sessions just to get a little peace and quiet.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

awesome-me94 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:02:30 -0500

That even though I'm the writer I don't know everything that's going to happen.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

zeuslover1 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:50:47 -0500

I had this with a friend who was reading my story as I was writing it. I would work for a week and get about 10K done (this was not in November) and then print it out and let her read it. She couldn't believe that it took me a week to get it done. I was shocked when she was like, "Is this it?" I almost died. She kept asking for more, but trying to be polite. It was a little bit of a cattleprod for me to get done. Oh, and when people look at the finished novel they go beserk at the amount of paper. They can't believe that I wrote that much. Normally when I tell people I write, they're like, "Mmhmm. Yeah. it's just a fling like everyone goes through." I get mad that I'm labeled as another one of 'those people' who really don't take it seriously. They're "writers" not writers if you catch my drift. So, then I show them the stack of paper of one book and say, "Oh, yeah, and there are eight more like it. Plus about five to ten unfinished ones. Don't even think about the plot bunnies!" Then, they take it more seriously.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

zeuslover1 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:56:15 -0500

Oh, actual conversation: Brother: "Can I use the computer?" Mom: "No, your sister is using it." Brother: "She can use it later." Mom: "No, this is...November...she has to have it. It's only for a month, let it go." Brother: "Why does she have to have it?" Mom: "It's her NaNoWhatever thing, just let her have it." My mom was being all serious, like, -you take that computer away from her and she will go insane.- It was quite funny. My parents have now learned that in November I am antisocial and my room is where the computer lives. Of course, I did mention that I do write in other months, it's just not as...competitive.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JoAnn Doud — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:04:35 -0500

They seem to not understand that I need quiet. That when I announce my nightly writing time, it is not an invitation to discuss the latest movies or headlines, possible birthday party themes or what's for dinner tomorrow. GAH!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:48:49 -0500

My mum did it again tonight. xD I thought she was getting it, but she decided to tell my family at dinner that I was doing 'that writing thing' again, which I wasn't going to mention because I have to explain it, and my uncle was convinced that my 2010 NaNo novel had been published. When I said I only had one copy he went "Oh, published, printed, same thing." NO. It's not. XD My grandma then asked me to explain the plot and my mum actually said "Don't ask her that until after November, she doesn't know yet." Now she does get that bit! (Yeah, I'm on 50k and there's still gaping plot holes and I have no idea how it'll end. 8'D) However, my mum then ruined it by saying "Just because we're not writers doesn't mean we can't read. I think your 2010 novel was good and it doesn't need to be rewritten before you publish it." HELLO? My mother thinks my 2010 NaNo novel, written in 55 days with no plan and gaping plot holes, should be published as-is. I wanted to tear my hair out in frustration for a minute there. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

zeuslover1 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:37:42 -0500

Description of first draft vs. seventh draft: Think of Da Vinci's horse statue or pretty much any piece of art while I go through this simile. (Is it a simile, really? idk) First draft = sketch Most of the details are there and the sketch is pretty good, but there is a lot missing. Second draft = more detailed picture. Better still, probably enough to be noticed, but not the Mona Lisa by any standard. Third draft = first attempt at sculpting Basically like the sketch but 3D and more appealing to the reader Fourth/Fifth/any other number draft = Better sculpture Final draft = Publishing material How many times did it take Da Vinci to create his horse statue? (which was then melted into weapons for the national army, but we won't mention that. Oops, already did.) Compare this to a writer's drafts. And of course, my family and friends STILL don't get it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

britainsact1231 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:57:12 -0500

My friend didn't seem to understand that 50,000 words is actually quite a lot. I told him that no one writes that many words in a night, and he said "I don't know about that, I've written 3,000 words in one night by myself before." o_O

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Wolf Queen's Phantom — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:08:36 -0500

A friend tried to get me into making a character that was exactly like into my books. I said no. He asked why. I answered Writers have a tendency to change a character's traits or change something about the character and you may not like it. He tried ask me and told me the character. He learned his lesson and saw my point. I tried telling him to write his character's story. He said no. However, when he read one of stories and gave back to me; I noticed a lot of his handwriting in the places where there was a grammar mistake. I yelled at him for that because he should have only read it not fix it or add stuff to it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:34:44 -0500

For some reason, when I tell people that I have to write 50.000 words, they ask me to 'translate' that into pages. I usually reply "Well, last year, that was about 150 pages." Only then do the realize that it's a lot of words. Also, everyone around me seem to be baffled that I'm writing in English and not Danish. It's REALLY difficult to explain that even though yes, of course my Danish is better than my English, when I'm typing, it's usually on the internet and therefore in English. Therefore, I type faster in English and that is why it's the language I write in. If I did NaNo in Danish, I would NEVER finish!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

english_petal — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:10:21 -0500

I got told by one of my work collegues 'not to let it take over my life'. Sorry? Do I have to be doing something more important? I don't think so. Without spending time on it, how would I get anywhere with it?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

arualo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:53:48 -0500

About writing my NaNo-story: I don't do this because I want to get some kind of a reward or a prize, I do this because I want to challenge myself and see if I can do this. I also like the journey. About writing in general: It's harder than what I make it look like. I can't always come up with great and wonderful little stories for you. Especially if you're asking me to do it in a very little time. I need some kind of inspiration and if you have nothing inspiration-worthy to offer, then I can't write for you, sorry.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

thegothicpixie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:33:26 -0500

My mom doesn't get why I must absolutely spend some time in the evening writing, instead of studying for my classes. And would rather I talk with her about school instead of the latest plot happenings in my novel. As if I never study or mention things that happened in class. It's just that my novel is more on my mind than chemistry is. -_-

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

SpellingDoesntCount — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:57:03 -0500

A teacher once asked me what the hardest thing about writing was for me. I stared at the piece of paper and thought, "You're an English teacher. Shouldn't you know that every aspect of writing is hard?" And once a sent a manuscript to a friend, and his only response was, "It was good, stop worrying." My reaction? "I'm going to kill you..."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lirael Astarael — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:57:44 -0500

I've seen this one on this thread a lot, but it's so true. Non-writers just don't seem to understand that the writer doesn't always know what's coming next. For example, I shared with my sister and my dad that my MC's family had unexpectedly decided to join her quest, and they gave me the classic "but you wrote it" line. I told my sister that my characters and my novel itself control how the story goes, not me. Needless to say, she didn't understand. :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Foxstar2000 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:23:59 -0500

I write fanfiction, both for this NaNo and not, and I've never met anyone that understands that fanfiction is creative too. Well, not that I've told many people about it, but still. They seem to think that if it's not original, it's not really worth anything. They can't grasp that fanfiction is just taking what an author built and working with it, changing things, fixing things, making it better and different. Friend: What are you doing? Me: Writing for NaNo. Friend. Oh. What are you writing about? Me: Harry Potter and Warrior Cats. Friend: Oh. You're too obsessed with your Harry Potter and cat stuff. You're boring. My friend actually took my writing away and told me I was boring yesterday. Even my parents, if I'm on the computer and reading fanfiction and they ask me what I'm doing, I just respond "Reading." Dad: Oh, your Harry Potter stuff. : /

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kay Proctor — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:52:12 -0500

That writing is an ART, it requires creativity and is a medium just like a painting or a film. Seriously. I go to an art school and it's amazing how many people turn their nose up at writing simply because it isn't a bunch of pretty pictures.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dripping_Melody — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:56:48 -0500

I somehow have managed to keep my innocence in the world of writing... because I have read some of the complaints and not seen them as so bad. I guess, I'd be flattered if someone thought my writing was so good that they would ask me to write something for them. let's see, this is my first year doing nanowrimo and its been about 4 yrs since i decided to take the path of a writer. What kind of status does that give me in the writing world? A newly hatched, a starting to age, certainly not an aged and wise writer, tho thts for sure. Hmm, i dont mind so much showing unedited work to people, as long as its not inappropiate/romantic/ i kno the person well.actually, even edited inappropiate and romance to people i kno well is hard to show. Umm, wht non-writers dont understand... well... huh, not sure.i guess the importance of writing? usually i luv showing off my writing.umm, k thts it peace out.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Airen Rin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:30:35 -0500

I was once told that I wasn't a writer because I didn't bring a pencil (I brought a pen on that occasion). On another occasion, I was also told that since I didn't have a professional looking pen, I wasn't a writer. And finally, the same moron who told me all of the above told me that since I didn't have everything down to the last detail planned out when I got started, I'm not a writer. ... Why don't he write the book and then tell me that?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

madelinehayes — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:23:14 -0500

My best friend is struggling with this: his boyfriend let me read what he was writing. But his boyfriend won't let him read it. I'm like, "It's a writer thing, dude. Writers are more likely to ask for feedback from other writers than they are anywhere else - whether you're dating the person or not." And now he's jealous. He's all like, "Oh, you and my boyfriend are BFF now, huh?" Yeah, totally.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Sirithduriel — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:50:53 -0500

Saying 'I have to' as an answer to 'why do you draw/write' is both true and deeply uncomfortable to say. It makes you sound almost unhealthy and reveals almost a weakness, as if it makes you inferior for not getting through life without it. It's not accepted to need to draw or to paint. But when all is said and done, I do. I'm not naturally an open person or someone who knows how to deal with feelings very well. Writing, painting, etc, help me getting those thoughts out into the world. My brain needs it to function normally and my greatest fears revolve around not being able to paint or write for some reason. I have very supportive friends and family, who appreciate my skills and know nothing ever comes easily, but I think even they would be surprised at how deep it goes for me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Saspirilla — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:58:19 -0500

The parents understand that when I'm really upset, or grieving, I write down my feelings because I can't talk about those kinds of emotions. Usually ends up as poetry.But when it comes to writing a novel? In a month? All that 'fantasy rubbish'? Nope. They seem to believe, like many, that a first draft is publishable. Ha! I also get the: "why do you write?" question from people who really should know better. See aforementioned hard-to-talk-about-emotions thing. Writing helps me explore that. You'd think someone who's played a violin since she was small as a creative outlet would understand that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

luvinpadfoot — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:47:33 -0500

That yes, my characters are real to me and it does not make me crazy if I say I hate them and they're out to get me No you cannot read my book when I'm done because it might never be done. And you will definately not be the first to read it because A) you aren't a writer and B) we have one class together and I don't even like you enough to bother remembering your name. That just because I cover up my writing does NOT mean it's inappropriate. It means I don't want you to read it. Mr characters are not direct representations of myself! Yes, I do sometimes base a character off myself, but usually that character has some minor role and doesn't always appear in the actual novel. I create characters. If a character is anorexic, it does not mean I'm concerned about my weight. It means a character is concerned about her weight. If there's suicide in a story, it does not mean I want to die. If I do ask you to read my story I expect more than "sounds good". I want to know what you liked about it, what you hated, what scenes were written well, etc. Give me something more than "it was good". When I have a sign on my door that says "WRITING- Do Not Disturb" it means I am writing. Do not disturb me. It is the same when I have a sign on my door that says "TESTING- Do Not Disturb". You don't interrupt me during my test so why would you interrupt me when I'm writing? I don't know how to describe my story to you. Whatever I say will be wrong and/or incomplete. When I refer to it as "random stuff" it usually means I don't want you to know. Writing some stupid does not make me a bad writer. If it's a romance with characters who have no personalities and do nothing but coo over each other for ten pages, I probably wrote it because I was upset and needed something stupid and fluffy in my life. You were also probably not supposed to read it. Wow this was long winded. I don't have many writer friends and I love my friends, they just don't always understand.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mei_Mia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:51:10 -0500

yes... my mum asked me today as i typed away on my lap top at the kitchen table, "let me get this straight... There's no judges to read what you wrote... and there's no actual prize?" 'no, mum. It's the pride one has in themselves for having set a challenge, and completed it..' "Yes, challenge - clean your room. In the meantime, there is no reason to write this if you don't win anything." "mum. I like writing. And this is motivational, i've been meaning to write out this idea for a while." (character was lurking in the back of my mind for a couple of months without any story :S ) *mum looks at me like I'm crazy* *i return the look* 'mum. I think there's actually a thread on their website about exactly such situations. Something about how non-writers just don't understand writers...' *mum raises eyebrow and walks off* :/ lol

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ParticleMan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:09:02 -0500

My mother always told me how sorry she was for not being a drunken, abusive whore and thus depriving the world of another artist. So basically, I come from a creative family and surround myself with creative people annnnd.... I don't really have this problem.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JacenTheBard — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:15:39 -0500

I inflict the opposite on my Boy and friends too often. I get excited about what I'm writing and then want to tell them about it, and most of the time I get "Let me just read it when you're done!" And then of course it's "Do you know how far off that is?! I want to tell you now!" Oh, well. They're patient. I'm excitable. /backtowork

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

IzzyRoxUrSox14 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:32:49 -0500

People don't understand why I love writing. I can't really give them a reason that I assume they are looking for, because mine is, "It's why I love to do, and it makes me happy." They also don't get why I'm so serious about my stories. I treat them like babies. I will stop at nothing to make sure that no one steals them, and I'll defend them no matter what. They are mine, and I love them. They ALSO (lol) don't get the character process. I take time, think of names, appearances, personalities and such. They ask me why I do so much work for something. I usually tell them that I need to make everything perfect so that when it comes time to publish, I'll have less of a chance of getting rejected by all the publishers I send to. By the way, am I the only one who prints of calendars with dates so that I can organize when things happen in my novel? One of my writing friends also does it, but I want to see who else does XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ParticleMan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:32:51 -0500

I keep a calendar, but it just has my daily word count/word goals. I keep my stories so well-plotted in my head (sometimes on paper, too) that I don't need a calendar of events, I just go. Also, I always spend a lot of time while cooking/watching TV/punching people in the face thinking about what I'll do the next day. It's really organized... in a spastic, free-form kind of way.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:34:14 -0500

I don't know about anyone else, but I hate it when people ask me what I am writing (not "hey, can I see your writing?" but "So, what kinds of things do you write?") when I've not actually finished a story yet. The question always makes me feel like I ought to have some portfolio of piece of literary art that I can whip out and show people when they ask. Of course, that may be because my sister actually does that with her paintings. Does anyone else feel like that or is it just me?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dripping_Melody — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:39:05 -0500

That you can't just , POOF, change the gender of a character...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

cleobourne — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:49:52 -0500

I have been excited about the pace and flow and continuity of my story for once its working out easlily. I write maybe once a year with nano. and when I first started I told my husband what the idea that started it all was, and now whenever I say 'well my MC has to die in order to tie the ending together." I get "Well thats not what you started out with! Your losing the essence of your story!" When I try to explain to him that the story is evolving and that I've never seen someone write from front to back like a diagram or graph without something happening volenterally or involentarily. And I tried to explain to him that one of my characters decided to do X something and he was like, they don't control you you control them! So I tried to explain why things had developed like they had and I just ended up sounding crazy. T T. The one person I want to be supportive is completely Un. So I feel like when I'm trying to tell him I have x amount of words left for the day hes like just dont write at all come hang out with me or clean, you should clean. Or how long will that take you today like all day? It might if you keep freaking bothering me with 'get a drink for me please' ect.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kittenn1011 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:02:51 -0500

I ran into a funny issue the other day. I was complaining to a friend of mine about how I really dislike the name "Bernice" and the character with the name has become a main character. Her friend, who earlier proclaimed herself a "critic" (of writing), said, "Stop complaining. If it bothers you so much, change it." Three of my friends defended me on the fact that character's names can't be changed anymore than a person's can be. (While possible, your name is your identity and there's so much paperwork that has to be changed if you do so, anyways. Find and Replace can't get every accidental misspelling.) Then she said, "Oh. Then just refer to them by a nickname. Duh." My response? "My narrator is third-person omniscient. I can't do that just for her, it wouldn't make sense." And she didn't even understand what I said. Yeah, she has a nickname that other characters call her, but so does everyone else. Consistency is important, and I have no more reason to call her by a nickname than the other characters. Not to mention it wouldn't fit my narrator doing so! Non writers don't understand that sometimes you have to make choices for the good of your story even if you don't always like some of them.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:54:47 -0500

No one understands why I spend so much time thinking of the 'perfect' name for a character, even a minor one. Especially my brother. He's like, "names are random in real life, why can't they be in stories?" In my mind, they just can't be. Names in books have meaning. An Allie will behave differently than an Ali in my mind. I cannot convince anyone else of this.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

velvettouch_connectingdots — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:49:24 -0500

They don't understand why I'm always reading and looking up random stuff. And why I like to sit by myself with my iPod blaring in my ear at the top of the staircase on the third floor of the one building where there's only two classes there. And how I can write stuff about gay people without being gay or bi myself. And how crazy writers can get. Especially if the plot or the character isn't agreeing with you.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Hailey — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:31:23 -0500

After my first nano, I went around telling everyone I had finished. Most people responded with, "is it getting published?" as if that was the only way in which it would matter that I had written. Another loathesome response is when I say my characters are getting out of hand, and non writers ask why I don't just make them do what I want them to I also hate that people think that if I write something and trash it, it was a waste of time. Anything I write makes me a better writer, because it's practice. When you're practicing soccer and you have a really off day, does that mean you wasted that practice? And when people don't think fanfiction is "serious writing." It's not what I want to do with my life or anything, but it is a very good writing exercise, because you are working on either changing a plot in a set world, or developing characters in a set plot, or just playing with somebody else's characters, plot, and world for a while, and every one of this is good practice.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Espea — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:06:00 -0500

My mom doesn't get that writing isn't just a grade killer. She found out that I was doing Nano again (after she told me not to) and she said if it affected my grades, she would take my laptop away. Thing is, I'm going to college and I need a computer to survive (I take a math course online). Of course if she did follow through, I would just spend all of my time at the library with my trusty flash drive, but I'm not about to tell her that she gave me an empty threat. :p

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Prudence Fang — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:48:18 -0500

Writing is my life. I need it, or I'll die. They ask things like 'Can't you put it down for a couple of days?' and I feel like laughing at them a little bit. No. Never. I can't 'just put it down'. Leaving home without at least one notebook is like leaving the house naked for me and people don't get that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

apocalypticangel47 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:34:02 -0500

Some people don't understand how I can sit there with a blank document and turn it into something worthy without much work (though going back and editing is always useful). I can't answer people when they ask questions like that, or if they ask how I did it. I don't know: some people have it and others don't. I've personally always wondered how all those math geeks understand what's going on in those thick algebra books, but they can't answer that easily either. Another common question is about my secrecy. My English teacher (who thinks I'm amazing. I personally don't get it...) has asked me numerous times why I don't show my mom my work. Truly I don't know why I'm secretive, especially with someone I'm close with, so I can't answer her either. I think a lot of writers, even those with a pull towards the publishing companies, want to keep their ideas theirs, even if the person is their mom, dad, sibling, spouse, close friend, etc. Sometimes you want the whole world to see your work, but not your neighbors. It's weird, but that's how it goes.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

japhys_rider — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:21:04 -0500

I'm an English teacher, so you'd think my colleagues at least would get it. But everyone thinks it's absolutely crazy. I respond with the idea that practicing my guitar for an hour a day would be normal, or drawing for an hour a day would be normal, I just choose to write a story for an hour a day. But it's funny how many people think publishing is simple and easy. I wish!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

happybee32 — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:51:41 -0500

I think the thing that most people don't understand is that writers (me, at least) is the fact that we are spontaneus. We are creative. But when other people tell me to write something that is non-fiction, my mind goes blank. *BUZZURP* Also, they don't get how i don't like other people reading my stories. Classmates are fine. Parents? Nope. Sometimes, i think it's almost insulting how hard they try to trick me into letting them read my stories. One time my brother hit me with a pillow so that he could read it. I can never leave my story up on the computer if i leave the room. It's sad.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Another Anonymous Person — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:42:08 -0500

My friends don't understand that I have to actually WRITE the story before its finished, and that I need TIME to write it. -.- And, also, I like surprising people with my stories. Once I let them read the first chapter or prologue, they want to read the rest of the story. What about the surprise and newness of the story when it's all finished and edited?! Thank you for listening.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:22:30 -0500

My mom has literally told me that she thinks my writing is a waste of time. The reason that she thinks this is that there is no finished document that she can frame or show off to people, like my brother's origami or my sister's artwork. She doesn't understand that writing is a continuously ongoing process that cannot be finished in one go.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fwritinggirl — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:26:50 -0500

How most conversations about my novel go: "Oh, you're writing a novel? Can I read some?" "No." "Why not? Don't you want to be published?" "Well, yeah." "Well people will read it then!" "But it's not ready to be read. It sucks right now." "Oh, I'm sure that's not true!" "Well, it is." "Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure it's good." "It's not. And I'm not being hard on myself. It's a first draft. It's supposed to suck." "Oh, I'm sure it's great! So can I read it?" "...no."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:46:01 -0500

My family don't seem to have grasped the fact that just because I've passed 50k now, it doesn't mean that I've stopped doing NaNo. They know my novel isn't finished and will probably not be until I pass 100k or so, but they keep insisting on trying to drag me away from my computer to go places with them and help out with stuff, and so I find it hard to get back into my writing stride. And when I say I'm still writing, they go "Oh, but you've passed your 50,000, so it doesn't matter as much now." YES IT DOES. I'm an overachiever. My personal targets are always higher than 50k. XD *sigh* Also, my mum keeps nagging at me to get my novels published. As if it's that easy. XD According to her, since I finished my NaNo 2010 novel, I've 'done nothing with it, like all my novels'. Um. Over the past year, I've kind of been busy with commission artwork, so I didn't have much time to write. Just because I haven't been physically writing doesn't mean the rewrite isn't being planned. My new year's resolution is to get the rewrite done. And on that note, my family don't understand the concept of rewriting AT ALL. My mum read my 2010 novel and said she thought it was 'so good it didn't need a rewrite'. When I told her there were gaping plot holes, she went "Well, I didn't notice them, so it's fine." AARGH. And my grandma just goes "I don't understand why you writers just fiddle about writing things over and over again. Why not just write it well the first time?" I just have to grit my teeth and end the conversation quite a lot of the time, and then they wonder why I won't tell them how my writing's going. I love my family, I really do - but they just DON'T GET IT. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

writingismydrug — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:05:09 -0500

I hate that people are like, 'Can you write me a character?!' Or, 'Hey, can you base a character off of me?!' No! I can't! I've planned this all out already, and you as a person do not fit into because you cannot go through what my characters go through. No, I can't write you a character! And the question, 'How's your writing going?' Because I'm more of a 'the glass it half empty' person, I immediately feel terrible, and then just put on a fake smile and say, 'It's coming along.' And when you say that you're writing and people ask what class you're doing it for and you say 'I'm just writing. It's part of my novel.' And then they're so shocked that you want to write. If we writers didn't write, you wouldn't have books, plays, movies, and many other things. It amazes me at how much the world ignores the influence of writers.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Iago Grey — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:26:01 -0500

I don't know if I'm alone in this, but often when I tell people that I like writing stories, they'll come to me and say 'Hey, you should write a story about.... **insert half-formed cliche story here**" And it's like, no, I will write stories about what I want to write, not YOUR ideas. If you like the idea, write the story yourself.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

idle-dream — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:24:36 -0500

I always get comments like "Oh, when you're a rich best-selling author, you can buy me _____." As if it's that easy! Or they say that I'm going to be the next JK Rowling just because I said that I like writing. I mean, I'd love to be recognized for my writing and get paid to do it for a job, but JK Rowling is a rare case.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kctejada — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:42:51 -0500

Most of my irks have already been mentioned (and based on the comments, I'm grateful for having a supportive mother), and all of these have been brought up in general terms, so I'm just going to put up a few specific examples of irritating things people have said, mostly because I find them both aggravating and funny. And my overly snarky response, because, well, because we're all thinking it. I think... Also, almost all of these are from the same 2 people: one doesn't write but seems to think he'd be a great writer, the other sort of writes and seems to think she has a great idea for a children's book. "Dude, scrap that story and use the title for the idea we had, because that title rocks, but the story is implausible." (Um, for one, I'm not scrapping that story, two, I already came up with a more fitting title for your story and three, the first story is more plausible then your overdone liberties and implausible characterizations for our story). "Dude, scrap that story and focus on the other one because you can't do two stories with the same plot." (Um, (a) yes I can; plot are general and (b) these stories have NOTHING IN COMMON. One is a bunch of friends going on a road trip for revenge; the other is a mystery where the prime suspect has a revenge motive. So what, every story with a revenge motive is exactly the same? By that logic, "Lethal Weapon II" is a rip-off of "Hamlet" which is a rip-off of "The Oresteia" because they all have revenge motives.) "Dude, rewrite that story, have us break into a gated Yuppie community 'Mission: Impossible' style and have a news crew there." (The story is about three kids who are 12 crashing a end-of-school year party in Junior High. Okay, JUNIOR HIGH. What kind of local news does a story on a Junior High not-even-a-graduation party? And I'm not completely changing the overdone tension of throwing water balloons and missing so you can get your spy-wannabe fetish on. And didn't you just tell me that the other story with these same characters was implausible and you expect me to buy THIS?). "Dude (I don't remember if he actually said 'Dude' this much, but I always associate him with doing so), you should have a scene in your screenplay where a car comes down this (pedestrian) bridge! That would be cool!" (This was to another friend who also writes, because he apparently realized I wasn't listening to him. The other friend was annoyed at him, so he just berated the idea-and he normally berates nothing). "Dude, you can't do that in a story!" (Yes I can. Yes I did. So there!) "Dude, you should write (his generic action thriller movie story idea that he insists is better then my character driven story about a couple of friends on a roadtrip driving each other insane)." (Write you own generic action/thriller movie. Like you keep saying you should). "Dude, the best Sci/fi is the most plausible--you should stop writing that story and write something else!" (Wow, he sounds the same. See, the advice here is partially sound, but the problem is (a) his definition of 'plausible' differs from mine and (b) this is coming from someone who's Sci/fi writing is comprised entirely of having a third friend write his idea for the worst brand of Mary Sue "Star Trek" fanfiction, where there's a character based on himself acting like the biggest wannabe William Shatner ever, he gave my character the ability to turn into a Tribble after getting some liquid spilled on him and the biggest setback of the story was a real-life argument with me over whether the humanoid or the little fish thingy was the Trill of the Trill species! And this was pre-internet, so we couldn't just look it up. The worst part? This whole "plausible" thing was a ploy to get me to make my story a part of his Star Trek fanfiction story because he didn't like how I depicted a character based loosely on him). "Dude, same with fantasy." (says the person who's never read fantasy, EVER). "Dude, you can't write 'Star Wars' fanfiction! It's a rip-off!" (This was directed at a different friend, but still: says the person who attempted to write really bad "Star Trek" fanfiction. Also, the friend he was directing this at? He was the one "commissioned" to write said "Star Trek" fanfiction). "No, don't do that in your story, it's cliched. Do (mentions something else that's either completely contrived or more cliched) instead!" (I'm writing the story: I decide what devices to use. And you still don't write yourself!). "If there's a wedding on a beach, I want to read about what the beach looks like." (So, you want a story of nothing but scenery description? I don' t know, I hear "wedding on beach" and I already have a beach imagined. I want to hear about the bride panicking about the dress, the groom panicking about his family, the best man who's bitter, the bridesmaid who's depressed and the other guests with all sorts of personal issues, because that's more interesting to me then what the beach looks like. Her complaint was aimed at the fact that I focused too much on the characters and not enough on description. When I heard this, but before I could respond, someone else actually said "I don't know: I'd rather hear about the wedding party." THANK YOU). "I had a hard time with your story: you didn't describe what your main characters look like." (First off, this was a rough draft-I eventually added physical descriptions of the characters but that's typically the last thing I add. Second off, I had the personalities of those characters down; barring a physical description, I imagine people I know in that spot. If you can't imagine the three or some odd characters because you don't have a image solely because of the lack of a description, the fault is yours). (after telling this person that I had at least one friend who liked my lack of physical description of the characters because he imagined his friends and it made the story real and more personal to him): "No it doesn't." (Of course: you're right and the other friend is wrong, end of story). (After explaining a plot involving a college in a world where everyone can wield magic, but having the college be a minor part of the story because I didn't want to write "Harry Potter and the Freshman 15"): "Oh, you should add (insert character and/or theme based on something at the school), and (more of the same) and get rid of this 'everyone uses magic'". (Okay, most of your suggestions aren't that good and don't fit with what I'm going for, I'm not trying to write an allegory on our college and you're turning this story into "Harry Potter and the Freshman 15"-which is what I didn't want. You want to make a commentary on our school in the form of a fantasy novel, do it yourself while you're writing your children's book. And I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how a world were everyone wields magic would work: I'm not abandoning it because you want a traditional fantasy universe). "It's been done." (This description came up with so many stories, but her definition of "it's been done" was so broad that it pretty much encompassed all literature post "Gilgamesh." By her logic, I shouldn't even be writing because whatever I write has already been done. Oh, I just remembered this: the story she was the above-high magic story and I was describing it to her what I had after I incorporated her and another friend's suggestions. So she was describing her own changes to the story). "Oh, this character seems like they're based on me! I want that character to (insert, "Super Abilities," "Infinite Magic," "one-liners" and "running gag where he smashes cans on his head.")" (No. And if you keep it up, I'll have a character based on you in my next story turn into the Scrappy and kill them off ingloriously). Ek, this is longer then I thought. Bottom line: you think you have a better story idea? Write it yourself.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

StubbornOne — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:39:19 -0500

I can't call myself a writer, but there are some things that my friends have said to me, like "Why must you use xxx setting? It's boring! You should use xxx setting!" and when I tell him no, he goes "You are being too stubborn. Study has shown that people naturally reject advice from others, but as a result..." I know that he's being helpful, but it stings whenever he says that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

IzzyRoxUrSox14 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:42:27 -0500

also, i get asked this a lot "You say you like writing so much, how come you hate writing essays?" Me: "Well, writing essays is a forced thing. Writing novels and stories is more, me. I get my expression, and won't ultimately have to get graded." "Well what about publishers?" "Wel they're not really making decisions on college and high school entries are they?" "I suppose not." "So do you get it now?" "...Sorta." *facenotebook*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:31:11 -0500

I've actually come across quite a few writers who don't get it. Someone made a thread on the graphics, writing and art forums of an anime website I'm on, asking if anyone was going to take part in NaNo, and there were some really indignant people. One person went as far as to say that she thought NaNo's attitude was 'disgusting' because they said they 'mocked' real authors. She didn't seem to realise it was intended as a joke. XD Also, a writer on deviantART just wrote this in response to someone I know quitting Nano: 'It's kind of a neat endurance trial, but I wouldn't expect anyone who is worth their weight in literary merit to write that much in a single month.' ... It's not meant to be good, that's the point! X'D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

neonspider — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:04:59 -0500

One of my friends thinks it's SO easy to crank out 10k. But she never even wrote one word for NaNo after signing up.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Arya Svit-Kona — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:41:03 -0500

That no, you can't see what I've written, and I don't care you're my mother/sister/brother/other relative. I've gotten that so much. I have a hard enough time showing my mum my essays for school. Only two people are allowed to see my writing and they are other NaNoers. That just because there isn't a prize doesn't mean that there's no point. My younger sister and I had an argument over this. She just couldn't understand why I was doing this if there wasn't a prize. My dad didn't understand either. *sighs*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

nooneyouknow2012 — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:47:16 -0500

There are a couple things I've noticed. Firstly I must admit I am not a serious writer. I've completed three nanowrimos but I haven't liked any of my stories enough to complete the editing phase, but each one I like more than the last and this time I might actually finish it to the point where it's shiny enough for someone else to read it. So not being a serious writer I don't particularly care about the idea of publishing. Sure, someday, maybe it would be nice, that's just not my goal and this is the first thing no one can understand. Most people seem to think writing should only be undertaken with the idea of publishing. The second thing people don't understand is why I'm a Physics major not an English major. I enjoy writing as a hobby, but everyone seems to think this means I should make it my life's work. I just happen to be a well rounded person who can enjoy writing while also being passionate about math and science.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tooterfish — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:03:50 -0500

"Are you still writing?" "You won the writing thing? What did you get?" "Why can't I watch BSG? It's not going to mess your story up. Just don't think about Cylons when you're writing your androids. You'll be fine."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CatOfManyWhiskers — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:58:35 -0500

One thing which REALLY annoys me is when people don't understand that the characters have a life of their own. Someone says 'ooh, it would be cool if they did that' and I say 'uh, no.' "Why not?" "Because (character) wouldn't like it." "...They're just in your head, you know that, right?" "Yeah, but they're in MY head, and so if I make them do something they don't want, it's MY mind they yell at." "Seriously? They're not real!" "So what? Doesn't mean I can make them do anything I want!" "-edges away- Whatever." This also explains my slightly antisocial tendencies. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookmonster — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:20:29 -0500

When people ask me to make a character based off of them, or to even just name a character after them. I don't like naming characters after people who I see on a regular basis (like my classmates or family members) because they might do something they don't like or they might die (I kill a lot of characters in my books).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookmonster — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:35:19 -0500

Oh, and this: "well why do you have to do it in November, why not any other month?" *sigh*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

VGJekyll — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:07:20 -0500

I used to write a slashy Harry Potter fanfic some years ago with someone I met online. We hit it off quite well and I considered her a good friend of mine. Unfortunately, she got a boyfriend who apparently talked it into her head that it was awful and bad to write fanfiction about two boys who have sex. She deleted all her stories from the internet and told me in a last e-mail that she was sorry she couldn't continue writing with me anymore. I've never heard of her again. I tried to get into contact with her again, to no avail. It still saddens me sometimes when I see that abandoned story. I just think it is awful that someone can bash your work like that, only because they happen to disagree with something, and even to the point that someone gets so insecure and sad about it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:26:42 -0500

Lol, I'll usually tell people that 50k isn't as much as they think it is. But if someone who doesn't know what 50k looks like comes up to me and tells me that it's easy and that anyone can do it, I get a little bit irritated. Yes... anyone can do it. Yes, I'm very sure that if you decided it was something you wanted to do, you'd manage it -- the point is that you haven't done it. Go and do it and then you can tell me exactly what you think about it but I don't really want to hear you spout opinions at me until you have a clue. Just because it's ACHIEVABLE that doesn't necessarily make it EASY. And I'm always hearing about these fabulous unwritten novels. I'll mention writing to somebody I'll know and I'll get, "Oh, I've been thinking about writing a novel. Yeah, it's a better idea than your idea," Okay. If you can write something better than I can, go ahead. Chances are I'll be the first one to pat you on the back and congratulate you. I'll probably perk up once I catch the scent of writing and I'll help you worldbuild, plot, develop your characters, etc. if you want it. But you don't actually get to gloat about it until you're holding it in your hand. 0 words = 0 credit.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Red Queen — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:29:00 -0500

I really seem to be so damn lucky that my family supports me the way they do. Like, not complaining when I miss breakfast AND lunch just because I needed to finish that scene at 4am... What annoys me is when people ask why I so stubbornly insist on writing for a living (at least that's what I'm aiming at... I still have a plan B if needed, though). As in "Why don't you just become a doctor/lawyer/teacher/whatever, you are smart enough, you could keep writing on weekends." First of all, doctors don't get weekends off here so easily. I have a friend who works in the medical system, and he gets a free weekend every other month, if he's lucky. Second, I. Don't. Want. To. Be. A. Lawyer. I just don't. I want to do what I do best and what I *like* best. Sure, I could settle for a regular job if I had to, but even then I would choose one that I like, not one that makes me rich on the expense of free time/family/friends/my soul. If I'm able to get by on a job that leaves me enough time to write a few hours every day, I'd always choose it over a job that pays well, but leaves me exhausted every single day. Seriously, it's MY choice, and I made it long ago. Deal with it. Another problem I have is actually with fellow writers. I'm currently studying on one of the two universities in Germany who offer a major in creative writing. We still have a long way to go until a degree in CW is accepted as a "real" degree here... Anyway, in our department, there are mostly those who write what they call "higher literature" (as opposed to formula/genre fiction). I'm one of two (!) people in my year who write fantasy (or anything BUT their precious higher literature, for that matter). Whenever I remind them of what I write (in a discussion or whatever), they give me a look which I know now means something close to "Oh, right, you are writing that stuff that isn't really literature...". Sometimes I feel the urge to slam them against a wall and tell them that I don't condemn and insult *their* writing just because it's a genre I don't read that often (it just doesn't appeal to me). So could you PLEASE stop humiliating MY writing just because it is not what YOU like?! Jeez, they are writers themselves and act like total morons sometimes, and I don't have a clue why...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

stargatetribe — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:03:16 -0500

Today my friend admitted to me that when I preface a sentance with "Because I'm a writer" I come off as arrogant and show-offy. This buddy of mine and I have a lot of conversations about television and I often have some opinions that I think are formed because of the fact my brain is wired like a writer, where his definitely isn't. Most of these opinions are about relationships, like families or friends and their dynamics, so when I say "Because I'm a writer this and this and this" then what I mean is that "Because I like playing around with character development and psychology this is what I think is happening". I tried to explain it to him but he just couldn't get it out of his head that I was trying to make myself sound more important than him because I write. Sigh. Non-writer people just don't get it. .....Then again..... ......maybe it's just me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:31:48 -0500

1. I don't write poetry anymore--it stopped working. 2. You would be traumatized by what I wrote, probably. 3. Dad can vouch for that--he understands how I get to the type of things I write. XD (And he knows how it started, too...Watching LOTR, The Patriot, Saints and Soldiers, Narnia, and Harry Potter all within a five-year span after a diet of Disney animated movies. No, none of those movies scared me in the slightest.) 4. I don't like writing essays because there's too much form in it. The form helps them, but I hate it. I'd rather use the things for the essays in my story and present it that way, but teachers don't like that. :(

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Septadius — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:00:48 -0500

Friend: "What is the point of writing a book, when you don't let anyone read it?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

emberwing — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:39:59 -0500

Oh, so you finished your writing thing. Did you win? What was your prize? Silly non writers, EVERYONE who wrote 50k is a winner, and I got a whole bunch of story written. Isn't that reward enough?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bobo_the_bard — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:47:34 -0500

"You can stay up until 4 in the morning to write. Why can't you just go to bed early and get up at 5 in the morning and write?" ...So apparently it's all right if I stay up late and finish my homework, but it's not okay to stay up late and write. Mom: "Why can't you show your sister your draft? She's interested." Me: "Because it's not ready yet!" Mom: "But she can give you her input!" Me: "But it doesn't make any sense! It's just a bunch of disjointed scenes! Let me correct the things that I know need correcting first!" Mom: *still not convinced that I'm not just holding my novel hostage* Me: *discussing, not complainng about, plot hole problems and other issues* Mom: "If you're having so many issues, then don't do a big long novel. I keep telling you this, but you refuse to listen. Write some short stories." Me: "I have no problem with short stories...AFTER NOVEMBER!" I mean, I do write short stories. The point is, writing them is still not going to fix my novel!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookmonster — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:38:08 -0500

That just because I'm looking at a baby name cite does not mean that I'm pregnant, I'm just looking up names for characters.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MegaPaopu — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:42:23 -0500

I showed one of my friends something I was writing before. She said she was excited to know what happened next. I said, me too! She says: "But... you're writing it." =/

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

everyoneelsehasthoughtofmyothernames — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:11:16 -0500

Just because I'm a writer doesn't mean that words come pouring out constantly-- I get stuck a LOT and when it's not November I sometimes need weeklong breaks from whatever I'm writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:04:46 -0500

-_- We cannot develop a whole set of fictional laws then just "Break em" because you became attached to someone slated to die. We try and be CONSISTENT with our writing

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:08:08 -0500

I had this friend and I told her I'm writing a novel and she says, "Great and when you're done, I can look over it and correct all your grammer mistakes." I just wanted to slap her in the face. Instead, I said, "I was in Dave's class. It's the equivalent of a college freshman English course. You will do nothing." Then I bit my tongue so I would say anymore. It infuriates me when nonwriters think that we writers have all the creativity yet none of the literary ability. If I didn't have the literary ability, I'd hire a ghost writer. Goodness!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Gemma Knott — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:39:41 -0500

I have my unedited novel on a writing site I use. I got tons of great feedback from other users who did Nano, but one person went through the entire intro and picked out all the grammar and spelling mistakes. Because I'm TOTALLY not going to fix all the words I spelt wrong when I was trying to write FIFTY THOUSAND EFFING WORDS! rant over. On another note, my parents don't actually know I write. Other than how much I enjoy any fictional writing I do because of school. I was in a bookstore with my mother a few days after nano finished. I was trying to find an opening to tell her I did and won nano, so I picked up a book I knew was a published nano novel. I explained about the 50k goal, and she made it clear that she didn't think highly of people who'd attempt nano. Obviously I didn't tell her I did nano. :(

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:07:22 -0500

That I really don't care if there are any prizes after this. PRIZES. ARE. NOT. THE. POINT. OF. THIS!!!!! Sheesh. That yes, I do in fact have a life, it's just not exactly similar to theirs. They don't seem to understand why I'm yelling at them, "PEOPLE! STOP WATCHING ME WHILE I'M WRITING AND GO DO SOMETHING ELSE!!!" Is it that hard to understand that I don't like them reading while I'm typing? Yes, sometimes it IS okay to edit out parts of my story, not just add to it more and and more to make that part work out. I don't want a bajillion pages in my story just so that a page in my story makes sense. >.>

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:14:24 -0500

And, oh yeah, just because I like writing creative stories does NOT mean I like writing essays. So no, I will not write your essays for you nonwriters because I like writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tiasanaa — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:18:49 -0500

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but since I, for lack of a better term, came out as a writer, the majority of people I know are determined for me to make a character just like them. The argument, "I already have the characters planned out" doesn't work - "Oh, can't you just name a cat or something else after me?" Any tips on how to refuse without sounding rude would be appreciated, because everyone seems to take it as a personal attack.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Katarinea — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:41:59 -0500

"I'm telling a story, not writing one." At least for me, I get SUCH strange looks when I say something like this. For me, at least, it's very true! The "characters" turn into real people in my head, and I start telling their story.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Breakingchains — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:01:03 -0500

Agreeing with what others have said: just because I write about it doesn't mean I approve of it. Example: I have a character in one project who was raised by a thief. She sorta knows that "stealing is wrong", but when someone pisses her off, she takes it as a legitimate excuse to rob them blind. Because, pfft, they're jerks, why not? I show how she came to have this worldview, and I portray her sympathetically. But that doesn't mean I approve of crime, or that I think her selfish actions just make her "spunky" or a "charming rogue". Same goes for all her flaws--paranoia, jealousy, crass language. It's not an endorsement on my part, it's just who she is. And speaking of language, my family doesn't get why I would ever include swearing in a story. In person, I have a pretty clean mouth--I feel there's a time and a place to cuss, and people need to be aware of their language and not be ruder than necessary, etc.. But that doesn't mean that my middle-aged guy with a tough childhood who spent much of his life in and out of the prison system would feel the same way. And he won't sound natural saying, "Well, shucks," either. Even at the best of times, really. There's always, "He cursed loudly," and that kind of thing, and I do that when I feel I can... But at the same time, I dislike it, because it isn't as vivid or immediate as real dialogue. And sometimes a sentence contains important information and there's no graceful way to censor it. So out come the four-letter words, no regrets. I want to stay true to who my characters are and how they speak, and that's more important to me than, say, being able to comfortably show the novel to every single person at my church. Unfortunately, non-writers just think: "Why, you're the writer and clearly the writer is the boss! Just change the character into a squeaky-clean paragon of decency, and then you won't have this ugly behavior!" They don't seem to quite get that, one, there is this thing called a Mary-Sue, and two, when your subconscious spits a good character at you, you need to run with it with minimal conscious tampering, or any life it had goes poof. Good luck trying to explain these concepts, though. They'll just take you to mean, "I cuss like a sailor, I support thievery as a way of life, and I hear voices in my head to boot. =D"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Vespero. — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:52:23 -0500

The separation between Author and Work. You know, that the narrator/speaker isn't necessarily the voice of the Author. Also that not everything has meaning and that the themes portrayed in a work don't necessarily reflect the Author's mind.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:44:51 -0500

That pages really aren't how I measure my writing. I have a writer friend who doesn't even get this--he continually says "I've written x pages" and I'm like "Great. How many *words*?" I actually have the opposite problem most people on this thread seem to have--my mom somehow acquired the impression that all writers have characters spring into their heads fully-formed, talking to the writers from the second they're conceived of. She doesn't understand how I can write any other way. So if I am having the problem where my characters won't let me do something, that's fantastic; but if I'm having the problem where I'm just bored and I don't get my characters and whatnot, she doesn't get how I can be really writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:03:28 -0500

Mom and Dad got onto me about saying that characters write the story and that they can change things. Mom and Dad said that I needed to rid myself of that Romantic era notion. :(

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:55:05 -0500

As a bit of background, Dad's got Broncitis and is coughing like he's been working in a coal mine for 20 years (which he hasn't). While chain smoking the whole time (which would be against All Rules because coal dust 'splodes easily) with maybe the early onset of T.B., so Mom took him to the E.R. He needs to get it down so that he can sleep tonight and work tomorrow. (It's about 1:00 in the morning.) (That's not hyperbole. He has a big cough anyway when he coughs, and he's a door down from me, and it sounds like we're in a car together. Like that kind of loud.) And I'm writing. They are totally fine with that. XD I wouldn't tell some of my non-writer friends that because they wouldn't get it. It's a way to pass the time since I'm no longer sleepy (extended bouts of hearing coughing makes me feel like throwing up, so no sleeping) and what else is there to do when you're a minor and the library is closed? :P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:27:07 -0500

Apparently, somewhere around the time I started letting my characters take the reins, my mom forgot that writers tend to treat their characters like real people, or maybe she just never understood the full implications of that. I told her one of my characters pulled the amnesia card on me and she was like "How did you not know that? Why did you let him do that?" And I was just like "Mom. I'm just the writer, okay? I have no idea what's going on until they tell me. It's more fun that way." I explained this to our pastor, who's also a painter, and she got it perfectly.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Aiyandra — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:13:28 -0500

Most of my points were already mentioned, but I realised something in class a while back. My classmates seem to think that writing novels and poetry for a living is easy. I know they aren't interested in writing, but even so... assuming that I could just make a living by publishing novels is rather hilarious. When I told one of them how the publishing industry works, she seemed to be shocked. And then there's the talking to characters. Actually I don't even understand it myself, though... I just learned to accept it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Steampunk avi8or — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:23:46 -0500

I must wear my Snuggie when I write. I can't concentrate without my Snggie and if you insult my Snuggie... let's just say you should NOT insult my Snuggie.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:06:50 -0500

Literal convo earlier today: Me: 'You don't get writing. You have to write a first draft, edit, blahdeblahdeblahdeblah' Friend: 'Why do you need a first draft? Just start off with a final draft!'

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mikiki — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:11:51 -0500

People look at me weird when I say, "I killed someone on my laptop today." My classmates totally understand when I choose to write an essay instead of drawing a picture about the book we just read. My teacher wants the copies of my stories. All the time. The teacher's thought I was 'reaching out' when I wrote a somewhat depressing story in English class. I sighed and said, "I'm just good at writing that kind of stuff."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:26:08 -0500

"It's just a story why are you crying??" =/ NO it is NOT. When I have been lonely, depressed upset, my stories be they happy, mysterious, sad, angry always comforted me. We bond with these characters, we remain as objective as possible as writers but we live breathe and dream them! We are their friends and fight in battles and we hold them through sad and trying times She was not just a character =/ she was a beloved sister mother and friend to all those who knew her in her journey through the pages. And I will cry as much as i WANT DX<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Brioney — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:16:13 -0500

^ That was beautiful, what you wrote, XVisiEx! Scene: 2:30 in the morning; the house is dark and everyone's sleeping. Dad, from his room: Why is your light on??! Me, having just woken up: I had an idea! I need to write it down! Dad: What? Why can't you wait? Me, scribbling furiously: I just can't! I need to write this down right now! Non-writers might not get how our stories don't leave us alone once we turn off the light or go to work or school; we can't really turn off the part of our brain that is always thinking about our stories and our characters. It's always there. We can be the people who "aren't fully there," our eyes are distant- eccentric to other people but completely normal to us; we're off with our characters fighting wars and grieving and laughing and doing whatever our stories do. My dad gets so confused when I start writing random things down in the middle of the night--like, what are you DOING? What are you even writing? I just say ideas. He thinks I'm crazy ><

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:45:21 -0500

I have friends and family members who think that writing is this onerous process that requires months, if not years, of editing. I tend to write my first drafts like they're final drafts and edit as I see fit. Apparently, doing this doesn't make me a "good" writer or a "real" writer. This really bothers me, as I have no intention of being published. Rather, most of my writing is posted online in a mostly-private archive. I'm a first-draft poster, and if I'm left too long with a piece, I start to hate it and it goes into the pile of Works in Progress, where it is likely to never see the light of day. So I don't get so much discouraged by the "You Absolutely Must Edit" crowd, just annoyed, because that isn't my writing process.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

littlepieceofheaven — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:39:36 -0500

I hate the stereotype that all writers are brooding and aloof. EVERYONE gets brooding and aloof when they have something on their mind, and for a writer its usually the project they're working on. How is it okay for everyone else but not the writer? Grr...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lisa.Vail — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:01:49 -0500

That just because I CAN type at a stupidly fast speed, doesn't mean that I want to do it all day, every day! I've become a scripter for meetings because of it, and for every 5000 words I script, I wonder what could have happened in my story had I used those words in it!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Steampunk avi8or — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:24:27 -0500

I don't write about sunshine and fluffy bunnies prancing through meadows. I sent my novel to my English teacher so she could help me edit a little bit, and she said she really wanted to read it. That was a bad move, she now thinks I need HELP. @ littlepieceofheaven: YES. I get 'You're looking spacey,' or 'You seem kinda annoyed, and like you're not looking me in the eye,' all the time. I tell people I'm thinking about something else. Sometimes they say 'What's on your mind?'. Even if it wasn't about a flashback my character will have once I get hold of my computer again, I wouldn't tell them whatever I'm thinking just because they ask.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Espea — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:54:32 -0500

So Skyrim came out last November and it gave me a lot of ideas for the political intrigue and equality issues that I'm bad at coming up with on my own. Friend: "Well, isn't that plagiarizing?" >.< I don't know, I assumed that it counts as plagiarizing if I came out with a book about dragons returning to a land torn up by civil war and the impending end of the world, not if I came out with one about a newly formed empire having to fight off older countries that see her as easy prey due to the revolts of different races that don't like being suppressed and being ruled by a female. :p Though I might throw in dragons just because I love them in every shape and form. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:28:16 -0500

They don't understand that we are so very VERY VERY serious about our writing. *crosses arms and puts on pink fluffy bunny ears* :P No, but we that we can actually be serious about it every once in a while. I don't like people reading my writing when it isn't done if they don't give me a good reason to read it. And the same goes for the opposite end. We aren't always extremely serious just because we're writers. We're normal people, you know, we don't all have to be the exact same!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

edgewritermom — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:38:20 -0500

The one thing most non-writers of my acquaintance don't seem to "get" is why anyone would want to write at all! They say they don't have time for such a thing, for the same reason I would say I don't have time to train for a running marathon--I'm really not all that interested, certainly not interested enough to put the effort into it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

harrypoter4ever — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:19:11 -0500

Conversation I had with my friend: Him: Will you make me be a character? Me: No Him: Please? Me: No Him: Please? Me: Do you want your character to be brutally murdered? Him: I don't care. "Me:*groans and ignores him through the rest of sixth period* Why do they always want to be in my story? The only time they would get in my story is if I decided to give him the Redshirt Award. A lot of bad things will happen in my story. Cussing, destruction of famous landmarks, murder of important persons, and so forth. No, it's NOT ok for you to read my novel without my permission! I don't care if you think it's flawless. It's not. Even though I write mine like a final draft, it doesn't mean anything! I f you try to read my novel it will be minimized. Deal with it. I don't want you reading my novel.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

allwritemel — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:28:09 -0500

I get so frustrated when people assume that I'm free to do something when I'm writing (make the workers a cup of tea - something wrong with your hands and feet? Sorry, i'm super tired because I survive on 2 hours sleep a night after a major accident and simple surgery that has gone badly wrong so I get irritable!) I count my writing as my job but I'm sick of being told to give up. I'm no "JK Boating" (he always gets names wrong so I'll assume he means JK Rowling!) or Enid Blyton. But who were they before they succeeded. I'm constantly being told that even though I've had work published I should just go back to working in an office - they can't understand the passion I have for it. If my writing is so bad then why are we having a film made of 3 of my books? They also tell me I should avoid book fairs etc like the plague - yet when mum and nan (my two harshest critics) read the first book they said it was excellent and should be published ... I get furious when people read my novel without asking me. All of my family get embarrassed if I tell people I'm a writer ... but I have book one of a series in the shops and I was paid for it ... it's better than saying I don't do anything. Plus they can't understand why I'll listen to anyone, no matter what they have to say - I will even speak to the Big Issue sellers. Not EVERYONE is on drugs who is on the streets. One of the girls I see regularly has a hell of a tale to tell and she's fascinating to listen to. Don't get me wrong, I won't go up to total strangers, and I never talk to people just to get an idea but because I am GENUINELY interested in their story, but at parties or if I happen to meet someone when I'm out then I will talk to people - and I'll ask them questions if I am writing something on the subject. As soon as that happens my family gets stressed out and tries to get me away. Also, my parents do not understand why I need things like journals ... I have so many ideas that I need to write them down or I will forget them. THey say they won't buy me any more ... lucky I have a hidden stash then! :-) They can't fathom out why I watch children's films (like Fairytale A True Story - they refused to watch that and I couldn't tape it) or read books for teenagers (it's for research, as I'm sure you all understand). They think I'm going back to my childhood but I read every genre (even if I don't particularly like it) if I get an idea for it. I need to know what's out there. But you know what? You take away my writing and you take away my reason for living so I can't give up. I will prove all of them wrong. Sorry for the rant! :-( REMEMBER: IT's the things you DON'T do in life that you regret, not what you do, do!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:52:52 -0500

That just because I want to write doesn't mean I can. I would love to be writing right now. I need to be writing. But there is nothing, out of my dozens of half-started stories, that I want to write. Yes, this is totally possible.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

helltank — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:07:40 -0500

I think the thing that pissed me off the most was when I was ten and decided to write about cyborgs for my school composition. There was a big fuss(supposedly half the staff were against it and the other side vehemently defended it) but eventually they failed me. Badly. Nowadays I only write about boring stuff for my exams. Cyborgs > Robberies any day, dammit.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:06:27 -0500

These seem to be actually cropping up in my life now. The newest one is the assumption that because I'm a writer, I must always be able to come up with new story ideas on demand. No, I can't. I wish I could--it'd be even better if it only happened on demand--but I can't.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:16:50 -0500

I want to start by saying that generally, I am a very nice person. But there is one way, and one way only, to describe me when it comes to my story and characters. MAMA-BEAR. Once my story is published, and even beforehand, I will stop at nothing to protect my plot and characters. Unless I trust you 100%, you are NOT reading ONE WORD of my four years of blood, sweat and tears - and even those who have have signed a waiver saying they would not infringe on my copyright in any way. I take my author's rights extremely seriously and am prepared to make your life A LIVING HELL if you so much as THINK about stealing my babies. Obviously, people generally don't understand this. I had the following conversation with my best friend of 14 years when I first gave her some chapters of my book to read. Her *signing the waiver*: Would you actually prosecute *me* if I did anything? Me: Yep. I would. Her: But we're best friends. Me: I don't care. My books come first. People just don't understand that yes, I'm sorry, but my intellectual property is more important to me than a friendship. If you care so little about me that you are going to try and ruin one of the most important things in my life, I don't need you and I'm cutting contact with you. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm taking you to court over it. I don't care who you are. I also usually get irrationally pissed off (interiorly, I don't actually lash out at anyone because I know my friends mean well) when friends compare a character in something they're working on to my MC (this happens all the time, too - for some reason, people are usually very intrigued by him, which is why I don't even talk about him to many people outside my family and close friends anymore). I love my MC more than most people I know. He is mine. He's like my little baby. I don't even want to THINK about what I'd do if I ever found out someone used him without my permission. This goes for all my characters, but especially him. No. Just no. Additionally, I fiercely protect anything that contains large parts of my story. My netbook (the only place besides my USB and a paper copy that holds the entire thing) goes EVERYWHERE I go. Everyone's like, "You don't have to bring your bag." - Actually, yes I do. "Leave it here, it's too heavy." - HAVE YOU MET ME? "Do you want me to hold your bag?" - No offence, but no. I'm keeping the bag. Thanks bro. "Sorry, you can't bring a bag in here. You have to leave it at the door." - Cool, then I'm leaving. See ya. My netbook needs to be where I can see it at all times or I will legit have a panic attack. If I HAVE to leave it somewhere (ex. reserving a table at the cafe and I have nothing else with me), my eyes are on it and if you touch it, look at it, or go anywhere near it, prepare to be tackled. tl;dr: I'm an author, and I mean business, and non-writers seriously have no clue.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fraust — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:34:21 -0500

Worst for me: The assumption that, with no forethought, practice, plan, or knowhow, that someday...likely after they retire, they will write a book. Second worst for me: The assumption that if you aren't majoring in creative writing, you are in fact neither a writer, nor seriously trying to become one. The two are nearly tied in all honesty, it's just that the first is generally done by grown adults who are often educated and should bloody know better, while the second is generally done by some snot nosed peck who's fresh out of higschool and thinks Tolken is awesome, just so completely awesome... This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I drink.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Vespero. — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:21:11 -0500

I'm going to call that this counts: Playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends, my second character was a girl. Now, this being the internet, it may not be immediately apparent that I am male, but I am. When my friends gave me a look, I explained that I was playing the character for the CHARACTER. To me, characters tend to be physically very defined and I couldn't imagine the character as a boy. I told them that I was a writer, this was a character I was writing and that I shouldn't have to compromise a character simply because of sex. They accepted this answer very well.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CalicoRain — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:06:56 -0500

The people who really know me are the only ones that seem to understand that I really have no control over my characters. This is a difficult concept for everyone else to grasp. I write because I WANT to, not because I HAVE to. Am I going to make my living writing? Probably not. But I see no reason why I can't work towards being a children's therapist while being a poet and a fiction author. However, as my mom's pointed out on more than one occasion, I also write because I NEED to. It's who I am. I can't NOT write. I can write an 8- to 10-page research paper for college without batting an eye while a 50k word work of fiction makes me shake in my boots, because I'm striving for a different level of perfection. I've been informed that it should (probably) be the other way around...Writing an academic paper is easy and takes no imagination; you just regurgitate the facts onto the page. Writing fiction takes more skill and the ability to take the reader out of their world and into YOURS. And then there's "So you write? Can I read something you've done?" No, just because I write does not mean everything is perfect the first time. And, no, that certainly doesn't mean that I have numerous completed pieces available for reading. So there. :p

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:57:22 -0500

That writing well isn't so much about being perfect the first time but about editing the heck out of everything. Even when I write something that's only three pages long, I'll have planned it out and drafted it at least five times before I'm happy. So my writing really should look better than yours but only because I've spent so much extra time on it -- also, I practice ALL THE TIME, so I'm not really surprised that your once-off short story doesn't seem as good to you as mine does. I've done this before -- you haven't. That doesn't make me magic. Just like most things, it isn't the most talented people who get the farthest, it's the really, really stubborn ones. This comment isn't actually a complaint but it is something that people who don't write never seem to realize.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:08:53 -0500

That writing is fun for some people. These are the same people who act as though writing should take months if not years of editing (I write mostly short stuff--spending six months editing something that's say, a single-chapter work, is kind of a waste to me since I'm not published). These are the people who don't get that writing is fun, not a drudgery. It's something I want to do, not have to do. Related to this, why don't I write about Hard Hitting Issues? Why don't I write about Serious Topics? Because that's not what I want to write. That's not even what I want to [i]read[/i]. I write fanfic and dumb romances because that's the stuff I like, and the people who ask "why don't you write something serious?" know where to shove it. I know I'm repeating a point I made before, but just because someone likes doing something, it doesn't mean that they want to do it for money. Quite the opposite actually.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:23:54 -0500

This Andy Griffith sums a lot of stuff up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVCCWUb1eys&feature=related

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:10:11 -0500

That you can't be serious about writing just because you're serious about writing. Every time I tell people I'm working on a story or I have a writing book out or anything, they ask what class it's for. Granted, I'm in college at a school where most people seem not to have lives outside of class, but in what reality does "I'm writing a story" mean "I have an assignment"? Writing should be fun or you shouldn't do it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Garneth_Riparian — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:19:01 -0500

I've had people get mad at me because I sat down to write a 2-page paper and hour before it was due, and four pages just kind of streamed out... I don't know why, it's not like I intend to insult anyone, it just happens. Mostly what bugs me is that people don't understand that I write for fun. Some people make jewelry for fun, some play golf, some write webcomics, some collect cat figurines. When I say I don't intend to publish, or even let a single soul read a single word, don't be offended. It's my private space. If I want to share, I'll let you know. Also, I don't get why people get almost offended when you say you don't intend to publish. Every artist who has ever doodled on their homework is not required to display their doodles in a gallery.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Webgoji — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:04:07 -0500

Here's a couple of things that "grind my gears": Rant Person X wants to talk about their home projects or car repairs or personal projects, but why shut down when I want to talk about what I'm writing? Why do I have to write in a vacuum? Finally, why do I have to hide my writing? Just because I'm not paying attention to person X at that moment doesn't mean I hate them. But if I sit down to write, I get flooded instead of left alone (coincidentally, I was meditating once and my wife yelled from the other room, "ARE YOU MEDITATING!? I NEED YOU TO LOOK AT SOMETHING!" . . . "Not anymore . . .") So instead I have to hide somewhere like a perv downloading illegal porn in fear that I'll get caught and pulled away from my manuscript. /Rant

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Natnie — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:30:14 -0500

This is less about being a writer and more about being a wrimo, but.... I just started a course in filmmaking, and my screen writing class had to write for about half an hour or something based on a prompt. I wrote four times as much as the average, and everyone was impressed. But I know that you can't just assume my writing is good just because I can write fast...... ;)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Caroline11278 — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:22:23 -0500

So, in my homeschool class, we're allowed to read journal entries for extra credit. I read one about March NaNo. Then, this one boy (who, by the way, complains about every writing assignment) said how easy it would be, and how he could do it in a week. Ugh! By the way, while I'm doing March NaNo and the April Fool's challenge, this may become my personal venting thread.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

thomlina — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:32:38 -0400

Observe a conversation between me a good friend of mine: ''I think I need to kill the dragon.'' ''What happened this time?'' ''She...she just isn't working out for me and her death would be a great twist to the story but-'' ''But what?'' ''I don't want to kill her! She's such a nice dragon and she doesn't want to die either...'' ... Yes this happens a lot and for some unknown reason my friends don't understand that my characters run the show here and I'm just writing it down...Its very annoying when they can't give me the advice that I need...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Telsanasee — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:36:03 -0400

Ugh! I just got a laptop and so I've been writing a lot more because I can't stand people in the room. I feel so paranoid because I feel like I'm being watched. Anyway, I hide myself in the bedroom away from the world and just type and listen to music. My mom tells me I should just get off and isn't it a coincidence I'm at the action scene? My sister and brother are both trying to be writers but aren't as serious about it as me. They get upset at me and say I need to stay in this world with. I don't get it because it appears that their idea of family time consists of watching stuff off of netflix. My dad, who actually encourages me most read his first book! and guess whose it was.... mine, I gave it to him so he good edit it. We were talking about stephen king and the movies based on his books like the shining and bag of bones, my dad told me writers are crazy lol

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Vespero. — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:51:49 -0400

Always, always, always the same question! Whenever I finally tell someone "I write" (which I avoid doing at most costs), they inevitably respond "What kind of stories do you write," which is an absolutely horrid question. It's like asking someone what kind of movies they like. Of the top of my head, I can name at least five different genres I enjoy stories in; it's the same with writing for me. I'd say Fantasy is my primary, but I also really like this one story I've been working on that takes place in a Sci-Fi setting, but the Sci-Fi is just a backdrop for the relationship between two characters. See? I could go on and on about the intricacies of my authorial habits.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

winx788 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:52:28 -0400

I carry a bag of notebooks every where I go. I currently have 13 notebooks in total, and I carry my most essential ones (my ideas notebook, a notebook for jotting down my story, a freewrite notebook) in my bag with all the time, ALL THE TIME. You have no idea. With my friends it always seems to be like this: What I say: Don't touch my notebooks. What I mean: Do *not* touch my goddamn notebooks. What they hear: Do whatever the hell you like. What I say: I mean it. What I mean: I goddamn mean it. I will kill you. Do not dare. What they hear: Hee hee. Only playing. What I say: It's not funny. What I mean: Shut the hell up and give me my goddamn notebook back before I pound your face. What they hear: Ha ha. Isn't this hilarious? If you touch my notebooks, I will hurt you. Probably not if you were a person of authority or a total stranger, but, other then that, I will GODDAMN HURT YOU. My friend was walking by my desk when he picked up one of my books. I lunged at him. He is so lucky my desk was is the way. I'm usually very timid and weak, but touch my notebooks and you die. --- My mom. *sigh* I love her to death, but she doesn't understand writing at all. She's always asking me how much I've written, and I have to explain to her that when I said I was working on my story, I wasn't writing it. I was figuring out the plot and getting to know the characters. But even when I do, I still don't think she gets it. She always asks me if I'm going to publish. Mom, I'm in middle school. I haven't even finished a novel yet. That is my goal for now. I worry about publishing. Not to mention all the times she asks about my NaNo novel. Here's how they usually go: Mom: Oh, what about that story you were writing in November? Me: Oh that? I gave up on it. It was just something fun to do in November. Nothing more. Mom: You should print it and publish it! Me: I can't, mom. It's a first draft. It's horrible. Mom: Oh, no, I'm sure it's fine. Me: -_- *sigh* She just doesn't get it. I love that she's supportive of me, but I do wish she'd understand.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

thrilleraddict — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:56:01 -0400

I don't think my sister understands why I am always babbling about characters, NaNo, etc. I have told her before that ( something like this ) " I am going to have a conversation with a character/ with characters. " I need to keep my mouth shut. I talk about when we're going to Panama City, FL in June ( dance competition ), and how I will spend some of my writing time on the beach. ( Working on my CampNaNo novel, of course. ) Of course, I think this irritates her immensely.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kunaineck — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:47:35 -0400

That YES I need that fountain pen for my writing! It's a FOUNTAIN PEN! One of THE BEST writing utensils you can buy! I NEEEEEEED it! It feels sooooo good on paper! And yes, feel is important if you are writing longhand darnit!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:41:48 -0400

That just because you like to write, does not mean that you like to write FOR SCHOOL. My mom can't seem to understand why I'm always procrastinating on my homework to work on stories that have nothing to do with my education (besides my creative writing class, that is).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Buffy871 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:58:16 -0400

I have a lovely office, but sometimes I want to get out of the house and write. I usually do this at about 3 to 4 am. The only place available is the Waffle House, where I work. Even with headphones and typing madly, my regular customers will stop me and want to talk. They're great people, but I would think the headphones alone would show that I want privacy. I finally quit trying and work on my porch now. Also, I have friends who think I'm alone too much. I love being alone. Being alone is a luxury.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Steampunk avi8or — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 11:16:30 -0400

My dad thinks that just because I'm on the computer he can interrupt me and make me look up something. It happened today and I was at such a good part. You'd think my furious typing and pounding on the keys that I do when I'm in the writing 'zone' would have told him I'm busy, but apparently not.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

do2life — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:29:56 -0400

That I'm not insane for thinking a 1.5k research paper due in three months is "easy as pie". I also really agree with the person who mentioned your writing being an abject representation. Being an avid fanfic writer, this happens to me pretty often whenever someone IRL finds out I write for several slash pairings. "Can I read your stuff?" "Umm... you probably won't like it. A lot of it's LGBT." "Oh, I didn't realize you were gay." "*headdesk*" Also, that I can't be a writer unless I'm trying to get published and do it professionally. Which, yes, would be awesome. But that is so not why I do it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Angelynx — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:40:56 -0500

I guess I'm one of your #1 people. It really surprises me how many posts I've seen here were badly spelled and punctuated. Of course, I imagine everyone spellchecks their actual novels, but...ehhh, I'm just old-fashioned. It seems disrespectful to the language to me, to use it carelessly in a public forum. (And people who post in text-speak/slang...don't let me start on that.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

aprilsheffler — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:38:06 -0500

Words are beautiful. They are made to be used, not abused. The pen will ALWAYS be mightier than the sword.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Syri_Rey4711 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:13:02 -0500

This. My mom gets worried when I spend so much time developing my characters. She thinks I obsess over them, and that it isn't healthy. *facepalm* She thinks that they're me, even though I've told her countless times that they *aren't* and only have small parts of my personality--and those are all unintentional, dangit! Also, I don't think that people realize that just because a lot of my work is dark and twisty...doesn't mean I am. It's not *my* fault my MC is kind of an apathetic pile of slop that basically just sits in the Emo Corner for the first 200 pages or so. I've been trying to talk her out of it, make her less cliche and annoying, but she just won't listen... *cries*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookmonster — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:43:29 -0500

I'm actually terrified of showing anyone else my work because of this. One of my main characters is a manipulative b**** but that's her, not me. Another one of my characters is a compulsive liar, but I'm really quite honest. And another one is suicidal while I'm quite cheerful most of the time. My younger brother used to write some pretty dark poetry (I don't think he still does) and one of his teachers found it and there was a whole big mess with our parents and I think the school councilor to find out if he was suicidal and depressed. He wasn't.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

the.black.prince — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:46:43 -0400

This happens to me too. Usually with a time limit: "by tonight" or "by tomorrow evening".

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

sarinn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:22:47 -0500

If we were entertainment for hire, people wouldn't be shocked when we say "Sure, I can write that for you, but it will cost you."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookwyrm4life — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:05:03 -0500

I have actually found a perfectly acceptable cure for the 'could-you-write-this?" syndrome. My sister asked me to write her wedding sermon, and I did. I did something very similar to a cartoon my daughter had been watching nearly non-stop for the last month. The type that pretty much is a honey-do list. They have told everyone they knew about it, up to and including posting a short video of the vows and such on the web. Have fun with a project, use a little sarcasm, and no one will ever ask you again.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

blu_sour_skittle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:48:10 -0500

I hate that. I've been writing a lot at work, during down time, to help reach my word counts (still failing, though xD). And I get a lot of people that come over and be nosy, all leaning over my shoulder like, "heeeeey, what cha doing?" followed by "what are you writing?" followed by "can I read it?" as they tried to read it over my shoulder. B**ch, please. You don't know me like that, back the fck up. I mean, hello, personal bubble, anyone? Because of this, I've resorted to using a coded alphabet from when I was younger and back in school. They all think I'm crazy(er than they thought before), but at least they're not trying to read it over my shoulder anymore. People don't seem to realize that asking to see our unfinished, unedited, fresh from our veins, straight from the womb writing is like asking to see us naked, in public. In fact, I think I would more likely do the latter. Dancing. Possibly on TV. The other pet peeve I have about non-writers is the "why do you write so much/all the time?" thing. I get that a lot at work. Just because I have a job, doesn't mean I'm not an aspiring writer. You don't have to be homeless and starving to be an artist. I mean, you don't ask a painter why he paints so much.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Angelynx — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:58:43 -0500

I'm horrified to hear that people are rude enough to ask this sort of thing. Sheesh, if you were a bus driver, would they say "hey, will you drive me around town for free tomorrow?'

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Hezzi — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:17:40 -0500

This. My sister found a stack of my poems, and then asked me to write a song for her band. I don't write for other people, I don't write requests. Its MY personal thing and people need to stop being so damn nosy. (Spesh as my poems are a way for me to deal with crap - funny how they all want to read my poems and rave about them, yet when I want to TALK, oh no, not interested -) Ugh! Also, TELLING COMPLETE STRANGERS ABOUT MY WORK! Err no. My story i share little bits here and there with people I chose to share with. Not someone YOU work with. Ass. Anyway. Sorry Rant over,

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lady Riss — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:07:05 -0500

As much I hate to say this, my sister doesn't understand one thing about writing. She gets poor grades in English and her stories are the absolute basics. She's a great artist, but when it comes to words she sort of fails...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jacquipuff — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:06:09 -0500

[quote=violetgateway] As for the writing something for someone, I'm okay with that most of the time if it's for a friend, but one person has crossed the line. She asked me to write a story about her and her crush together. I can't do that, no way in hell. It was quite creepy of her to ask that of me to be honest. [/quote] Oh my God, that kind of reminds me of someone I knew in highschool. She didn't go to the same school as me, but I'd sometimes invite her to events like school plays and such. She liked to pair up the people at my school, like how one might pair up their favorite characters in a fanfic. She didn't seem to understand how it was kind of disturbing for me to watch her make up her mini-fanfics about my classmates. I can't imagine how I would have felt if she'd actually asked me to write it out for her.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kiki.Mirage — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:18:33 -0400

Totally understand the faces thing, I do the same when I'm drawing, haha.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Esibby — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:43:55 -0500

I talk to myself all the time, writing or not, lol. I'm used to the "crazy faces" people give me, though I still notice them, it mostly just makes me laugh now.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookwyrm4life — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:11:15 -0500

I have done that. I will have dialogues with my characters, ones that I don't write down. Generally I am attempting to argue the character into doing what I want it to, and far too frequently I am losing the argument. My sister actually keeps a pillow she throws at me when I am doing NaNoWriMo while out with her. (At home she doesn't bother finding a pillow, she just hits me on the back of the head.) As for the "crazy" look, it doesn't bother me. I already know I am crazy and revel in the fact. Who'd want to be sane? They don't attempt NaNoWriMo!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

blu_sour_skittle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:51:41 -0500

XDD hahaha! I do that. I tend to make the faces that I am trying to describe, or the faces that I believe the character would be making when they say something. Often times, I have to make the face, draw the face (which requires a loot of making the face) and then describe the face.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:39:59 -0500

I have done this pretty much my whole life. I tend to confine it to the living room when no one else is there and there's music on, though, to avoid the strange looks and mockery (my mom thinks it's hilarious).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AngesRadieux — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:18:20 -0500

So. Much. Truth! It's not so much with writing anymore, but I'm a musician and my parents acted really surprised that I'm getting paid to sing a wedding. And they're the same way! They think that music and the other arts should be hobbies, not something you study at school and try to incorporate into making a living. I also hate the sing something for me RIGHT NOW. You wouldn't ask an architect to draft a building RIGHT NOW, so you can't expect a musician/artist/writer/etc. to perform/draw/write/etc. something on a moment's notice. And, as far as writing goes, my parent's never seemed to grasp the concept that it's NOT OKAY to read my work without permission. When I was younger, my mom found poems and stuff I'd scribbled down in my homework planner and read them. I got really made at her, and she insisted it was fair game because it was in a book labeled "homework". Well, if she'd had HALF A BRAIN it would have become very clear after the first line that it WASN'T homework, so she should have put it down. Several years later, she found a folder I kept a few songs I'd written in and instead of having the decency to just give it back to me she read them and started SHOWING THEM TO OTHER PEOPLE. At one point she made me so paranoid that I learned the runic alphabet and anything I wrote by hand was written in runes so that people could sit and stare at the page all they want and never be able to read it. It's not as much of an issue anymore now that I'm in college, but I'm still pretty careful not to leave anything where they might find it and I literally have a fight or flight reaction whenever my parents come over when I'm on the computer and I close the window immediately. Doubly so if I'm writing something. My dad gets a good laugh of watching the sheer panic when he comes charging over to my computer in an attempt to get there before I have a chance to minimize everything. -.-

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

DaleyNotGeorge — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:29:25 -0500

[quote=TheGildedFox] Also, as a full time musician/artist/writer, I find it alarming how people expect me to do my job for NO MONEY on a regular basis. "Hey, can you play at my sister's wedding?" "Hey, can you design a logo for our club" blah blah blah. You probably wouldn't ask an accountant to do your taxes for you for free...especially if you knew they were hurting for cash, so why its okay to ask an artist to work for free...I don't know. [/quote]This extends to my seething hatred for creative internships that amount to slavery. No, you should not be able to take advantage of an eighteen year old kid to make him prove he's 'hungry enough,' you vultures.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

sarinn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:28:18 -0500

I get this all the time, though not for my writing/art, but for fixing computers. It got bad enough that whenever I walked into a place and said "hi" to everyone, I'd find myself bombarded with requests before I even got my shoes off. I found a solution to curb my annoyance on this: Person: "Can you fix my computer?" Me: "Sure. I charge $40/hour." Person: "What?!" Me: "My job pays me $20/hour to fix stuff. Sundays I get $30. Today is my day off, so I charge extra." Person: "I'm not paying you." Me: "Good. Take it into a shop."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Bewitched.Rhapsody — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:19:42 -0500

THIS. People don't get how much something is really worth for any art form. It's funny how whenever you go into art, you can't really earn a lot of money unless you REALLY make it. Big. Seriously. Artists, composers, and writers should all be given a bit more appreciation.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Amelia217 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:32:43 -0500

[quote=TheGildedFox] A lot of my friends tend to think that being a writer and being a narcissist are one in the same. If you believe you've got something worth saying, then obviously you must think too highly of yourself, in their eyes. I'm not quite sure how to make it clear to them that I really DON'T think that people will have any interest in what I have to say, but if I don't get this stuff out of my head and on to paper, then I will go crazy. On the off chance that something I write DOES mean something to someone, then that's a wonderful added bonus. [/quote] I have definitely come across this. The "Oh, you think you're good enough to write a novel? Well, what's your 'so great' idea?" I immediately shut down in my responses at that point. With that kind of attitude, no story I run by them will sound good, so they get squat. And I 100% agree that the #1 reason to write is to get the story inside OUT. If someone ends up liking it, all the better, but if not, at least you have your story.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ig_nobleigh — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:22 -0500

I can only assume these people who think writing is narcissistic because you think people will be interested in what you have to say don't speak the majority of the time because it would be narcissistic for them to think someone might be interested. It must be pretty boring hanging out with them =)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Papergirl23 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:05:58 -0400

While it's sad that you lost a friend. I think you may want to ask yourself how good of a friend was she if you didn't give her a chance to explain. Please don't take offense to this. I read something recently that made me look at this differently. If you care about the other person, than within any relationship, they have the right to say "No" to anything. Yes it can hurt, if we make it about us. However, please remember it as about you giving a friend the space she needed and realize it wasn't about you. Consider changing the memory to "When a friend had the boldness to tell me what she needed and I gave it to her" You seem like you have moved on and gained understanding. kudos for you, for this would have been hard for me too. I had a similar experience and it took years to get "me" out of the situation and forgive them. After that I can think of them and have good memories. I wish you the same. Thanks for sharing your life. :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

miss_hellfire — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:47:52 -0400

ARGH, yes!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Silhouette. — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:12:23 -0400

Absolutely! And similarly, that it's okay if you say you don't like it. I would far prefer hearing, "It's not really my thing," or, "wow, look at the size of that plot hole!" to something generic and fake like "oh, nice," or "sounds good."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms_erupt — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:56:46 -0400

THIS. This right here. I remember that I sent my entire 50k+ NaNo to a friend back in 2009 (it was my '08) story after she'd asked several times, and she didn't give me ANY feedback. I was so angry, and I haven't asked her about it since then and have shut down any requests to see anything I write.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Railenthe — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:30:51 -0500

[quote=TheSecondKnight] ... that when the writer has finally shoved all of her insecurities under the bed and you are allowed to read a segment of her writing, your are NOT allowed to give "sounds good" as the only feedback. >_< ... [/quote] VIOLENT this. This goes for writing. This goes for cooking. Both of these are passions of mine, and this is the only feedback I ever get. WHY PEOPLE WHY.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

amateras — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:47:13 -0500

OR NO RESPONSE AT ALL

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rosiedoodle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:04:44 -0500

I started refusing to let people read my stuff because I have a massive issue with people if they say 'sounds good' or something totally useless to me like that. It's caused a lot of arguments in the past. xD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

shivershiro — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:49:08 -0500

I totally agree. When I read other people's work, as in my friends, I always try to be as thorough as possible when giving feedback. But when they read mine - nope, nothing more than a 'it's cool'. I hate it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:52:47 -0500

Wholeheartedly seconded. I am totally cool with it if there's something you don't like about my novel. I get pissed if you pretend to just like everything, because then I think it's a cop-out and you didn't even read it. Ex: I gave a friend the prologue and chapter 1 of my book (because that's all I'd written at the time. She said the prologue was good, but chapter 1 was kind of boring and could use more detail. That's useful. Now I know to add detail and generally add action to chapter 1. "it's good" is useless.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

That One Deaf Girl — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:10:09 -0400

This. Totally.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rainstorm. — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:54:20 -0400

This, definitely. Especially when the characters boss you around—this one time, my friend said the phrase "epically amazing" and her character overheard it, then refused to do anything until she was allowed to say "epically amazing" in the novel.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Railenthe — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:32:59 -0500

Also this!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rosiedoodle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:05:52 -0500

We're writers, this is a perfectly normal thing. Just because society has this negative idea about seeing people other people can't see doesn't make me a total loony.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Angelynx — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:43:53 -0500

[quote=Tatsuya] That it is possible to hear voices and still be sane. [/quote] This, 100% and underlined.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Strawberrymilk — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:39:15 -0500

I agree with this, so much

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mystic Dodo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:43:06 -0500

This! Definitely this.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookmonster — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:45:52 -0500

This. If anything, it helps.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 10:04:57 -0400

I hate it when people do that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MAYALOVE. — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:16:11 -0400

EXACTLY. I've had huge issues with showing people my writing since I started. I won't even let my own best friend or my parents read it. If I let you read my work, it means I trust you to give me a better analysis than "it's nice" or "great job" :P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:18:29 -0400

Oh God, this! This so much!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

KatnissGinnyMaxTally — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:43:07 -0400

This totally happens to me! I go on talking aout how I'm only "looking in on" my characters, and I really have no say in what the characters do. They either look at me funny, or look at me confused.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Esibby — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:54:54 -0500

Yeah, I've gotten strange looks anytime I talk about my characters doing something I didn't intend or want them too. I get a lot of "Just rewrite it than" and they don't quite understand it doesn't always (if ever) work like that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

skarlatha — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:34:52 -0500

Oh god, yes. This. And I hate the "Well, just rewrite it and don't make them do that" thing that Esibby mentioned. Because when you're that connected to your characters and one of them decides to do something you don't like, that's just too bad. It's the only thing that character would have done. And if you try to go back and rewrite it, you can, but then everything that happens after that feels wrong and forced. And nobody gets that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Angelynx — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:44:50 -0500

Oh gosh yeah! You just can't explain "He hasn't told me yet."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JaneAustenSociety — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:44:53 -0500

Yeah! People don't understand that the characters sometimes just run off without you.. if that makes sense.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:55:44 -0500

Agreed! Even my brother (a fellow NaNoWriMo-er) doesn't get this!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mystic Dodo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:44:44 -0500

I relate to this so much! I convinced my housemate to do NaNo but when I say how I didn't plan for some of the things to happen, they just did because the characters wanted it that way, she looked as me as though I had sprouted an arm in the middle of my forehead.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:12:12 -0500

This! Nearly the entire way through my 2010 novel I had no idea who was the traitor. I found out right at the end, and when my mum read it, she said it was a good twist, and when I responded with "You're telling me - I didn't know it was them at all!" she just gave me with really weird look and went "But you WROTE it. How could you not know who the traitor was?" Because he was hiding well, that's why! Though, when I read the book back, there were little hints of it throughout the novel that made sense, even though I hadn't been thinking about it at all at the time.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lowehart — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:16:16 -0400

[quote=do2life] That I'm not insane for thinking a 1.5k research paper due in three months is "easy as pie". I also really agree with the person who mentioned your writing being an abject representation. Being an avid fanfic writer, this happens to me pretty often whenever someone IRL finds out I write for several slash pairings. "Can I read your stuff?" "Umm... you probably won't like it. A lot of it's LGBT." "Oh, I didn't realize you were gay." "*headdesk*" Also, that I can't be a writer unless I'm trying to get published and do it professionally. Which, yes, would be awesome. But that is so not why I do it. [/quote] I was tempted to write an LGBT story for nano this year. I was put off of the idea months ago and so this year i'm writing pure waffle once again. Maybe next year...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

zanitas — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:07:14 -0400

Haha I know how you feel about writing for LGBT. People don't seem to understand that you can be a supporter without being gay yourself.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms_erupt — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:48:26 -0400

I laughed about the research paper. You don't even need to be a writer to think that's easy as pie. You just have to get through your first couple of years of college. Haha. ;)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:12:44 -0500

The irony is, I write fanfic, write a decent (for me) amount of femmeslash...and I'm actually bisexual. Though...the assumption that I want to be published is annoying. I feel as if writing would kinda suck if I had to do it for money.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

chinalizard — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:54:19 -0500

I'll be honest; in college, I could go on for page after page with fiction-writing, but doing a research paper (12 pages, double-spaced, 12-sized Times New Roman) was just about the worst torture I could imagine! Storywriting I'm down with. Research papers? Forget it!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

witchykristy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:05:32 -0500

Yeah, I write on fanfiction.net under the name mrstrancy -- everyone loves my work but some people can't get over it >______________________________________________________________________________________<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dripping_Melody — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:48:12 -0500

1.5K? That's easy as long as I don't run out of things to say. But yeah sounds pretty easy I usually am good at writing lengthy things even when I'm not told to. Ever since I started NaNoWriMo, 1.5K sounds pretty good, but I'm sure before I would have thought it was a doozy too. At least sorta.But like I said since I've been doing nanowrimo its not too bad. Before nanowrimo I had been working on a story for a long time and only made around 7K. But now I'm at 7K in my nano story and it's only the beginning. Lolz

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tooterfish — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:52:52 -0500

Ironically, I despise research papers. :P I think it's because fiction-writer-brain can't operate at the same time as paper-writer-brain, and switching between the two is not a quick process. It's always apparent when I try to follow up a research paper with some fiction, because the fiction will be very stiff and formal. Paper-writer-brain does a good job, though, so I keep it around.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

RavenstarRHJF — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:47:52 -0400

[quote=TheDreamAuthor] That when I tell you an idea I had or some whim I had about a plot direction, I don't need you to pick out every single solitary detail that doesn't work and why. I only thought of it two seconds before. Clearly it's far from perfect. I'm saying it out loud to you so I can think about it and reason it out. I know I need constructive criticism, but questioning me incessantly about the tiny little details when all I had was a broad, general idea with little focus is not helping me. At all. It just makes me annoyed that I don't know the answers and when I tell you "I don't know yet" you say "You have to think about this! I'm just telling you because it doesn't make sense! You need to do this, you need to do that!" Huh, I thought I was the one writing this novel, not you. Let me figure it out on my own time! [/quote] This. This is why I very rarely succumb to the temptation to tell my husband about the super-awesome-wonderful idea I just had, even though I really want to share it with someone. He likes to nitpick and, while it's nice that he's interested and wants to know more, there are times when it's appropriate to keep your remarks to "Wow, that's sounds awesome, I can't wait to see how you develop that!"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Shade_of_Lia — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:07:28 -0400

[quote=TheDreamAuthor] My characters lead the story. Seriously, 3 pages into November this year and already Ian was going the wrong direction, Erika hit someone in a car, and Jason turned into a blubbering fool-- plus he didn't even have the earring with him, let alone give it to Erika, and so didn't comply with the one and only reason he even got to be in that scene. [/quote] I'm facing the same issue. Corbin decided that he wanted to overtake my novel. Eileen was supposed to be the one dictating the story, but she's sitting back and letting Corbin have all of the cool powers I never ave him. She also freaked out over a murder when she was supposed to be the calm one and learn about everything Corbin's teaching her so she could teach it to him. But no, Corbin decided that he wants to rule my novel.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Doal — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:42:23 -0500

[quote=PlasticSmoothie] I hate, hate hate hate, HATE when people seem to think that everything I write is something I want to do or is a representation of myself in some way. [/quote] THIS. Oh, so much this. I've had times where I've made the grevious mistake of explaining my characters to people. The normal is response is, "Oh, she's you right?" The answer is no. They have parts of me yes, that's inevitable. Is each female character a direct representation of myself? Absolutely not. I don't want to write about myself. I'm writing about this specific character, not me. D:<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:47:37 -0500

'There's also something about everyone who's not into writing immediately assuming that because you enjoy writing, your goal is automatically to become a new Stephen King or J.K Rowling.' This! Recently we've had builders in and while they were working I was writing on my netbook. One of them asked if I was doing homework and when I said I was writing a novel he went "Ah, so you want to be the next JK Rowling, eh? Make loads of money and all that." No. I would not necessarily like to make loads of money with my novel, I would just like to write my novel. XD I just sort of smiled and went back to writing, but then later another of the builders asked what my story was about. When I said sci-fi he laughed, went "Sci-fi?" and then laughed again. I still don't know why he was laughing. Maybe he didn't expect a girl to be writing sci-fi, or he thought it was too geeky? I have no idea. I just sort of gave him a >_> look and went back to writing. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WritingGeek97 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:23:30 -0500

[quote=PlasticSmoothie] I hate, hate hate hate, HATE when people seem to think that everything I write is something I want to do or is a representation of myself in some way. Whenever we read a particularly gory short story in a class in school, all my friends go around: 'Wtf, the author must have some serious issues'. They never seem to understand that just because you write a story about something disgusting or creepy it's not because you would like to do what your characters do in said story. [/quote] I know! I was talking about how two MCs died, and I was going, "Yeah, so then I killed Josiah because he was in the way of keeping Lily from dieing before reaching the story goal, which leaves the way cleared for Sky to go on and do what she needs to do" and a little old lady over heard me. (This was after church.) She went and talked to Dad (who is the pastor) about it, and he said, "Oh, that's ok. It was in a novel she was writing." The lady said, "Oh. Can I read it?" "You can buy it from her off of Amazon, but she says it really isn't good and so I wouldn't, if I were you." Poor old lady. :P [quote=RainbowConnection] That no, it's not okay to just go into my writing folder and read whatever you please without asking me first. Or that they can't sit behind me and watch me write. It drives me insane. [/quote] That fexes me greatly. (Fexes so is a word, darn spell checker!) [quote=JettaBaby] That I'm not crazy for setting my alarm to 5 am so I can get up early and write. [/quote] I get up at 4:30 some days so that I can write. ---- 1. No, I don't plan on majoring in English. Or minoring. Or going to college all in one fell swoop at all. (I'm going to take 1 to 3 classes a semester/year until I finish the major and minor, most likely. Maybe more if I'm feeling adventurous.) 2. No, writers do not have to have an English degree of any kind. I'm going to get one in classics and philosophy and history because those are the things that will help me the most. With a minor of voice because I love singing and music. 3. Yes, I can easily write 4 page papers the day before the first draft is due. 4. You need to pad your criticism with good things otherwise you won't be allowed to read anything I write again, but don't just use good things, otherwise you won't be allowed to read anything I write again. (Mom.) 5. If you don't know how to critique, just go ask Dad. He's good at it and will give you a good lesson about it. 6. I won't write things for you unless you pay me and ask me at least a week in advance. Nyah. *pokes tongue out* 7. Philosophy sounds really boring, but it does help with making characters. Sorry.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

MerryHall — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:25:25 -0400

It's funny. I hadn't thought about his for years until coming to this forum topic. Yes, I'm fine with it now but it did hurt for a long time.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

shivershiro — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:51:05 -0500

That's the question I always get for NaNo - "What do you get out of it? Are there any prizes?" That's. NOT. THE POINT. I'm taking part in NaNo because I want to write - nothing more, nothing less.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jacob Hopkins — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:21:24 -0500

My answer to this: Yeah, there's a prize. A book that nobody else has ever read! Of course, that's generally met with bewilderment.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kctejada — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:06:20 -0500

THIS. Every time I tell someone I'm doing NaNoWriMo, I get this question. Each and every time. The point is, I have a hard time writing today without a reason (I'm still looking for a job in a career that involves a lot of writing, though it's the boring, formulaic "insert your facts into a pre-written format" type of writing), and NaNo is that reason. I don't care if I get a prize-I care that I have an excuse to write.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:49:58 -0500

I tried compiling a list of comebacks on my blog for that question. I'll just copy and paste it here: -The certificate if you win. Sure, this isn’t a massive thing, but it still gives one a sense of achievement. -A massive writing community -New friends -A completed manuscript, or a massive head start on one -Accountability. So many writers (myself included) tend to procrastinate if they’re not held to their goals. NaNoWriMo imposes a deadline and, with the aid of the community, gives you a kick in the pants to finish what you started. -Increased literacy, which is particularly potent for students -Greater appreciation for writers, novels and the written word in general -Possible publication. NaNoWriMo has its success stories, such as Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, which started off as a NaNovel and now has a movie based on it. Although non-writers probably won't really care about most of these, perhaps some shall be converted :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:00:52 -0500

When I told my grandparents I was doing NaNoWriMo, they suggested I should do it like a charity walk--have people sponsor me and donate so much money per word to some charity. I got irritated. Look, it's not *supposed* to be charitable. If you want to donate to the OLL so that it keeps going, that'd be great, but the reason I'm doing this is because I want to be a *writer.* I've wanted to be some kind of storyteller pretty much always since I was old enough to have a dream. Usually it's been writer. So would you kindly stop badgering me about making my life's dream more *charitable*?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

jessie6321 — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:12:26 -0400

Yes! this happens to me all the time. I often stop and think for a while, and to think better I pick up something (like a sewing project) that I can do by instinct. anyone who knows me doesn't bother me but everyone else starts talking to me and breaks my concentration and then I have to find a shovel and the feeding bowl for my plot bunnies.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

eekageek — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:41:04 -0500

[quote=Wolf Tears] That said, it is even less okay to distract me when my fingers are flying over the keyboard and I'm focused intently on the screen. If saying my name once or twice doesn't get me, come back in ten minutes and try again. Working up a good run is often hard, and I will not appreciate it if you interrupt one. At all. In fact, I may try to tear your head off and feed it to my plot bunnies. [/quote] Yes! This is my first year NaNo-ing, and I've never written long pieces before (I'm mainly a poetry-writer), and the first day, when I was very deeply into my writing and had this wonderful steam going, my boyfriend tried to get my attention. I nearly tore his head off! He has learned...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:36:31 -0500

Yes, I want some plot bunnies. And I hate it when someone knocks at the door, or the phone rings.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

OSM — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:42:19 -0500

[quote=Wolf Tears] When I go deathly still and stare out the window for fifteen minutes, fingers poised over the keyboard, I am working. Sometimes writing is furious typing and scribbled notes, but not always. Sometimes I need to think things through, or perhaps get myself into a specific emotional state so that I can write a difficult scene. I may not look like I'm doing anything to you, but in no way does that make it okay for you to break what might be a vital train of thought. That said, it is even less okay to distract me when my fingers are flying over the keyboard and I'm focused intently on the screen. If saying my name once or twice doesn't get me, come back in ten minutes and try again. Working up a good run is often hard, and I will not appreciate it if you interrupt one. At all. In fact, I may try to tear your head off and feed it to my plot bunnies. [/quote] This.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:17:43 -0500

'When I go deathly still and stare out the window for fifteen minutes, fingers poised over the keyboard, I am working. Sometimes writing is furious typing and scribbled notes, but not always. Sometimes I need to think things through, or perhaps get myself into a specific emotional state so that I can write a difficult scene. I may not look like I'm doing anything to you, but in no way does that make it okay for you to break what might be a vital train of thought.' Oh yes XD When I go to my grandparents' house at the weekends for meals, after dinner I always get out my netbook and start writing, and my family wait until I stop to think for a moment and then go "Rebecca! Rebecca? Are you listening? I'm talking to you! REBECCA!" until I lose my train of thought or that amazing (or so I thought anyway XD) sentence I was just about to type and go "What? D:<" they just tell me they wanted me to look at something on the TV or go and find something for them. I know they're my family and I love them, but it's so annoying when they go "But you weren't writing, so it didn't matter if we interrupted you!"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ig_nobleigh — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:12:38 -0500

Seriously who in their right mind thinks that's okay! I don't understand these read over someone's shoulder people. That is such a heinous crime.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Shade_of_Lia — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:11:24 -0400

[quote=JettaBaby] That the reason I type before going to bed is because that's when inspiration strikes me, not because I don't want to go to bed yet. [/quote] Aw yes, that moment just before you fall asleep when inspiration slaps you back awake. That's why I sleep with a writing utensil and a piece of paper by my bedside at all times.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bookwyrm4life — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:28:05 -0500

My mother doesn't bother getting me to eat at the table -- she sets down a bowl of prepped foods which won't spoil and goes back to whatever she was doing. Then again, when she does that I don't complain about the food, I will eat whatever is given me, and I eat more that way. Mind you, she is a writer. My sister, who isn't, complains that I am being spoiled. However, she gets the most intriguing responses about her cooking when she asks me how I enjoyed dinner. "Went splendidly, the hippopotamus loved it" doesn't seem to be a response she is looking for.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

KalyaLee — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:22:11 -0500

WORD. nuff said.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Doal — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:52:38 -0500

I'm with ya on that one. I'm majoring in Spanish, and I get a couple of friends "kindly" suggesting that maybe next year, I should do the entire thing in Spanish! Incorrect. I will write some sections in Spanish as I see fit, but English is my writing language. I don't feel the need to have everything little thing in my life lind up with my major. I love Spanish, but I love writing in English just as much.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:42:53 -0500

Ugh, I get this all the time! I was "the writer" in high school, so anytime old acquaintances see me they are pretty much like: "Hey, how's it going? What are you doing now?" "I'm in university." "Oh, yeah, you're taking English, right?" "... No..." I'm actually taking pre-med and psychology degrees. I've never once wanted to go into English or told anyone I was going into English. People just assume that because I'm a writer, I want to study English, and that writers DON'T like science because OBVIOUSLY arts and science CANNOT be mixed... :P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:04:07 -0500

I have a feeling I'm going to get a lot of this when I go to college. I plan to major in anthropology. This does not mean I'll stop writing. I already get people asking me if English is my favorite class. No, that would be Bio. Now go away and let me write.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheDreamAuthor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:25:34 -0500

[quote]I really don't like it when people ask what my novel's about...I never feel like I can do my story justice and then I just make it sound stupid.[/quote] YES! And no one seems to understand when I say "I don't know how to explain it", everyone keeps telling me to "just make a simple explanation" but they don't understand how hard that is.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Frenzy — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:39:27 -0500

This and a half!! I always get asked this and end up making it sound terrible. What's more is that because of my horrible summary of my novel, it'll get made fun off. Made fun off I tell you! Talk about rude, but I just let it slide.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Syri_Rey4711 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:43:23 -0500

THIS. I told my English teacher I was doing NaNo and she asked me what my novel was about. I froze for almost a whole minute and finally ended up saying, "It's...fantasy. But with some serious stuff thrown in." EPIC FAIL. Is it really so hard for them to understand that I absolutely CANNOT summarize an entire story in less than two minutes? Heck, I probably couldn't get the point across in an HOUR! ...I just got a brilliant idea. I feel stupid for not thinking of this sooner. After NaNo, I am going to spend an entire weekend shut in my room trying adequately summarize my novel in a few short paragraphs, which I will then memorize and recite the next time somebody asks me the Dreaded Question. Wish me luck.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:00:08 -0500

I always end up saying something to the effect of "evil undead things and good undead things and zombies and magic". And they say "sounds good" or something and we all go on our merry way, haha. They don't seem to realize I haven't said a single thing about the plot...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:10:02 -0500

For last year's NaNo, I said "spies and zombies." Because that's what it was about. Hey, you didn't ask for a summary. This year's NaNo, I would probably pull out my answer from the "It's _____ meets _____" thread: "Twilight meets A Clockwork Orange." I don't mind summarizing my novels. This is probably because I haven't mastered actually getting a lot to happen in my novels. :/

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Shade_of_Lia — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:56:15 -0400

Exactly! It's like how non-writers fail to understand that as a writer you can't really make a character react a certain way. Instead, it all just has to come naturally. It really irritates me when non-writers ask me why I can't just make my characters act and feel certain ways and all I can tell them is: "I don't control the characters, I just put the obstacles in their way and see how they react."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

SarahNicole — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:08:10 -0400

Exactly what I was trying to say! :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:50:28 -0500

Yes! Agreed! Also, your post reminds me: people in general (non-writers and even some writers) don't understand that not all writers are obsessed with reading. I'm not an avid reader and sometimes people are baffled. "Why do you write if you don't read?" (just want to make it clear that I DO read for fun, just not very often and when I do it's mostly non-fiction). Uh... I still fail to understand how writing and reading have that much to do with each other. I write because I get ideas for stories that need to come out. Writing for me is a way to immortalize the stories and characters that go through my head. I like creating and developing characters and write about their lives and adventures. I don't see how a huge love of reading NEEDS to factor into that equation. ._. But no, apparently if you don't read a book every week there's no way you can be a writer, let alone a good one. What is "good", anyway? Seriously.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

peachitalianice — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:02:24 -0500

"Also I find it funny when non-writers panic over five hundred word essays and have to start working on them weeks before while I wait until the day before." ^THIS. And I always have too MANY words in my essays. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AlchemyAndWaffles — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:44:56 -0500

[quote=Shade_of_Lia] A good satirical piece should be written for personal use to make writing the dark things a little easier. [/quote] ^^THIS. Just, EXACTLY this!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

DaikonDuck — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:22:55 -0400

It's not necessarily inspiration, for me, but somehow I always write best when it'll deprive me of sleep.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

FlightlessPhoenix — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:02:54 -0400

I tend to get my best ideas in the stupidest of places, for instance, the shower, or mowing my lawn. You really have to retain those ideas in your brain.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

novoamor — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:02:58 -0500

I love my roommate, but I wanted to kill her when she kept interrupting me, knowing that I was writing Nano. >:[

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:26:26 -0500

[quote=BriBriBearx] Also, that it's nothing personal that I won't show you what I've written. [/quote] I feel the same way. They either think it's about them or they think you don't trust them. it's awful.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:55:09 -0500

"It's not that hard. I mean, you're just making it up right?" HAHAHA. As someone who's spent three years (and counting) doing research to make my novels as factually accurate as possible, this made me laugh out loud. JUST BECAUSE IT'S FICTIONAL, DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT GETTING OUR FACTS RIGHT, PEOPLE. Not all books are fantasy (and sometimes even fantasy requires research!). Honestly, some people... if only they knew.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BriBriBearx — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:17:09 -0400

Totally agreed with the last bit. My mom would be an excellent writer, but she won't give it a shot because she believes what I (and all of us here at NaNo) have is natural talent, not something that anyone could do and become good at (I certainly wasn't good at first!).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jacquipuff — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:59:13 -0500

Yes, exactly! My boyfriend comes up with, in my opinion, really good ideas, but sometimes they're just not the kind of thing I myself am good at writing, so I tell him to try it himself. He then goes on with "I could never write anything good!" and "YOU'RE the writer, not me!", and so forth. I tell him that even if he thinks what he's written is horrible, it doesn't matter, because that's the point of going back and editing and refining it. I have convinced him to give writing a try...sort of. I asked him to try it sometime "in the future", meaning the near future, like maybe sometime within the next year. He, on the other hand, intends to try it "sometime between now and the end of time."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

skarlatha — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:46:13 -0500

I taught a college class on creative writing, and one of my students brought me her short story a few days before it was due and she was very discouraged. She kept telling me that she wasn't a writer, that she couldn't write, that she'd signed up for this class because she thought it would be an easy elective and instead it was just HARD and she was embarrassed because she couldn't write to save her life. I read her story, and on the surface level... it was awful. Grammatically atrocious, rambling, sometimes even incoherent. But then I read it again, without focusing on the surface, and I was totally blown away by the story itself. I think a lot of people equate the ability to write with the ability to write CORRECTLY, when really they're not the same thing. This girl didn't need to know how to write. She just needed to learn to edit. And while both are very important, they're not the same thing. *climbs down off soap box*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

GoodApollo27 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:54:14 -0500

Same here. Sometimes, I'm up and writing so many times that I don't even bother to turn the light on. Of course, it's always a challenge to decipher what I actually wrote the next day... Anyway, I've heard that many people write better before they sleep, because that's when your brain is less attentive to all of those little voices of doubt and those pricklings of insecurity, to put it into simple terms.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

FlightlessPhoenix — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:01:04 -0400

I agree with this, because you really do have to hone your writing skills. I wrote a some 150+ page 'novel' when I was around 10, I thought it was absolutely fantastic at the time (although I never finished it...I tend to not really finish all of my plot bunnies after I'm done exploring them...). However, now, after reading it over it made me laugh with the simplicity of it. But it benefitted me greatly because even I could see the difference from page 1 to page 150. My descriptions had better language, the dialogue was better, the plot got more complicated and moved faster, and, funnily enough, my writing got smaller ;) Cheers to practise makes perfect!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:44:35 -0500

Exactly!!!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheDreamAuthor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:42:21 -0500

[quote]I think the thing that annoys me most is trying to explain to people why it's so difficult to share my writing. They always assume that it's because I'm afraid of criticism or self-conscious because I think my writing is bad. That's not true, and I don't mean that in an arrogant sort of way. Like every writer I know, I have a pretty vicious inner editor, and I always second guess what I write. But, because of that, I WELCOME criticism. No, it's the idea of exposing my inner most thoughts and fantasies and imagings that's so unsettling to me. It's very difficult to just go, "Here's all the stuff that I come up with when I'm alone and thinking too much. Here you go." [/quote] I can't even express how true this is. My mom was convinced at first that I was afraid of criticism, when really I was avidly taking in every bit of criticism possible. Thankfully she understands a bit better now... But still no one understands the "why won't you let me read it?" part. They think it's the criticism or something when really it's the inner most parts of me on the page. I don't need to here you tell me "If you want to be published one day people are going to have to read it." I know that. It's when people close to me read it that I freak out. One day I want to say "How would YOU feel if you were to take all of your most secret thoughts and emotions and inner ideas/fantasies and shove them in front of people who know you well huh? Wouldn't YOU be worried about what they thought of it?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:47 -0500

[quote]And just because my fingers aren't flying across the keyboard doesn't mean I'm not writing.[/quote] THIS! How much of our work is internal? We can't seem to get non-writers to understand that the actual process of typing out words into a word processor program (or typewriter, or written onto a pad of paper... You get the idea) is only a small part of writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kitty Ritter — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:17:49 -0500

Yes... My parents think they are being supportive as all get out by saying my work is pure genius, but it isn't really helpful. Okay, possibly a needed ego boost, but other than that, not helpful. I guess it's better than the parents mentioned in earlier threads who read their children's writing when they aren't supposed to, but this is one of the first "things that non-writers can't understand" that really rings a bell with me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms.mercy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:05:57 -0500

Ditto! And I'll pull them for the entire length of time it takes for me to draw (or write) it, and then my face hurts afterwards, ahaha :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Star-Gidget-chan — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:44:37 -0500

Totally love your avatar. Just had to say it, Humon is great!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

sarinn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:36:08 -0500

[quote=BlotchyQuill] Others just think it's easy, something anyone can do. OH, "Put me in your novel!" is a demand I've been given a lot since November started. [/quote] I had one request for this, and I did it. The look on her face when I told her her character was borderline insane, heard voices, and spoke in non-sense half the time was priceless! XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cenlyra — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:41:16 -0500

[quote=BlotchyQuill] OH, "Put me in your novel!" is a demand I've been given a lot since November started. [/quote] This. I've had several people telling me to make them characters in my novel. Like, no. It doesn't work like that. I know my characters better than I know anyone else, almost as well as I know myself. But the other thing they don't understand is despite the fact that I created my characters, I really don't know everything about them. And some things I thought I knew turned out to be wrong. I am still learning more about my characters from a previous novel attempt, just because I'm still exploring the same universe. They are going to surprise me at one point or another, and even though I complain about it at times, that's pretty much the best part of writing for me: When what I write veers off into a different direction than I had originally planned. Yes, it's annoying to have to change my novel at a moment's notice. But, the world and the characters come alive for me. While they're still doing everything I tell them, they're two-dimensional. But once something unexpected happens, it's like real life, except written on paper. That's what I always loved most about reading, and the realization that my characters COULD, if I wrote them well, exist in the real world, with all the complexities of live human beings did wonders for my writing and motivation. Once characters can decide for themselves and act for themselves, giving me no prior notice of what they're going to do, then what I'm writing become something I can stand to look at in the future. If they're still going along with my plan, doing everything I say, and not revealing anything else about them, I normally can't get them to finish the story, and I will probably never look at it again. :( One final message to the non-writers: Why do I write? Not just to get published, not just to prove something to myself or others, not because someone wants me to. I write because I can write. I write because I love to. I write because I need to. I will go crazy if I don't. I write to learn new things, about my story and about myself. I write to love, as corny as that sounds... and I don't know if anyone else feels the same way about it, or if I can even explain it better. I write to understand myself, and to understand other people. Writing is my passion.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:49:08 -0500

[quote=CaffeinatedTarantula] Also, I was just talking about this in another thread, but people think that writing comes out perfectly the first time, apparently, since everyone wants to read everything on December 1st. My story is riddled with plot holes, there are scenes of people napping, and a lot of weak motivation at parts. Let me clean this up...please? Please stop pestering me....please?! [/quote] I get this one too, except I have this need to hit my heros on the head for blackouts. ;-) I have to go back and clean those out too.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

xandert — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:55:21 -0500

I know what you mean re: "How do you come up with stuff to write?" All kinds of things inspire me, not any single thing. People have no idea how complex that question really is! I think those of us who write simply look at the world a bit differently than most folks, and trying to explain it is generally an exercise in futility and frustration. I've never been asked by I think writing is fun. I have been asked why I do it. "Therapy. It keeps me from hurting someone." is one of my favorite off -beat responses. *G* But writing really is great therapy, and a great way to just exercise creativity in a way that's enjoyable for me. Some people paint (mega gag me!!!). I write. Everyone has their own creative outlets. Why do any of them do it?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:50:56 -0500

[quote=slrphebos] One question I get all the time is "how do you come up with stuff to write?" There is no answer I can ever give to that. I don't get how I come up with ideas or characters or anything really. It just comes to me. [/quote] My answer is usually the collective unconscious or the big story generator in the sky. I get the "you are crazy" looks. I had someone pretty recently look at me like they were dissecting a bug. "How do you get our story lines? I am so interested in how writers get their ideas." I just shrugged. I hate being dissected.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

A.J.Horn — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:40:12 -0500

I'm with you on this one. I think that a non-writer can understand if the writer is willing to explain, and more importantly, if the non-writer is willing to listen, really listen.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

TheGildedFox — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:03:49 -0500

I have known some truly uncreative people in my life. Seriously. I'd love to think that everyone was capable of opening up their mind and spilling forth with some sort of original expression, but I really do believe that there are some people in the world that just can't do it. And there are a great deal of people who probably could have at some point, but the muscle is so weak from under-use that if they tried to think creatively or expressively, it would come out very restrained and hackneyed. But then, I'm a pessimist.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Star-Gidget-chan — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:50:04 -0500

Happens the same with my mom. fortunately, she doesn't have that friend, but she's all like "you've been writing that book for YEARS now, when will you finish?" and I try to explain her that the fact that I was a child when I first had the idea means that I've had to basically rewrite it from nothing a couple of times as I grew up. The other thing is that she basically seems to expect me to become rich like J.K. Rowling as soon as I publish. That freaks me out, because I'd love to, yes, but I don't even know if they will want to publish my book one it's done and I'd also love it, but I can not be sure people will love it indeed.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

WholeHeart — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:43:46 -0500

[quote=AngesRadieux] At one point she made me so paranoid that I learned the runic alphabet and anything I wrote by hand was written in runes so that people could sit and stare at the page all they want and never be able to read it. [/quote] Not only did I learn another alphabet to keep people from reading my stuff without permission, I even taught myself to write it backwards....

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

SilverGryphon — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:40:20 -0500

There's a lovely little feature (at least in Windows 7) where you can click the bottom right corner of the taskbar and it'll take you straight to the desktop with everything minimized... new best friend.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

blu_sour_skittle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:55:55 -0500

I know exactly how you feel. I had invented a coded alphabet when I was in middle school. I used to keep all of my diaries in code when I was younger. When I'm at work, I write during down time. So many people have been trying to read it over my shoulder that I've switched back to writing in my code again.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:30:55 -0500

[quote=AngesRadieux] At one point she made me so paranoid that I learned the runic alphabet and anything I wrote by hand was written in runes so that people could sit and stare at the page all they want and never be able to read it. [/quote] Last year my friend and I would discuss sensitive issues at school, so I invented a code for us to use and gave him a copy, it was actually really fun, and I learned to write in it and a rune alphabet really quickly so I could take notes in them. My one friend's older sister would write using a pen and inkwell, in french in a rune alphabet...for school notes. My friend found her sister's old notes for a class my friend was taking and flipped through it (she can read french and the runes as well) and was like "I'm surprised they were as detailed as they were, and that she didn't fail."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Zahra — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:39:11 -0500

[quote=AngesRadieux] So. Much. Truth! It's not so much with writing anymore, but I'm a musician and my parents acted really surprised that I'm getting paid to sing a wedding. And they're the same way! They think that music and the other arts should be hobbies, not something you study at school and try to incorporate into making a living. I also hate the sing something for me RIGHT NOW. You wouldn't ask an architect to draft a building RIGHT NOW, so you can't expect a musician/artist/writer/etc. to perform/draw/write/etc. something on a moment's notice. [/quote] OMG. This. The writing I can take (no-one knows I write, so I don't get that), but I'm also a musician and I absolutely hate when people think that I would sing at a wedding or some other thing without getting paid! I mean, I live off this. I should be able to earn enough money from it, shouldn't I? The worst part is the "Sing something now. Come on, sing something!" I hate it. I have a recording of my singing on my iPod. If they want to listen, listen to that. =P About writing: I created an alphabet so that I could write in public (and with my family around) without them understand what I was writing. That is actually quite fun. =)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

She Who Writes — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:46:29 -0500

I know both the Cyrillic and Greek alphabets, and I use them (or a conjunction of both) to write whenever I do it by hand. In 7th grade, our English teacher made us keep a journal, and although she promised not to read it (yeah, right), I was still paranoid and wrote it all Cyrillic so no one could understand what I wrote.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lollem — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:05:19 -0500

Thisssss.... My roomie is sweet, and is really supportive of NaNo, but seems totally incapable of understanding that right now, I am writing and need that focus that they are so determined to break to ask if I want to go to this or that event (and that no, I probably don't want to go to that event, I'm writing).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

xandert — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:04:53 -0500

[quote=DouglasMB] ... and they wave it off an say, nah I don't have time for anything silly like that. [/quote] That has to be one of the most condescending comments people can make about anything. I absolutely HATE to paint, sew and a few other creative things I've tried over the years, but I would never say they are "silly". They just aren't the creative medium for me. I think it's great that others enjoy them, as long as they don't try to force me into them. People really do devalue each other in some pretty phenomenal, and easy to miss, ways at times. When it comes down to it, every single one of us does things, finds things enjoyable, that others might consider a silly waste of time if they aren't willing to see the value in it for us. They better be careful or we can turn those tables right around on them -- imagine their horror if we declared something that was important to them to be "silly" and implied they were wasting their time in pursuing it. I can think of one it would really really easy for me to blow off as a silly waste of time - video games. I hate the things. See no redeeming value in them for me. As a result, it would be so easy for me to take that condescending attitude toward others who see value in them. But I know that's the way some people decompress from the stress of their daily lives. Some play computer/video games. Some sing. Some read fiction (which I've also heard accused of being a waste of time). Some knit or crochet (I actually do crochet, but how many doilies can any single person possibly need?!?!). Some paint. As long as we gain something from it, what difference does it make? Sorry, I guess you hit on a pet peeve of mine...... I'll shut up now. *G*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:08:25 -0500

My mother says that too. She wants me to buy her a car when I get published, but it takes a lot of effort to get published from what I've heard.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Miss Atrocity — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:46:49 -0500

[quote=scintillalux] As if I can just call the publishing fairies, make demands, and my wish will be granted. [/quote] If only! This is how my parents act whenever I finish (or am on the verge of finishing) something. Like, the minute I type that final period, my novel just magically shoots through some magical tube and into the hands of an agent who says, "YEAH!" and gets me published the very next day. When I try explaining to them that it takes time (not to mention editing), they just act like I'm being difficult.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mariana OConnor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:55:39 -0500

As someone who had one of those internships (or sort of - I worked for the expenses to cover my train travel to write marketing articles and it almost killed my soul) I would like to say thank you. There is nothing quite so horrible as having something you enjoy twisted into something you dislike while seeing no benefits other than a hazy someday someone might want to hire you because now you have 'experience'. And that's not even mentioning how ****ing long it took me to get out of that place. Vultures doesn't even cover it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mariana OConnor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:57:09 -0500

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:27:23 -0500

[quote]under no circumstances what so EVER, means to come stand beside me when I'm paying you no attention and try to read my writing over my shoulder. >.< [/quote] Ohgods! I just want to gouge out people's eyes with a dull spork when they do that!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

DaleyNotGeorge — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:56:02 -0500

Have you asked him politely but firmly to respect your space and please not do that?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lynx_Tiger — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:11:08 -0500

^ This totally with the boyfriend comment. I have that happen to me often

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Doodles13 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:40:25 -0500

Mu husband does this ALL THE FREAKING TIME and it drives me insane. I've told him at least a hundred times to quit it and GTFO (no exaggeration, I seriously tell him this about fifteen-twenty times a day) and he seems to think I'm kidding around. I'm about ready to abandon my house for the rest of the month to get some peace and quiet.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

blu_sour_skittle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:58:14 -0500

Backwards, you say? Interesting. Considering the fact that, for the last few years, all of my passwords are backwards and coded, I have no idea why it hadn't occurred to me to write my code backwards as well. Note to self: get to practicing that. =3

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

flyingandfalling — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:46:14 -0500

they think we joke when we say it. we don't...at least, i don't. poor college kids need money, and if I'm going to use my valuable time to write you a poem about how much you love pie, you're going to pay me for it. or at least give me some of the pie...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

blu_sour_skittle — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:05:28 -0500

My boyfriend gets that a lot. :/ He's to sweet to tell them no, but he hates feeling used when they do that. I should tell him about this. ^^ I do have to say, though, that people often don't mind giving out their skills for free, if they think it is worth it. Say, if you've never really asked them for heavy favors, or if they owe you a favor. I ended up getting a custom comp built for me by my boyfriend. I'd never once asked him to look at my laptop when it took a sht on me. I just asked him what I should do about it, and where to take it. He said if it was still under warranty, I should take it back where I got it. If not, then take it to his shop, and he could probably get me a deal on the work. Turns out, the thing took a serious sht, and couldn't be helped. He ended up building me a custom computer from the ground up. Thing is a beast. <3

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:13:00 -0500

Oh, I love you for this! I had someone do the same thing.... then I explained, "You know, most people think surgeons are the closest thing to God, but really, it's writers. We create worlds and people, and we create hardships for those people, just to see what they'll do. Do you think a surgeon would get away with killing his patient just because it was a good idea? I think not." She changed her mind after that.... and kept a good bit of distance between us from then on. **grins evilly**

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

KalyaLee — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:08:35 -0500

Oh yes, yes!! People wonder why I don't show my stuff to th but it's just because they always think I'm as nuts as my characters are. Just because my character killed herself, doesn't mean that I will do the same. I mean, I'm still here aren't I?!?!?!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Katarinea — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:53:13 -0500

offtopic: hnnng I love your avatar. GO BILLY.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

scintillalux — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:56:35 -0500

^Exactly this. I was asked the other day, "We've been waiting for a year, when is it gonna be ready?" Like I'm making pizza!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

shivershiro — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:00:04 -0500

Yeah, my mum wants to read my story when it's done, but considering how little of the plot I've actually gotten though and how many plot holes there are, I don't think it's going to be done for a while... *sigh*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:15:33 -0500

My mother will do that. She'll complain constantly about not being able to get on facebook and I'll say, "I'm working. I don't come to you're work and stop you in the middle of a meeting to tell you I need to get on Facebook."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:16:41 -0500

[quote=meg_nicholle] At this point I feel like I'm just repeating things that have aleady been said, but here are a few things that really bother me. First of all, they don't understand nano. I've tried telling a few people what I'm doing and the main response I've gotten is "So, it's like a contest? What do you win?" When I tell them that it's not a contest and there is no prize like they would think, they just don't get it. They don't understand that the journey itself and the pride that comes along with what you have accomplished can be enough of a prize. [/quote] I tell them I get a PDF certificate to rub in their faces.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

The_Quillmaster — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:29:14 -0500

This feature has been my friend since I first discovered it, which was quite a while ago. Windows Vista users can click on the little icon that looks like a mini desktop. It's to the right of the Start button.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:31:42 -0500

My Literature teacher would have LOVED you :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Calista.Artemis — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:32:37 -0500

L!!!!!!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Aelfay — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:29:38 -0500

I think my goal is to be able to keep this face in public so I can look all writerly:

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bjorke — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:45:39 -0500

^^ This. I'm so used to getting strange looks for discussing my characters. I recently was talking to a friend (who is also doing NaNo) and it was such a relief to talk about characters meeting each other and not feel crazy. She knows just what I mean and does the same thing! <3

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:09:48 -0500

HAH. Not that I would ever tell any non-writers IRL, but most of the time I care FAR more about what my MC thinks and feels than what most real people I know think and feel. This probably makes me a bad person. I'm cool with that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:52:06 -0500

Same! I get very upset when people say that. Along with my 150-odd other characters, who are all special to me too of course, I have a character who's been with me for nearly a decade, he's my muse and I love him. He's developed a lot since I first made him, but that's normal because people change. He's always there in the corner of my mind when I need him, so when people say "Your characters aren't real," I actually get quite upset, but if I tell them that, they'd think I was some sort of freak. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:29:34 -0500

your mother sounds amazing. My mother will interrupt me in the middle of a frenzy. She regularly takes my netbook AWAY until after dinner as well!!! Can I steal your mother? At least for next NaNo? :D (I love your spelling of wyrm. Just saying.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alicerabbits — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:57:04 -0500

The best answer, for me, for that question is: All of them. I created them. I've lovingly given them names, personalities, jobs, and set them out into the universe to do what they will. Just as I'm an expression of my creator, so are my characters an expression of me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CyraEm — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:04:55 -0500

I will take all the story ideas. I am constantly mining others for ideas, because my inspiration usually consists of a perfect setting, characters, names, etc. but absolutely no plot. It's like I think I'm making a dollhouse and once I put all the little people in their pretty gardens I'm done.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:09:45 -0500

[quote=Fractured_Chaos] For me: when someone discovers I like to write fanfiction: I get a lot of "But you're so good! You should do some -real- writing!" He-llo? It is real writing. I still have to follow he same rules for plot and characterization and technicalities as I would for an "original" novel. Only difference is that I can skip the world-building step (unless the fandom characters get shunted into a different world from their own), and -some- of the character-building (because there are often OCs, even in fanfic -- at least with mine). [/quote] Oh my gosh, THIS! I write fanfiction as well! It's so frustrating when people tell me I should do "real" writing. IT IS REAL. For some reason fanfiction has this bad rep for being lesser.... it's so annoying! I put my stuff up on fanfiction.net, so my friends can read it, (none of my nano stuff is there yet, I haven't had time to edit it) so my friends can go read it, which is nice, because I make them do it, but they still don't get it. Then they just say "oh, well, thats nice i guess? I had a writer friend...a sirius writer friend....say that the other day. REALLY? YOU SHOULD BE UNDERSTANDING!!! er... rant over! :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kitty Ritter — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:11:15 -0500

Coded alphabet? Impressive. I mean, it's one thing to write in code for seven sentences to your best friend in elementary school, but to pound out real writing, in quantity? Yow.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

patriciarakel — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:09 -0500

[quote=blu_sour_skittle] People don't seem to realize that asking to see our unfinished, unedited, fresh from our veins, straight from the womb writing is like asking to see us naked, in public. In fact, I think I would more likely do the latter. Dancing. Possibly on TV. [/quote] I want that on a tee shirt. Not even joking. :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:43:13 -0500

Ugh. That's the worst. This is why I'm really, really careful about who I talk about my writing to. A few experiences with people telling me what to write has taught me that lesson.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

A.L. More — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:41:10 -0500

Oh yeah, I get that. I told a friend of mine what I was writing (romance between zombie hunters) and he was all, "Zombies! YAY!" He nearly pitched a fit when I told him that zombies weren't the focus of the piece, it was just the setting. When I told him that he should write his own damn novel if he loves zombies so much, he gave me the whole, "I'm not creative" excuse.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Miss Atrocity — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:40:13 -0500

Ever single one of my friends and family members is like this. I feel your pain. -_- The minute you try to explain how much work it is to actually get published, they think you're just making up excuses or something.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Hoshi Niccon — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:55:59 -0500

I know what you mean luckily my BF is an RPer witch give him some insight to character development and what not so we have long conversations about how our characters would react to certain situations.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

shivershiro — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:04:31 -0500

This is why I'm so glad that my friends are taking part in NaNo with me - I can talk to them about how my characters aren't doing what I planned them to do without feeling like a total moron :D (Thank you, whoever's listening, for friends that love writing just like I do~)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:14:40 -0500

They're an expression of you in the sense that you created them, but I think what the above poster is talking about is that they're not necessarily anything like you. I love creating characters from scratch. I don't think I've ever consciously thought "I'm going to give this character trait X because it's like Person Y in my life." I love creating personalities and seeing how they interact with each other. Sure, some of my characters share a trait or an interest with me here and there, but who doesn't share at least one trait or interest with anyone else? Some writers (myself included) don't think of their characters at all as reflections of themselves. They aren't real (except to me!), but they're their own people.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Miss Atrocity — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:43:00 -0500

Aw, I'm so sorry she did that. I can understand her being proud and whatnot, but it's really a shame that she can't see why you were hurt and offended by it. I definitely would have reacted the exact same way as you. Maybe one day in the future you'll be able to come back to it. I really hope so!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:46:54 -0500

OMFG I'm actually horrified for you right now. O_O I'm so sorry that happened! If anyone in my family ever did that, I'm pretty sure I would actually disown them! :P I think my mom would, too (my mom is almost as protective of my book as I am haha). My friends, too... but my friends wouldn't because they know exactly what my catastrophic reaction will be if they ever do something like that. Because I have told them. Very explicitly. Plus like half of my close friends are writers, so that helps. Oh, man... I mean, I'm sure your aunt meant well, but I can't even IMAGINE how pissed off you must have been. :(

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

cchapman84 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:14:38 -0500

Typos exist in virtually every published piece out there. Excessive typos are bad, but a handful in a novel length work are no biggie.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Imperatrix Xoco — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:51:04 -0500

And even beyond that, I think some writers forget that everything they type is practice. Every time you opt to break a few basic conventions here and there, it makes a tiny little pathway in your brain that will make you make those same mistakes where it counts: in your writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:14:19 -0500

I know the feeling. I'm in college now. Fiction writing is the best. While a research paper is objectively easier...having to do a bunch of them is probably why I have a searing hatred of Times New Roman. I've always disliked the font (thought it was kind of dull and the serifs, the little things on the ends of letters, distract me), but now it's grown into a loathing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Chestergirl28 — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:41:04 -0500

I'm in 8th grade and my English teacher is so picky! We have to write everything Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, with one-inch margins. And she measures or margins. No joke- I made the margins 1.05 once just to see, and I get it back, graded, and edited, with a note saying "Needs to be 1-inch margins".

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kittenn1011 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:12:13 -0500

This. So much this. I have friends who's response was "OMG WHAT?" and if they ask about my daily word count, the idea that it jumped two-thousand words from the day before blew their mind. On the other hand, my brother and a friend who is like my brother are type two. My friend's response is, "That's not that impressive." On the other hand, my brother proved that he sees it like that way through his actions. "Oh, cool" was fine. When he started expecting me to get off my computer and be done for the day so he could have it after only a half-hour of writing... yeah, no.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AngesRadieux — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:29:42 -0500

YES! I was posting about NaNo on an RP forum a week or so ago. When someone asked what NaNo is, I explained that it's the challenge to write a novel of 50k words or more within a month. I wanted to reach through the computer screen and smack this one person so much! I got: "Pft! When *insert name* and I were RPing I'd write like FIVE TIMES that per month EASILY! If I didn't have *insert excuses here* going on, I could do that EASILY" Really? Well, first of writing in an RP is NOT the same as writing a novel. In fact, that's something I struggle with because I do RP so much. When you're writing a novel, you're writing one or two characters and you only control a small portion of the plot. You don't have to worry about gaping plot holes, you don't have to worry about creating a whole cast of characters, and when you get stuck your RP partner(s) can just throw something else into the mix to get you inspired. SO not the same. And if you can do five times this EASILY, then you should be able to get 50k NO PROBLEM even with all of that other stuff. So, yeah, I'd like to see you try.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:42:19 -0500

I agree 100%! My dad doesn't get that just because I have the physical capability to type 50 words a minute, NO, I can't write 1500 words of my story in half an hour.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Elisabell_angel — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:52:41 -0500

I know what you mean. When I was in high school the same thing happened to me. Everyone thought I was some kind of lunatic for enjoying writing.. It's pretty sad.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

floraleee — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:53:34 -0500

I hate when I find other writers in high school who seem interested in NaNo, and then they get really excited and ask, "What's the prize?" So I reply, "The satisfaction of writing a novel you wouldn't have otherwise finished?" And them *BAM* It's never mentioned ever ever again. And then I'm like, Are you kidding me.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:08:01 -0500

THIS!!!! SOOOOOO MUCH THIS!!! Friend, "So what's the prize? Money or sumthin'?" Me: "Uh, no, there is no prize." Friend (looks at me like I'm crazy): "How much are you writing?" Me: "Just 50K." Friend: "JUST? Wait, how many pages is that?" Me: "Microsoft word? About a hundred." Friend: "Whoa! That's insane!" They then insist on my writing their essays because OBVIOUSLY 'I like writing'. >.> meh.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:27:51 -0500

That. Is. Awesome.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:18:29 -0500

YES THANK YOU!!!! I do as well! It starts soooooo many conversations.... :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:41:54 -0500

I get exactly the same but with my art. XD It's not so bad now, but when I was younger my family used to get very confused, especially my grandma. She'd point at a drawing I was doing and go "Is that you?" or "Is that your friend/boyfriend?" when most of the time I was drawing my own characters, who are mostly fantasy characters! XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:59:21 -0500

Oh. My. God. This. 100%. Everyone who knows me or who knows of my IRL knows I write. It's that big a part of my identity. So generally I will get at least one person a week asking me what my book is about - and while I don't like sharing too much about my plot or characters because I'm really paranoid, I'm not shy about telling people the general premise. My book is about a guy with a severe mental illness (as in, like, I don't use the word crazy loosely, but this guy has just about every adverse psychological symptom/messed up coping mechanism you can think of). That's the whole point of the novel. I'm pretty sure a lot of people I know currently assume I am actually insane (and not just writer-insane). It's nbd, but seriously... where did this notion that every work of fiction is suddenly a thinly-veiled memoir of the author EVEN COME FROM?? Just for the record, I don't have any sort of clinically significant mental health issue. Which is predominantly why this "oh it's actually secretly the author's life story!!!1!" mindset is half-bewildering and half-hilarious to me, lol.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kaitlynleliel — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:08:34 -0500

Also, my friends who don't write tend to think it's a waste of time. They keep thinking that the only time a high school student needs to be writing is for, say, papers. They have some idea that if you want to write fiction, you don't need to start in college. It's like the concept of practicing doesn't register with them...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

A.L. More — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:14:40 -0500

I have a woman at work who jokes that because I read and write about vampires and werewolves and stuff, I want to become one. No. Just... no. I like being human, thank you very much.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AngesRadieux — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:32:20 -0500

Ha. Ha. Ha. I have vampires and werewolves in my novel and my MC is a werewolf. But I'd NEVER want to be a werewolf in my novel. Being a werewolf sucks! Especially in my novel. xD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:25:38 -0500

There was a long period where I'd take being a vampire. Just because there are so many things I want to do and I really don't care about the sun anyway. Now... nah. I have people I love. Not planning to outlive them by centuries.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

shivershiro — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:22:12 -0500

Oh god, yes, I know what you mean! [ranting answers here] I write fanfiction - yes, okay, it's slash, but I think they're perfect together and... I'm not going to go into it - and so the character is gay. But writing a gay character isn't any different from writing a straight character! And if they're tumbling through the waves of love, then why would homosexual love and how the characters feels be any different from heterosexual love and how the characters feel? Answer to that - I can't see any difference. I always write male characters - don't know why, I just do; being a girl myself it might be weird, but that's just the way I roll. Your sex shouldn't, and doesn't, decide which sex your main characters are - if anything, I like writing about boys because I can bring out the best in them, in my opinion, that I don't see with the guy-friends I hang around with. Or my brother, ergh, my brother. My characters constantly tell the story. Just a few days ago actually, Trith almost got eaten by a dragon - that wasn't planned, I wasn't even going to consider it, but it happened because that's what my story and my characters wanted to happen. It's as simple as that, really. And last but not least, I hate talking about my writing. It makes me feel awkward, like I'm being constantly assessed. My writing is mine own, not yours to goggle and gap at. [/end ranting answers]

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

eekageek — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:04:58 -0500

Just gotta say this - I LOVE YOUR AVATAR!!! Ok done now.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

misslizzylennon — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:43:19 -0500

This is so true, omg. One of my friends (who's also writing her own novel) read like, idk, 20 pages of my book while i read hers, and you're so right, it does take so much trust and everything. I wouldn't have shown anyone else.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:55:39 -0500

There is an insane level of trust in being the first to read something. For me though, once you have that trust, I'll hand over the earliest draft of something without a second thought. It's really funny because the guy who I sent my first chapter to right after I was finished with it was the guy who did the one thing you all hate, he swiped last year's nano off my desk during History...during nano. I was a little mad at him and then he said "Can I make some grammar changes?" And I was like "Not until December, if you want I'll print it out for you then." He handed it right back without reading another page. Truely his redemption in that moment, I think. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't given it back.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:03:37 -0500

Oh my God I hear ya... like, I actually get personally offended when someone I barely know assumes they're going to be able to read my book before it's published. It's like... you think so, do you?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:25:28 -0500

YES, that would be AWESOME!!!!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Amelia217 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:25:15 -0500

**thumbs up**

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

She Who Writes — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:43:13 -0500

I want to keep that face on, too! It's awesome!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

OSM — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:24:44 -0500

I'm going to jump on the 'I-hate-not-getting-feedback' bandwagon. Thankfully most of my friends are artist of some sort, so they tend to understand this and will point out some things they like and why, or some things they don't like and why. It also helps that they've learned I have a thick skin, and won't run off in a fit if they don't me that I am a writing goddess every time they read my work XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CyraEm — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:00:13 -0500

Your picture perfectly encapsulates my response.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

the-lonely-angel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:03:53 -0500

I hate when my parents do that. xD Worse still, my dad threatens to shut off the internet if I don't get off right now. And if I try to ignore him, he comes and reads over my shoulder, because he knows I hate that and whenever I know someone's doing it to me I slam the laptop screen down so nobody can see what I'm writing. Drives me mad. x3

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Nastashal — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:07:12 -0500

Everything you said - yes. People do assess my writing if I talk about it, that's why I don't. They always ask WHY did I "choose" to write this or that or the other thing. WHY those names, places, actions... blah blah blah. That's why I self-publish. No annoying editors and agents and crap.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:20:04 -0500

This is why I'm glad I write fanfic. Most people offline don't care, and the people online who do ask about my writing are the ones I actually trust not to pick it apart and ask a bunch of "Why"s until I hate the story and wish to scream at that person. Also, word to everything you just said in your first paragraph. Though replace "slash" with "femmeslash" and you've got my rant on "is it really so different"?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mariana OConnor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:56:39 -0500

Darn it, posting!fail... this was supposed to be a reply to DaleyNotGeorge. *facepalm* I'm so angry I can't click straight. Sorry

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mariana OConnor — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:57:58 -0500

Okay, so it wasn't me, it was the forums. I'm just going to give up now and go back to my Nano. Clearly this is the Internet's way of telling me that I've taken a long enough break.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:38:32 -0500

See, I'm different. I have a lot of story ideas, and I get them from bizarre places. Like I might hear a conversation about ice cream, and it'll germinate and become an idea for a sci-fi thriller on an ice planet, or something as weird.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rehtse — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:48:20 -0500

I also worry about peoples reactions to my writing. I'm in the same boat as you. I think my parents think I am writing a book about sunshine and lolipops but every story I write has death, betrayal, sadness, choices that warrant dark consequences. Like you there's nothing really immoral in my novel, although I do swear occasionally because I think that the characters would. I think at a certain point we both should stop worrying about this though (easier said then done). I read somewhere that you should never let your ideas of other's possible reactions hold you back from telling your story to the fullest. And it's really interesting how you feel closer to God with writing. I thought of that a little bit before, but never in the depth you explained. But it makes sense. I feel the exact same way.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Arya Svit-Kona — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:55:30 -0500

I worry about people's reactions to my writing big time. Like you, there's no swearing or sexual content or anything like that, but there is a lot of violence and bloodshed. And I'm afraid they'll think it's stupid. I love my story, but.... I don't think they'd quite understand. They wouldn't understand why I make a point to make my MC's life living hell, they wouldn't understand all the plot twists, they wouldn't understand the reactions of characters... they just wouldn't understand it.... I'm especially worried about what my mum would think. My dad would probably like it, but my mum.... I have enough trouble showing her my essays for school, and a story I wrote would be incredibly hard for me to show her. I can't even tell her the synopsis! I guess I'm just afraid of being judged. Unlike most, I don't want the criticism even though I know I need. I just want people to say, "Wow! That was brilliant!" Well, most people. I want my parents to say that, and the rest of my family to say that. The friend I've shown my novel to? She can criticize all she wants! It's just my family that I don't want criticizing it for some reason.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

iamstalkingu — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:15:43 -0500

My parents do that, too. (Although they both don't see very well) and then I cover it up with my hands, so my mom gets mad and asks me why I'm writing 'stuff like that' and forces me to read out the last sentance I wrote. I always tell her it's not becuase I write bad things,but becuase it's a rough draft. I hate it when people read things I wrote that aren't as perfect as I can make them.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tune_ — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:51:14 -0500

All of this explains it perfectly. My dad continually asks me what I'm writing. He asks me if he could read it. Then he says I should let everyone I know read what I've written. I feel horrible, but I tell him straight-up no every single time. He asks me why I'm writing inappropriate material, to which I can only sigh and shake my head. First of all, short stories are unpublishable as far as I know and care about. Second of all, no one wants to read about insanity. ;3; Lastly, It's a freakin' rough draft. I'm immensely unhappy with it and don't want to share my apparent shortcomings -- that doesn't mean my work is full of sex and other 'adult themes'. On second thought... scratch that. About half of them involve adult themes and sexual scenes, now to think of it. He probably thinks I'm writing something happy and joyful and romantic where everything in life is good, whilst in the meantime I'm sending characters into psychosis, killing random people for fun, explaining depression and what it does to screw you up, and just generally writing stuff on the darker aspects of life. He would be so scared of me if he ever read what I wrote. ;D I never take into account "hey, what if my parents don't approve of this?" I just write. If they *really* want to read something I've written, I'll pull something together for them that *is* romance, fluff and happiness.Something I approve of enough to show them that isn't death and blood and sadness. It will tear me apart to do so, but I honestly don't want my parents being scared for my mental health. -_______-

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:04:26 -0500

I think avid reading is more important for writers aiming for publication so it's easier to see what's been done or overdone in the particular genre. However, people writing for fun don't need to worry about that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

A.L. More — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:27:39 -0500

Quote Ernest Hemingway at them: "The first draft of anything is sh*t" :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:19:07 -0500

And most non-writers don't understand this. They think that if you're a writer your characters HAVE to be partly based on you/people you know. Because apparently it's IMPOSSIBLE to come up with a brand new person. Uh... it's called an imagination. Not saying that people who base their character off real people don't have an imagination, just that it's possible to create characters from scratch and that some people do.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

peachitalianice — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:04:17 -0500

This. Non-writers always seem to not understand the imaginations of writers. They think it hard to come up with the stuff in your novel or strange that you have imaginary conversations with characters. You know what, I just realized that my novel's biggest fan at the present moment, Avery, an eleven-year-old adorable friend of mine, has said before that he doesn't have an imagination. XD Ahaha, maybe that's why he loves my fantasy story so much.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:44:44 -0500

Agh, I HATE it when people ask me to read out my own writing. I will never read out my own writing. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:18:32 -0500

In my defense, I can't actually spell to save my life and most forums don't have a spell check, and when they do, I usually cannot use it. I'm not going to copy and paste every post into word to see and correct spelling mistakes, if you can read and understand it, it's spelled correctly enough. Plus that takes away from the heat of the moment, conversation feel sometimes. I'll agree, chat speak is annoying, I only use it in texts because of how limited the character count is. Even then, I'm usually switching back and forth between u and you and know and kno.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:10:25 -0500

[quote]I love to write, no matter how frustrating it can be. [/quote] This! So, so much this!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:38:34 -0500

Not particularly relevant to the main topic, but if you've read any of the Phantom Stallion books (or even if you haven't) those things are PACKED with typos. I started counting them once and I gave up at about ten in three chapters.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

OSM — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:49:58 -0500

I think this is especially relevant during NaNo, when our stories aren't yet fully formed. Summarizing my plot always comes easier during December (or later) once I know what is happening.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:08:58 -0500

"If I do that it'll never get done." This is exactly how I got myself through my ending (I'd been working on my project for over two years, the ending was brutal, etc - it was very, very tough). But I told myself, "If I wait till I'm ready, it'll never get done." It always works out when you just push through it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Fractured_Chaos — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:12:56 -0500

I had one of those once. (note the past tense, here) He never had anything to say to me, until I was writing. Then he demanded tons of attention. That wasn't why we got divorced. it was just one symptom of a much more insidious problem.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:13:01 -0500

I may have just looked you up on ff.n, and my I say, NEVER WRITE MORE THAN 3 STORIES!!!! the ":3" next to your name when you search it is ADORABLE!!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

eekageek — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:03:37 -0500

Number 2 and 3, definitely (luckily I don't live at home, so no one can tell me what to do, yay!). I've developed a tendency to say the various (strange) names in my novel out loud, to hear how they actually sound spoken, not just written. And then I start accenting them in strange ways, to see if they'd be better if they were slightly changed. Me sitting at my desk, staring intently at my screen, whispering "Korog. Koróg. Kórog. Korok." - thaaaat's freaky. And indeed, my characters do whateeeeever they want, and my plot just goes every which way it feels like. Seriously. Evil minions turn up, and I'm as shocked as my characters are. I think it's hilarious. (Also, it's a nice way to check myself from writing dull stuff, because if I'm bored with the "movie" rolling in my head, then I need to take it in another direction!).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Angelynx — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:35:42 -0500

Not only do you have Ciel for your avatar, but you also used the word "whilst". Here is your long-stemmed ASCII rose of wonderfulness. ---<---<--@

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

witchykristy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:17:31 -0500

:D I do it too :x And ooft same here. I mean, I just added a character and I was all like "Oh wow, shes so pretty for a fifteen year old!" But then she turns around and says "My name is Tanya and I'm 33" and Rose describes her as "having wrinkles and a torn up face full of worts and moles" o.e I'm worried. xD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

witchykristy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:47:07 -0500

I did indeedly write more than 3. But I got mad with my poor writing and deleted them all T_T

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kaserl — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:26:34 -0500

I abbrieviate(no clue if I spelled that right) longer words when I'm texting, like Bio instead of Biology, but I do that when I'm talking too.... I never use lol or ya or those types of things. The most textspeak I'll use (mostly on Google Chat) is brb, because be right back does take a while to type, and everyone knows what it means.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:25:54 -0500

^^ THIS. Exactly. Yes, I write....a lot. Yes, I love english. NO, i'm not an english major, NO i'm not going to be a professional writer! They don't understand.... *shakes head* (i love your avatar, by the way!)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JoAnn Doud — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:06:50 -0500

[quote=zeuslover1] Oh, actual conversation: Brother: "Can I use the computer?" Mom: "No, your sister is using it." Brother: "She can use it later." Mom: "No, this is...November...she has to have it. It's only for a month, let it go." Brother: "Why does she have to have it?" Mom: "It's her NaNoWhatever thing, just let her have it." My mom was being all serious, like, -you take that computer away from her and she will go insane.- It was quite funny. My parents have now learned that in November I am antisocial and my room is where the computer lives. Of course, I did mention that I do write in other months, it's just not as...competitive. [/quote] I quite enjoyed that. :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:41:19 -0500

Exactly my problem. My grandma asked me just today when my 2010 NaNo novel was going to be published. I said "Hold your horses, I need to rewrite it first, I've still only got the raw version" and she went "Oh, I don't understand why you people keep writing the same thing over and over again!" I just told her I gave up. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

witchykristy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:15:23 -0500

omg lol xD Yeah I wrote 5,000 in one night... and my aunt writes books for a living... and usually writes a maximum of 10,000 a day if she starts at 5 am and ends at like, 10pm. Shes slooooow.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

britainsact1231 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:56:02 -0500

5,000 for me in a night would be awesome! I don't have the patience for it, though. I think it's funny how he thought that because he could write 3,000 in one night that writing 50,000 in a night wouldn't be that hard. He needs to try that sometime and see how it goes for him.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kuzts_Writer — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:21:42 -0500

People are always asking me how many pages is 50,000 words. My usual response is "depends on the format" Because the page count can be anywhere from 100 pages to over 300 pages depend on how big the page and font size is.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:18:09 -0500

Uggggghhh! -_- I hear you on this one! I mean, I like talking about school and everything (she works at my university so it's kind of a given that we're going to talk about uni stuff), but when I want to talk about my novel, I want to talk about my novel. I don't even talk about it often, yet I always feel like she gets annoyed when I do. Even though she's generally really supportive. I just don't think she completely understands how my novel can be and is just as important to me as my education/career, even though she says she does.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:59:54 -0500

I have never in my life finished a novel that I outlined first. It takes all the fun out of it. I managed to finish a novella that I mapped out the last few plot points of when I was almost done, but, well, I was almost done when I did that. I generally know where I'm going, but this time I don't even have that. If the characters shut up on me, I would be stuck.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:31:41 -0500

NOO! I hate it when people are like that. Fanfiction IS creative. In my opinion, it's actually HARDER. You have to take an already made character/setting, get inside of it, and THEN write it. When you write normal fiction, you can just say "oh, well, lets just make it so this happens." in fanfiction, you CAN'T Don't let anyone tell you that fanfiction isn't creative. You aren't boring. They are.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kaserl — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:38:19 -0500

Ok... wait... are you talking about Warriors as in Erin Hunter? OHMYGOSH YOU'RE THE BEST!!!! I only know two other people who like Warriors and Harry Potter, don't judge. And no, those two other people aren't also my two closest friends.... Of course not.....

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:26:07 -0500

Over the years, I've learned that "friends" who don't accept the fact that you have different, equally valid interests are really not worth keeping around. Personally, writing is such a huge part of my life that if you think writing is "lame" or can't deal with me not being able to hang out one night because I need to work on my story, I'm honestly just not going to bother with you. Please talk to your friend about this if you haven't already, because that's actually not cool. If she keeps it up, if I were you, I'd kick that "friend" to the curb and surround myself with people who accept me for who I am. Real friends do.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dripping_Melody — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:48:33 -0500

Oh wait, then again, I did procrastinate a lot probably.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:34:01 -0500

This... GAH! It makes me SO angry! Especially because I draw and play music too, so I meet a LOT of people who feel like this. WHY is writing not an art? HOW are you better than me because I use words and you use colours?! I think most visual artists and musicians think that writing is 'too easy'.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

whitedove — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:19:44 -0500

I've read that most publishing houses use 250 words a page as a standard (yes, I am using 750words as a reference) so that would make 50000 words about 200 pages standard paperback format. Of course, you can always tell them "Longer than the Great Gatsby." :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:58:31 -0500

[quote=Airen Rin] I was once told that I wasn't a writer because I didn't bring a pencil (I brought a pen on that occasion). On another occasion, I was also told that since I didn't have a professional looking pen, I wasn't a writer. [/quote] LOL! I can't even imagine someone who thinks you need a professional looking pen to be a writer.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:15:52 -0500

Not that those are the best example of writing. They are like the newer warrior books. They have now become about quantity not quality! (this is good for NaNo, not good for published works.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Airen Rin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:42:42 -0500

The only reason why he got away with it was because he was my brother. But I stopped lending him pens/pencils even if I had any. Now he goes, 'why don't you have a pen, I thought you're a writer.'

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

JoAnn Doud — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:20:42 -0500

[quote=Christina Huling] [quote=Airen Rin] I was once told that I wasn't a writer because I didn't bring a pencil (I brought a pen on that occasion). On another occasion, I was also told that since I didn't have a professional looking pen, I wasn't a writer. [/quote] LOL! I can't even imagine someone who thinks you need a professional looking pen to be a writer. [/quote] Me either! My first poems were written with a pen that had feathers trailing off the end. :p

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dani Marchand — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:22:24 -0500

I think that's because almost anyone who has taken high school English classes can write a well-crafted sentence or two if necessary, and so much of our daily communication is done through writing, but few people can pick up a pencil and draw something that looks remotely like what we want it to look like. We've all written research papers, but we haven't all painted pictures or composed songs. However, that is miserably flawed logic. Creative writing is not about spelling and grammar, which can be learned with a few lessons. It is about conveying an entire story, a whole world of people and their experiences, through writing. That can be learned too, but not without drive, motivation, years of experience, and pages of practice. Just like any other art, and just as respectable. There's also the viewpoint that visual art and music take a lot of financial investment for supplies, while writing only requires a computer or pen and paper. But anyone who thinks that makes writing inferior isn't fit to judge art at all.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:33:10 -0500

Yep, I can totally relate to this. I've been working on the same story, with the same characters, for four years - a couple of days without working on it? Right. That right there is enough to onset cranky-writer syndrome. Which is in some cases worse than PMS. I'm not kidding. I need to write, or at least edit, every day. Otherwise my brain cries forever. The end. And yeah... my worst fear? Losing my eyesight. For exactly that reason. Sure, I'd still be able to write (I guess), but it would be so depressing to me not to be able to see and revisit my words on paper.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mei_Mia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:54:03 -0500

heh i like the idea of the sign on the door >.< i might make me one of those... i have one friend who just loves reading whatever i wrote and is always ultra-encouraging and stuff, so I let her read my work... but sometimes i wouldn't mind if someone a little more critical would read it first. i can't work out if she's honestly seriosu about everyinthg being good, or if she's being nice so that i'll let her read another one :/

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Elisabell_angel — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:00:04 -0500

ugh that annoys me so much. I let my guard down after all that work making a short section perfect, show it to my friends and whoever else I choose and ask for honest feedback.. All I can get out of them is "it was great" ... Then even when I ask them more specific questions about the story, they don't say anything.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:03:42 -0500

1.) I know! I'll tell my friend (who isn't a writer) about this character that's really getting on my nerves, and I'll ask them whether I should kill them off or not. I haven't made that mistake ever since then. "But... how is he suposed to get on your nerves?" "Um... because he's being a butthole?" "But he's not real!" "To me he is." Basically they treat me like I'm hearing voices after that. *facepalm* 2.) Who can read it: Close friends? Maybe. Friends? If they're lucky Not-so-close-friends? Not unless I'm in a REALLY good mood about my writing. Peers? Uh-uh. No way. Enemies? Are you serious? (Most) of the popular people at my school? I'd rather go around spreading fake rumors about myself and my writing, because it'll have the same effect. 3.) I've had many a person look at me like I'm weird when I tell them they can't read it and they'll say, "And you complain about OUR dirty minds." *facepalm* I don't even bother explaining it, it just makes things worse. 4.) I might name a character after a friend because they have a cool name (like Raevin), but JUST THE NAME!!! Just because the character has gone through a rough time doesn't mean I'm angry at you. I pretty much never model one after myself, and DEFINITELY do not name one after myself. It just sounds stupid in my mind. 5.) Only, at least as far as I've seen, serious writers can edit it. I've edited people's writing in class, and they'll stare at it. "My writing isn't that bad." Dudes! I'm just editing it like any real writer would edit it!! Seriously! 6.) I love the idea of the sign. My mom always wants me to keep my door open. I sometimes really just need quiet to get ideas in my head during writer's block. I can't have my three brothers running around and goofing off and try to actually get something DECENT out of my time. 7.) I tried explaining my story to someone? I'm not so good at summarizing, even at my own writing, so it took a couple minutes to explain. After I was done, I noticed that she was staring off out the window. I waved my hand in front of her face and she was just all, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't want to listen to a play-by-play and stopped listening." IT'S NOT A PLAY BY PLAY!!! IT'S JUST A RELATIVELY LONG NOVEL? Ok, not that long, but to them ten pages is long. *facepalm* 8.) I really cannot write romance. Even with two of my main characters, it didn't work out well. The problem is, it's essential, so that means practice time. Yes, most of that crappy romance will suck in the beginning. Why are you even reading it in the first place? I only know two actual writers, and one of them really isn't that serious. The other is the one who introduced me to NaNoWriMo in the first place. :3 So, friends of mine? Just don't try to discuss writing by me or you will be either be sorely embarassed or not understood in any way. :3

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mei_Mia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:22:35 -0500

mm. i tell people the story ideas i'm working with, and sooner or later get so caught up in it that they just look at me and go "hold on a moment... so is this real life or still your story? I'm not sure anymore..." O.o

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Mei_Mia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:21:42 -0500

well not quite calenders... but for a vew stories i had extensive timelines drawn out. depends how much time the novel is covering and whether i care how much time it's taking. if it's not totally relevent to the story i'll just jot notes (ie so and so went some where two weeks beore this other thing happened)...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

chinalizard — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:24:20 -0500

I take the approach with explaining writing the way my husband explains his gaming to non-gamers who ask a similar question. "What do you write?" "Dark fantasy/sci-fi. It has unicorns. And vampires." They usually leave me alone after that. XD Sure, it's not a 100% accurate description, and there's obviously a lot more to it than just what I described, but it gives people the answer they are ACTUALLY looking for, and gets them off my back. I can't remember anyone asking if they could read mine yet. I think everyone who knows me is a little scared. ;)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

whitedove — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:39:50 -0500

Yeah, I know how you feel. In fact, the other day my mom asked me about what I was writing for Nanowrimo. "What are you writing about?... Well, what's happened so far?... Does it have a main character?" I, of course, just kept making erm, uh, ah noises the entire time until she changed the subject. But, it seemed to hurt her feelings a little, so I emailed her a short I had finished a decent draft of. Not Nanowrimo, but far more... solidified.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:31:49 -0500

I do that with my art. People never understand when I tell them I'm a manga/fantasy artist so now I just take out my business card, and then they look at it and go "Wow, did you draw the stuff on this?" (I always feel like going "No, I got it off Google, because I'm an artist and that's my business card advertising my artwork." XD) When it comes to my writing, I tend to mumble the name of the genre I'm writing in very vaguely and then pretend I haven't heard anything else they've said. The last time it happened, we had a really inquisitive builder round, and he kept asking what I was writing. Eventually I grunted at him, "Sci-fi. Androids." and ignored him after that. X'D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

IzzyRoxUrSox14 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:04:20 -0500

same here XD "What are you writing? What's it about?" "A war. There's a lot of blood, violence, the dark stuff." That usually gets them to change the subject awkwardly...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:45:16 -0500

HAHAHA! Yes. This one. Thank you. Mom: "Don't you think it would be easier if [MC] was a girl?" [referring, surprisingly, not to the fact that his main love interest is a dude (he's bisexual), but rather that he's kind of emotional and dramatic for a guy] Me: "Uh, no. He has a mental disorder that puts his emotions on overdrive - that doesn't make him a chick." Plus, as if I could just *magically* make him a girl. LOL. He's a dude, deal with it. Sorry he's not cookie-cutter-macho.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

cleobourne — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:54:44 -0500

Oh I have also gotten this gem from him just now. "So, your not going to be writing on thanksgivng are you?" Ummmm well that depends. "On what?" "On if you catch me or not."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

cleobourne — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:11:01 -0500

A great little reminder just came on my playlist. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World. Keeps a lot in perspective!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

winx788 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:13:58 -0500

Same for me. My MC is named Meghan, but I can NOT name her Megan. It has to have an H. I don't know why.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

FICEM — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:27:14 -0500

Ahh, I just had to say, yes, I think there's something about Times New Roman that I inexplicably dislike - even from very young! It was almost the laziest option. I was once recommended a book and said 'hmm.. but it's in Times New Roman, I'm not so sure' and was thoroughly told off (by a mother).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Natnie — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:42:44 -0500

You have that font hatred in common with designers, of which I am one!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Chestergirl28 — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:38:00 -0500

My teacher makes us do everything in TNR. I hate it! It's so dull. I used Calibri for my novel. Which is ironic, because it's pretty dull too. I just thing there's something too... official, and "proper" and standardized about TNR.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:09:33 -0500

Exactly! When my mum read my 2010 novel I asked her for honest brutal feedback for the rewrite. And she just looked at me blankly and went "It's good. I liked it. Why do you need to rewrite it?" With much exasperation I explained about the plot holes and the typos and the general lack of sense in some areas of the novel, and after all that she just went, "Well, I think it's good the way it is. Why don't you publish it now?" ASDFGHJKL >8U

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

PeverellSister — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:50:54 -0500

I love your avatar! To it, I respond: "Of course. They're all in your head. But why on earth should that mean that they're not real?" <3 Albus Dumbledore Sorry, just had to throw that out there. ;)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Syri_Rey4711 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 02:01:03 -0500

THIS. I bring a messenger bag everywhere with all of my story notebooks and at least two pencils--and a sharpener. During NaNo, it comes to school with me. Along with my backpack. So I look like a crazy person, walking through the halls with two bags on. What they don't understand is that I have all those notebooks with me all the time anyway, in my regular backpack, and during NaNo I just keep them in the messenger bag, so I don't have to move them back and forth like usual. Can't be anywhere without my notebooks. Like Prudence Fang said, it's like being naked. Only for me it's like being naked, covered in ants, and on fire. Yeah. Exactly like that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kaserl — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:36:59 -0500

No worries, it is so true. Also, "Give her h*** from us, Peeves." I wish that was in the movie.....

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:49:18 -0500

Actually, keeping your writing from everyone but those closest to is very understable. After all, they are the ones that it would hurt the most to be criticized by, and also the ones who can give you tons of grief if they want to.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Another Anonymous Person — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:43:19 -0500

True that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:26:57 -0500

Yeah, I'm fine with some of my friends reading it, especially those who also like to write. Family? Uh-uh. I either will minimize it and my brothers normally don't bother me because it's a word document and they think it's boring. But most of the time I save what I have, and delete it. Most of my actually decent, has gotten somewhere writing is saved on my thumbdrive, where I don't have the risk of people deciding to read my writing whenever. Very sad. And seriously. Hello? People? Just because I like writing creatively does NOT mean that I like writing essays for my classes. No, I will not write your essays for you because 'I like to write' and you hate to. >.> Then they call me 'selfish' because they think I'm worried that their writing might seem better than mine. Seriously? I will never understand nonwriters. ._.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms.mercy — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:43:51 -0500

Hahaha, oh boy, that first one. I have three people hassling me to hurry up and finish writing and editing my novel so they can read it. They ask if it's done yet at least once every week.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:28:30 -0500

My mom is similar and I continue to have to explain to her that it's a process. Then I freak her out with "Sometimes I have to make my characters fall in love, Sometimes I have to kill them off in a tragic bowling accident."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Natnie — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:06:43 -0500

Yyyyyep.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

ms.mercy — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:44:20 -0500

This exact conversation. Also, killer icon ;D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

RobertLent — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:23:55 -0500

Asking to read a first draft is like asking to taste raw bread dough. The finished product is going to be a lot better.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Yomandude — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:21:46 -0500

Oh my goodness, this to the seventh power.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

selenehekate — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:09:47 -0500

Yes! Thank you! I told my mom I wanted to write for a living so that she'd replace my broken computer, and now all she does is tell EVERYONE she meets! I don't WANT my dry-cleaner to know that I like to write, dammit!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tune_ — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:59:34 -0500

People do that to me all the time. -_____- Them: "Hey, what'cha doing?" Me: "Writing..." Them: "Mr. Soandso is horrible, isn't he?" Me: "I don't have English this semester." Them: "... So it's the summer assignment, then." Me: *sigh* "Na, I just like writing." Them: *~shock~* People can't understand that being a ~writer~ means that you... oh, I don't know... *write*? Presumably just for fun, too. I know that's what I do; I write when there's nothing good on tv, when the internet gets boring, when my family isn't doing anything entertaining, or when I just feel like it. I personally can't understand how a person could sit around all day and do nothing productive with that brain of theirs. Hmmm. Maybe writers just don't seem to understand anything about non-writers. After all, we are a minority. To the outside we're all freaks who are out looking for attention. Maybe they honestly have something better to do with their time, but we will never acknowledge that because we're too obsessed with character development and sentence structure. xD On an end note, all I have to say is that most people never learned the phrase, "Live and let live."

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

writingismydrug — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:35:00 -0500

*GASP* I'm a minority?!?!?! Sorry, I felt like this was a perfect time to overeact and be very drmatic.... Anyways, maybe it IS us. Then again, I talk with a lot of nonwriters because I don't live around a lot of writers, and they're always talking about being bored and things. I sometimes wonder if they actually do anything. But maybe that's just what nonwriters do. Hmmmmmmm.....

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:20:28 -0500

*shockhorror* In what way are we looking for attention! Writing is such an introspective thing. Anyway, if you're out to attention-seek, you'd better pick a different hobby. Would you recognize Brad Pitt if you walked by him on the street? Yup. JK Rowling? Maybe but I doubt it. Jim Butcher, Ian Rankin, Brandon Sanderson? Nope. Of course, the way I do it is probably attention seeking BUT I'm a minority. Seems like most people on this website don't like to talk about their writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

rehtse — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:45:06 -0500

Exactly, but you know they may not judge you to much. I say if you are going to let them read something don't make it completely different, maybe just a little milder. Back in high school I wrote this short story that was very dark humour and at the end of the year I put it in the class anthology. Anyways my dad wanted to read it. I was like...um okay... So anyways he read it and he looked at me after and said "I never thought you'd write anything like that but it was excellent." Anyways long story short I thought he would hate it and tell me it was terrible etc etc but he didn't. I still don't share my writing with my parents but I know that my father respects my decisions on what to write about.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

crazygirl9310 — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:21:29 -0500

My dad has not once made that assumption, and I think that's because he's always know what I've writen...to a certain degree. When I was writing my first novel he actually sat down with me and helped me work through plot holes and outline and edit. Yeah, he was honest when an idea sucked, but it was always framed with the words "You have so much potential" which always made me feel better. He knew a lot about a few of my short stories, he knew a bit about my first nano novel (last year). My only problem is that I know he will never approve of this year's novel and this is the one he wants to read. I've said no, and I've been able to postpone him until I've got several edits under my belt, but I don't know how long I can keep that up, especially when I'm ready to publish and need his help setting up my website. I think the only real plan I have is to finish my other curent project which is about a religious war, and pass that off as my nano novel.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tune_ — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:58:38 -0500

Minorities, I knoww. D: Sad sad saaad. Anyways... I live around mostly non writers. The only person I know that is a writer is my best friend, and we have never read the other ones work. Well, excluding the word wars and prompts, but that's a different story. c: I do believe that non writers spend most of their time being bored; my family and friends do complain about that a lot. I just want to scream at them, "Then why don't you *do* something??" B| It often seems like non writers do nothing with their time besides sitting around being bored (then complaining about it). They just haven't learned that writing isn't strictly essays and paperwork. Now that's sad.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

writingismydrug — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:43:27 -0500

My friends complain about writing 5 aragraph essays and I come to school and I'm like, 'I pick my teeth with five paragraph essays!' But they always complain about being bored! it's annoying! I think they have fun by complaining about being bored! And when they see me writing they're like, 'Hey, can I read it?' And I just want to ask if I can sit iver their shoulder and critize their games that they play. I hate when people are like, 'You should do THIS with your story' or, 'This is what I think should happen next.' It's the most annoying thing. Now I'm ranting, but still.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cynthus — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:02:38 -0500

I have the same problem Iago. Or they might say that I should write happier stories (many times my stories border on horror and supernatural). Cyn

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:30:22 -0500

I got exactly the same. XD We had builders round a while back and I was in the kitchen writing, and when one of them asked what I was doing and I said I was writing a novel, he said "Oh, so you're hoping to be the next JK Rowling and make lots of money are you?" If I wanted to make lots of money, I wouldn't be a writer and artist. =P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:11:33 -0500

She's definately a rare case. First billionaire author in history!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

alannathelioness — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:11:08 -0500

oh, LOL. *headdesk* this is what happens when I just take a break to look through a forum. I mean, really? "a sirius writer" <--that is my novel coming out in real life.... :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

AnnEliseMonte — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:05:59 -0500

I thought you did that on purpose :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:27:19 -0500

YAY I'm not alone 8'D

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:24:59 -0500

Um... Have you looked at your word count? You're a writer. In the words of one of the writing books I had out of the library once, "A real writer is someone who really writes." Congratulations! You're a real writer!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Magpie Ilya — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:12:58 -0500

When I watched the movie, I swear the entire theater (me included) muttered that line! Awesome moment! ('course, watching it in English in a German-speaking country, you only get the real nerds.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Dragon Gal — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:35:30 -0500

Hey, Kaserl, I like Warriors (as in Erin Hunter) and Harry Potter, too! Admittedly, I'm not up to date on the former, but still!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:40:14 -0500

Facenotebook? Never heard that before, but I'm using it now, because I tend not to have a desk handy for *headdesk*.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:53:33 -0500

Yeah, that's what I'm told, but I don't really agree. I think if someone has a good idea, they don't need to read eight books in order to make sure it fits properly in the genre. I don't see the need to even classify my novels into genres while I'm writing the first drafts. I just write the story like I see it in my head, and the genre usually doesn't come until later. And even then, I don't necessarily want my books to strictly fit one genre. My work tends to be a little out of the box and that's how I like it. If it's going to make it harder for me to get published, I can deal with that. :) I don't see the need for all this reading in order to write my own stories - if there's a story in my head, that's what I'm going to write, and reading four or five books isn't going to change that. Research for the actual content of the novel, to me, is far more important. I'm also not a huge fan of reading fiction in general (I like it, but it's not, like, my passion in life), and I don't see how I should "have" to love reading in order to want to write when I've been writing all this time, have been told that my stories and characters are intriguing and original, and am myself proud of my work. There are a lot of things I need to improve on, but I firmly believe the quantity of books I read is not one of them. I'd rather have an original book than the perfect fit for genre A or B. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but that's honestly how I feel.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:14:33 -0500

So... basically they have no clue what they're talking about? People who don't write seem to have some really strong ideas about writing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:50:10 -0500

I told them I get a PDF cerificate that i could rub in their faces, but then I didn't win so I told them I got a lot of work done.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Tooterfish — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:02:39 -0500

I'm a Chemical Engineering major! I love science but I have an uncontrollable urge to tell stories. I think that's why I stick to SF.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:24:53 -0500

Ohhhh man, this is kind of OT, but I love me some physics. I love it SO MUCH. I'm not a physics major because my interest in psychiatry overwhelms everything else ever (except writing), but... if psychiatrists magically stopped existing tomorrow, I'd pretty much be going straight to the physics department. Best subject ever.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Carpe Verba — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:53:45 -0500

Ha! I'm a chem major for teaching. I feel like if I made writing my job, I'd lose the thrill in the deadline. As a hobby, it's still a release.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Deps — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:24:00 -0500

Oh I'm like this. I'm writing about squires so I put a flat ban on any medieval books until it was done (A year and a half and my favourite authors all write medieval). "Why? If they are fresh in your mind you're less likely to take their plots." "It doesn't work like that. My inspiration gets lazy and pretends it's all its idea." "...why are you talking like 'inspiration' is the same as 'agent'?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:28:26 -0500

That's funny - I'm totally the opposite for your last one. I NEED to have something going on in the background when I'm writing. Music/movie/TV... I don't care, but I CAN'T write in silence. I have a couple of go-to movies I put on when I'm in an inspirational rut, and it's like flipping a switch. I'm right back at it. Sometimes my mom turns off the TV when I'm writing/doing schoolwork on my computer (I'm the same way with homework and projects) and I'm like, "CAN YOU TURN IT ON PLEASE?" T_T

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:23:31 -0500

Well, both of those comments were from writers, that's the scary thing! XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:29:16 -0500

I get that problem a lot. xD Even if I happen to write a bit of dialogue they don't like, they're just like "Erm, no, sorry, I wouldn't say that. Take it out. TAKE IT OUT I SAID." until I do what I'm told. X'D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:55:53 -0500

Agreed. If I'm asked that, I ask, "How would you feel if someone named after you brutally murdered somebody?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:53:30 -0500

Lol, alright. Well, they can go right on and be as uptight as they want. Their loss. NaNo's fun.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Christina Huling — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:31:20 -0500

Off-topic, but I once ruined a perfectly good batch of cookie dough by baking it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:45:41 -0500

Ugh, I hate people like that. >_> I used to have a boyfriend who tried to tell me what to wear - we were both goths at the time, but he didn't like certain things I wore for some reason, and needless to say we broke up not long after because I didn't listen to him. XD But he had no interest in writing/drawing AT ALL, and if he had even dared to try to tell me to stop, I think I would have ripped his head off. =P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:40:33 -0500

I think i may use it too. Very usefull like *rollseyes* and *facepalm*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:44:29 -0500

Besides most people don't seem to understand that the whole point of Nano is to see what you can create and later revise.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Kaserl — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:14:09 -0500

Lucky! I didn't become a Harry Potter fan until some point in 2008 or 2009, so I missed it. By a lot. But at the part with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix..... The entire theater started screaming and cheering.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Red Queen — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:31:37 -0500

Dammit, they write literary fiction, that's the term I was looking for... I shouldn't browse the forums while I'm working on a story... renders me kinda dumb sometimes^^

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

A.L. More — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:25:56 -0500

I work in a lawyer's office. As much as I love law in general, I see the amount of work the lawyers in my office do (especially our new junior lawyer... he works late every weeknight) and I just wouldn't be able to handle it. I'll stick with making their jobs easier.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:16:33 -0500

[quote=stargatetribe] Today my friend admitted to me that when I preface a sentance with "Because I'm a writer" I come off as arrogant and show-offy. This buddy of mine and I have a lot of conversations about television and I often have some opinions that I think are formed because of the fact my brain is wired like a writer, where his definitely isn't. Most of these opinions are about relationships, like families or friends and their dynamics, so when I say "Because I'm a writer this and this and this" then what I mean is that "Because I like playing around with character development and psychology this is what I think is happening". I tried to explain it to him but he just couldn't get it out of his head that I was trying to make myself sound more important than him because I write. Sigh. Non-writer people just don't get it. .....Then again..... ......maybe it's just me. [/quote] I can sooort of see how that comes off as arrogant. I mean........since I was a little kid...I was baby sitting, taking care of kids. Now do I have any of my own? No I do not....but that doesn't mean I appreciate parents always trying to tell me "YOU DONT HAVE KIDS!!! YOU DONT GET IT!!!!" whenever they want to justify a point. It pisses me off to no end. I have worked to taken care of, sat for days in a hospital changed diapers, fed, played. Attended every sports game, been to a meeting. Got called for help for more than ten years now...so I think I know a little about being a "parent" and taking care of kids. In that sense, you saying "I'm writer" could come off as smug. I get you aren't TRYING to say it that way as you explained but I definitely see where he could get that impression. On the other hand, I am so irritated when friends or family hassle me and basically whine "You spent a whoooole twenty minutes! can't you just turn out A plus 1800 word stuff in ten?" Uh no I bleeping cannot. Writing is an ART, you can't slap together a painting, you can't just act out a play with no script and you cannot just "WRITE" good material at the snap of a finger.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

dancer_kirsten — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:24:05 -0500

I let myself read my book. I'm not nobody. *insert pouty lips*

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Deps — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:31:43 -0500

Because no sane people would be up at 5am if they were sleeping in a nice cozy bed beforehand >.<. Also it breaks the role you were on. Which I am guessing is your read :P

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:04:32 -0500

One of my friends once got really weird looks from buying a baby name book in a shop. =P I bought one too once and felt the urge to go "I'm a writer! 8'D" when I got to the till. The sales assistant was just like "... OK... o_o"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:48:21 -0500

This. I was annoyed about a character needing to die but I couldn't change it without breaking the plot. Non-writers tend to think you can fiddle with things like that anyway.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:32:17 -0500

One of my closest friends is actually NOT speaking to me right now over the fact that I will not bring back to life characters who have died before the story even starts -_- and have killed off people even though I REPEATEDLY mentioned some would die. I love my characters and yes, even I get emotional sometimes when I write farewell scenes or bad stuff happens to them....but even in MYSTICAL fantasy stories...there needs to be laws! The good guys cannot be called good guys then abuse their powers the way the bad ones do, if they do...........they aren't good. And to be fair, I respect an author who will do something terrible and not undo it (ergo: Authors who make up some bs about rapes not taking place when they did. I actually read a story where this happened and I was like "$#$@# are you serious? don't insult my intelligence!!!) then people who use "shock value" then pull a soap opera twist "Oh it was their 56,000th clone that got killed, NOT the actual person" No, they died, they're dead. You cannot have wars and have no one die...it isn't realistic.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:58:18 -0500

I find it such a shame when people's parents don't even know they write. D: My mum hasn't got the slightest interesting in writing and doesn't read many books, but she reads all my finished novels and is always encouraging me to work hard on them. You should try to explain how passionate about it you are! :D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:39:55 -0500

Offer to name a Red Shirt after them. That should dissuade them. If not, go ahead and name a Red Shirt after them. Red Shirts exist to die by the end of the scene, so they can have their narcissism satisfied without disrupting your plot. Seriously, though, how full of yourself do you have to be to ask a writer to base a character on you? And WE'RE supposed to be the narcissists?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:59:12 -0500

Exactly! I'm just telling their story, and if I don't tell it right, I get verbally beaten by my characters. X'D

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

bobo_the_bard — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:47:17 -0500

Yes! People just don't seem to get that Authors will write the POV of the character, not themselves, and that if you want the Author's real opinion on something, then ask them in real life, unless the Author specifically states that they share certain beliefs with a character. Otherwise, they could very well be writing the exact opposite of what they believe, and you'd never know.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

kittenn1011 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:05:06 -0500

This. So much. I'm writing in third person omniscient and my narrator is very much another separate character who interacts with the story very differently than I would in their position (writing a book where characters suddenly get a mind of their own and actually realize they're fictional and decide to overthrow her). My friends were initially confused that I spoke in third person when talking about narrating the story and first when talking about what I want to make happen. At one point, I even complained about something in her writing style that I would never do, but I needed it there to drive the character that can hear her insane.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

BloodRoseAngel — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:26:22 -0500

I had this problem with my family yesterday. XD Everyone met up for Boxing Day and apparently decided it was a good idea to start all asking me about my novel at once. And my uncle asked how many pages I'd written yesterday, and then how many my last novel was, and I had to explain that pages on Word are about twice the length of the average paperback page so I wasn't sure, and it wasn't a definitive answer anyway. I only know how many words I write. XD

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

tyburn_cross — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:01:42 -0500

Some characters are pretty fully-formed when they come out, others take a little time and coercion to show their full potential. Doctor Burkenhare for example, his mannerisms and talking style was spot on from the beginning (of course his history, family and the reasons for his behaviour were still a mystery at this point). Some people don't quite comprehend what I mean when I tell them about a new development with a character. I think they can't get behind the idea that there are some things that fit in with them, that are part of them that you just don't know yet. For example, Kitty the Librarian - I didn't know when I first started creating her that she would be the ultimate guardian of knowledge, the Keeper of the British Library after it was moved for safekeeping. And I certainly didn't know the *extra* bit about her that will come out in Return To Planet Asbo. It was just a little playing round with dialogue that turned into a surprise of the "Luke, I am your father" scale. It's the same with narrative. You (or at least I) can't just sit down and start scrivenating without knowing where the story's going, who's going to do what, to whom, with what, how many times and whether or not they're going to enjoy it. The full (just about) plot of Return To Planet Asbo has only recently surfaced from my subconscious and it seems decent enough (good enough to go down as (at the moment) proper) I can go for a few scenes or chapters knowing only the basics, but unless I know how it's all going to turn out, I freak out and can't get anywhere. Many people don't understand that in essence, a story is a living thing, an entity that may start going one way then change direction and head off somewhere unexpected. It's like taking a dog with ADHD for a walk. You may start off with the intent of going to the park and end up at the seaside with no idea of what happened inbetween.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Red Queen — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:10:02 -0500

Love your avatar :D Actually, my friends seem to see this as a threat every time I mutter something along the lines of "This would make a great story..." around them...^^

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:31:51 -0500

I saw the she at the end and I could practically feel one of my characters scream, "FEMALE PASTORS!!! WOO!!!!"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:25:36 -0500

BRB, headdesking forever.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:42:10 -0500

I was outside so there was no desk, but I really wanted to do that. and THEN she just said 'Hey, why are you looking at me like that?' urggle.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:41:31 -0500

That would urk me to a point where I'd walk away mentally ranting.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:40:34 -0500

In my last English class, we (my partner who wrote what I told her to and myself) had to write a story about a picture of Hitler kissing a girls hand. My teacher told me that I was being depressing when I killed the girl off. I told her, "I'm being realistic. This is Hitler." so I understand the teachers' misconceptions thing.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lisa.Vail — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:13:51 -0500

I totally get you. I told my Dad about how the MC will lose her memory and consciousness, becoming a shell of her former self. "At your age, shouldn't you be writing romances? Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

maggiep — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:53:18 -0500

I understand. I wrote a story where I knew from the very beginning that the FMC was going to die(its kind of obvious when its based on a headstone). I knew what was gunna happen(for the most part). I had it all figured out. I was ready. Or so I thought. I bawled. And it wasnt just a bawling cuz I was watching a chick flick and the girl dies in her lover's arms bawling. This was like saying goodbye to my own sister. Or even a part of myself. So, you are right, no it's not Just a story. I understand.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

firelight_cinderbrick — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:16:17 -0500

[quote=XVisiEX] "It's just a story why are you crying??" =/ NO it is NOT. When I have been lonely, depressed upset, my stories be they happy, mysterious, sad, angry always comforted me. We bond with these characters, we remain as objective as possible as writers but we live breathe and dream them! We are their friends and fight in battles and we hold them through sad and trying times [/quote] This really is beautiful. It's going into my quote box.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:22:51 -0500

It's the most obvious when you do it in the middle of a conversation. I think I was talking to somebody when I fixed my latest plot hole and I stopped to say "OH MY GOD THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE HER!!!"

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:27:14 -0500

;_; Thank you, I am doing the same as you right now. Scenes are coming to me and I am scribbling them down in my word pad document to keep them safe. There is just something HARD about saying goodbye to a character you poured your blood sweat and tears into. Be it for a month or weeks...or years. You molded this little person in your mind. You watched them grow and went through their best and worst times and now you know the only way you can see them again is to go back over the pages because after a certain point they're just gone. And your remaining characters are left to suffer without a dearly loved friend. =/ I miss you L.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Smartiez101 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:19:30 -0500

exactly. Some people just don't understand that not all of us will work the exact same, and that we have our own systems. We aren't all like on some site whispering and gossiping to each other about how exactly writers should act and exactly WHAT they MUST do in order to be a TRUE and REAL writer.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:54:12 -0500

I'm guessing that writing, to a lot of people, isn't "real" (meaning It Makes Money) work. Which is really, really dumb.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:09:20 -0500

There's a movie being made about three of your books? That's so cool! Even though Hollywood hardly ever gets books right, it's still uber-cool. :) That was a compliment, rest assured. I sometimes insult people when I mean to compliment them. ^////^;

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:04:40 -0500

Oh man, that would piss me off so bad. If someone wasn't fired over that, I would sue.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:27:43 -0500

That's awkward.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Red Queen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:56 -0500

That used to bother me a lot when I was younger. But just recently my mum and I were talking about my writing and how I wanted to participate in a contest that ends in April (I just had heard about it a few hours prior) and she said "I bet you already know what to write about, you always do.". And that's true oO I don't know, she alway blames it on some special talent of sorts, but frankly, I have no idea how I do that. I walk around and it's like I just have to harvest the ideas popping up all around me... The assumption that I can turn each and every one of those ideas into a decent story, on the other hand... well, that's an entirely different matter...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

isabel — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:15:39 -0500

hahaha you sound crazy

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

XVisiEX — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:03:07 -0500

[quote=N.L. LeBlanc] I want to start by saying that generally, I am a very nice person. But there is one way, and one way only, to describe me when it comes to my story and characters. MAMA-BEAR. Once my story is published, and even beforehand, I will stop at nothing to protect my plot and characters. Unless I trust you 100%, you are NOT reading ONE WORD of my four years of blood, sweat and tears - and even those who have have signed a waiver saying they would not infringe on my copyright in any way. I take my author's rights extremely seriously and am prepared to make your life A LIVING HELL if you so much as THINK about stealing my babies. Obviously, people generally don't understand this. I had the following conversation with my best friend of 14 years when I first gave her some chapters of my book to read. Her *signing the waiver*: Would you actually prosecute *me* if I did anything? Me: Yep. I would. Her: But we're best friends. Me: I don't care. My books come first. People just don't understand that yes, I'm sorry, but my intellectual property is more important to me than a friendship. If you care so little about me that you are going to try and ruin one of the most important things in my life, I don't need you and I'm cutting contact with you. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm taking you to court over it. I don't care who you are. I also usually get irrationally pissed off (interiorly, I don't actually lash out at anyone because I know my friends mean well) when friends compare a character in something they're working on to my MC (this happens all the time, too - for some reason, people are usually very intrigued by him, which is why I don't even talk about him to many people outside my family and close friends anymore). I love my MC more than most people I know. He is mine. He's like my little baby. I don't even want to THINK about what I'd do if I ever found out someone used him without my permission. This goes for all my characters, but especially him. No. Just no. Additionally, I fiercely protect anything that contains large parts of my story. My netbook (the only place besides my USB and a paper copy that holds the entire thing) goes EVERYWHERE I go. Everyone's like, "You don't have to bring your bag." - Actually, yes I do. "Leave it here, it's too heavy." - HAVE YOU MET ME? "Do you want me to hold your bag?" - No offence, but no. I'm keeping the bag. Thanks bro. "Sorry, you can't bring a bag in here. You have to leave it at the door." - Cool, then I'm leaving. See ya. My netbook needs to be where I can see it at all times or I will legit have a panic attack. If I HAVE to leave it somewhere (ex. reserving a table at the cafe and I have nothing else with me), my eyes are on it and if you touch it, look at it, or go anywhere near it, prepare to be tackled. tl;dr: I'm an author, and I mean business, and non-writers seriously have no clue. [/quote] This all day. I have only two friends I share with and one opened her mouth. I unleashed all.....vicious....h e double ll on her for it. She also would compare her characters to one of my males which had me going *judgment eyes* uh no. The only thing in common they have is being male. That aside, my character is not two faced, nor is he as immature and selfish as hers is. I worked HARD to come up with distinctive personalties for each character, I pampered them babied them, worked them to the bone and have done nothing but try and improve their stories. If you ruin that for me, prepare to meet a a very painful session.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

thrilleraddict — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:20:54 -0400

You're not crazy, just very protective of your story, characters, etc. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Red Queen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:29:35 -0500

If so, s/he's in good company. I carry a USB drive with all my stories wherever I go, and if someone really needs to use my computer, they have to use a separate user with no access to my data. If that's paranoid, fine :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:07:29 -0500

Uh... YEAH I do. xD I lost my iPod the other day. When I lost said iPod, my first two thoughts were: 1. I really wish it would have been my phone instead. 2. At @#!&ing LEAST it wasn't my USB or my computer OMFGGG. *almost has an anxiety attack* Point is, you are right. I sound extremely crazy (I think I pretty much AM crazy when it comes to my story, lol).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:39:07 -0500

I keep everyhing on dropbox and in an industrial clip board (seriously, it could be run over by a car and nothing woulbe hurt.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CaveatLector — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:33:03 -0500

GASP! A seperate user with no access to personal data! That is brilliant and I'm going to follow that example at once.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:10:31 -0500

Good idea! Personally I'm all set in that area. Because I have TWO LAPTOPS. You can knock yourself out using the one I'm typing this on. You don't touch my netbook unless you are ME, which... I'm somehow pretty sure you're not.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Lisa.Vail — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:54:34 -0500

It was very awkward.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Gemma Knott — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:51:10 -0500

I keep all my files on my iPad... I always have it with me. People ask to use it, or even just try to poke the screen while I'm using it, and I completely freak out. If I actually stretch and let them so much as hold it for a moment, I'll be having a panic attack the entire time. As I attempt to peek over their shoulder and stand behind them "nonchalantly." When I'm asleep, my iPad gets plugged in under my bed. You have to move the bed to access it, which is a bit tricky if I'm asleep on it. The only person I let use it freely is my little bother, because he can't read yet. My bother is actually a good person to share my writing with because he just doesnt care. He'll sit and listen to me talk about it for a bit, until he gets bored. I'm thinking of releasing my novel to my family, but they don't even know I write (besides my little bother, of course). I'm probably going to A finish it, B edit and get it beta-readx1000, and C get a few hard copies through creatspace and give them as xmas presents. And then fly to another country while they read it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

N.L. LeBlanc — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:01:13 -0500

Let's just say my MC is not your typical everyday novel protagonist, which is why I'm pretty sure people generally really like him. I don't talk about specifics about him anymore except to my mom because I've had too many... awkward situations. Yeah. But it's like: Them: "Oh, he's so much like [one of their characters]." Me: "If only you knew how NOT like that he is, hahaha." Like really, chances are he's not a carbon copy of your character. He has a severe mental disorder that I spent THREE YEARS doing research on. People are like "oh, he's got a mental illness? Interesting! That's kind of like X Character in my story." Then they talk about how "messed up" their character is (usually typical Hollywood glamour-psycho stuff) and go into details and I'm just smiling and nodding while thinking to myself, "Ohhhhh man, you don't even KNOW." To offer a concrete example, he gets compared to "emo" characters a lot. He's not emo. Not even close. He had like a two-year phase where he wore a lot of Hot Topic because he has identity issues and was trying to attach as many labels to himself as possible, but aside from that, he doesn't dress like an "emo kid" and he certainly doesn't act like one. He's more the "Whatever. Feelings are STUPID" type than the "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah I have so much ANGST" *writes poetry including the word crimson* type. Even though he has a lot of angst and an almost ridiculous amount of feelings about everything ever. Yet just because he has a mental disorder people tend to stick him into the "emo kid" category. BRO IT DOESN'T LEGIT WORK THAT WAY. Drives me nuuuuutssss... Something I also get, which makes me half-flattered and half-uncomfortable: "This song/movie/character/thing reminded me of your character." Except when it's coming from my mom, because for some reason it's epic when she does it. I don't know. Maybe I'm just weird.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Gemma Knott — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:52:04 -0500

And yes, I spelt brother that way on purpose.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:19:34 -0500

Actually, my grandpa did write a book after he retired. He never got it published--he wrote it longhand and I think he was overwhelmed by the idea of editing it--but he did write a memoir about his first six months in Manhattan. (Yeah, my grandpa retired to New York. I will never get tired of saying that.)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:42:42 -0400

I had that issue for a while where everybody would say that if I didn't major in Creative Writing I'd never be a good writer. Then I read this book on character traits and told them that what makes a writer a writer is having a story that you create and eventually may or may not want to share. Then I said that I was majoring in Psychology and that I'd be completely if they wrote their words down on paper so that I could feed it to them when I'm published.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:20:36 -0500

Whoops. I totally thought you were female-gendered. Sorry about that.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:23:23 -0500

[quote=CalicoRain] I can write an 8- to 10-page research paper for college without batting an eye while a 50k word work of fiction makes me shake in my boots, because I'm striving for a different level of perfection. I've been informed that it should (probably) be the other way around...Writing an academic paper is easy and takes no imagination; you just regurgitate the facts onto the page. Writing fiction takes more skill and the ability to take the reader out of their world and into YOURS. [/quote] YES! THANK YOU! I was beginning to think I was the only one like this. I got weird looks in my one of my college classes the other day because the other students were groaning about a three-page essay, and I told them that a three-page essay was easy. However, when I was told to write a three-to-five page SCRIPT for my theatre appreciation class, I was scared stiff. Thank you. It's nice to know there are others like that. :)

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:23:56 -0500

Ahahaha, yup. Academic papers in my major aren't as easy as regurgitating facts--I'm an English major, so it's a lot of analysis to go with the facts--but when I found out that the "4-6 page" paper we're supposed to do for Shakespeare is actually 750-1000 words, I about laughed out loud. That is easy. And we don't even have to pick through the play for a topic--he assigned a specific one. And then he pushed the due date back a day because it took him so long to put the assignment up. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:26:41 -0500

Yeah, when I was taking a Short Narrative class (before I took the semester off :/ ) I edited the heck out of what was technically supposed to be a "first draft" of the first short story of the class. By the time I handed it in, I was wondering what more I could possibly do with it. Then I dropped the Short Narrative class I got into this semester because we were basically writing something every other week. Dude. That is not enough time to edit our work into something great. Especially when I don't see any time for a second or third draft allotted in the syllabus. Yeah, I was not happy with that class.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CalicoRain — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:47:45 -0500

LOL. No, you're far from alone. I never realized how easy academic papers really were until I was going for my BA and had at least one 5- to 6-page paper with an 8- to 10-page final for every class. (5-week classes) Then I got to my minor and 2- to 3-page papers with a 6- to 8-page final. *pff* Wusses. A friend who's going for her degree in accounting starting joking that I needed to start writing her finals if it was so easy. But she'll never learn if I do that. ;) She's completely miffed that I actually enjoy writing my final. I was terrified last November for my first NaNo. Cannot explain the fear and uncertainty. Writing 50k words in a month seemed like such a daunting task. But pushing myself to finish and seeing that little bar turn purple...I was ready to do it again. Still, the idea of participating in both camps scares me. I think I'd rather do a research paper. >.<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Vespero. — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:38:18 -0500

Solely from reading the beginning of this post or just in general?

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CalicoRain — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:30:24 -0500

Ah. See my major's Psychology so we're regurgitating facts in "our own words" and our analyzing needs to sound like someone else's words. >.<

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:41:15 -0500

In general. Something about your avatar seems feminine to me. Don't know why.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Vespero. — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:30:53 -0500

Very interesting...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:57:38 -0500

Yeah, I wouldn't assume someone was female from their playing a female. I would treat them as female while they were in that role, but I'm female-gendered, and pretty much every time I play a game that has you choose a gender, I pick male.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:48:16 -0500

Yeah, my roommate is trying to get me to write a story about dreams instead of one of my many, many stories about demons. I like the story about dreams, but it would be a short story or a novella at most. I want to write a novel. I'm absolutely sick of starting novels and never finishing them and I want to have one finished by the end of the semester (first draft, not final).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Jenna B. Edwards — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:26:28 -0500

I'm the same way. I've actually been writing the same book for two years. My MC's name has changed like six times and then she had children and then I killed her children. It's ongoing and demanding, but I want to finish this one. P.S. I'm a Ravenclaw too.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Gemma Knott — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:38:10 -0500

Im still on my this year's nano book... Ive got a chapter or two, but im so clingey. I kind of dont really want to be done with my baby! But i do want to finish it. Back to a topic from a while ago, I started writing in the windings font, which types symbols instead of letters. So no one can read over my shoulder. Of course, im traveling and barely anyone around me can read english or what im writing in the first place. But still. Yea know.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:11:16 -0500

I mean can. You CAN be serious about writing just because. They think you can't.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Rubyfruit — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:20:35 -0500

[quote=Itzika] in what reality does "I'm writing a story" mean "I have an assignment"? [/quote] This bit made me laugh a little. Kidding aside, I have no idea what universe "I'm writing a story" means "I have an assignment", but I don't want to be a part of it.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

CalicoRain — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:28:35 -0500

[quote=Garneth_Riparian] When I say I don't intend to publish, or even let a single soul read a single word, don't be offended. It's my private space. If I want to share, I'll let you know. [/quote] This. So this - Writing has always been my escape. That's my little piece of the world that no one can invade. It's my "safe haven" if you will. The family that I keep in contact with and most of my friends understand this, but every now and then I come across "Ooh! You write? Let me read something!" >.< I toy with the idea of being published but, if it never happens, I have fun writing what I do & that's really all that matters to me. If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't bother. ^.^

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Itzika — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:49:27 -0500

The biggest problem I have with my almost-stepdad (my mom's long-term boyfriend who needs to propose already) is that he doesn't understand the signals of "ALONE TIME NOW KAY" that I broadcast. If I'm alone in a room, I probably want to be alone in that room. If I'm alone in a room on the computer, I will get severely pissed if you interrupt me. He does this consistently anyway.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Webgoji — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:12:28 -0500

Yeah, it's no wonder writers are often portrayed as grumpy recluses. You have to get mean just to get people to let you write (not that they want to talk about your plot concept so you can flesh it out better . . . ).

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Cinderpaw — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:46:16 -0400

Yeah, my dad does this all the time, though he does it to everyone else as well. He pulls us away from what we're doing so much that we dread his days off. Thankfully, he only ever wants to either work in the garden or play on the gamecube, so he's more likely to grab one of my siblings for that. ^^;

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:46:54 -0500

Personally, I think you're entitled to say that 50k isn't as big as a lot of people think it is -- but only after you've made 50k.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Caroline11278 — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:55:15 -0500

Yeah, like I know someone who did NaNo and did 70k in the first 3 weeks. To her, 50k would be considered 'easy'. But to someone who won't even write a book report...

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

fuzz — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:24:26 -0400

Lol, I've had a lot of conversations that went something like this: Me (to someone I'm trying transmorgify into a wrimo): Come on. 50k? I promise, it isn't as big as you think. Wrimo fence-sitter: I don't know... Me: Really, you can get there. Irritating Pain in my Backside: 50 thousand words? That's easy. I don't know why you think it's such a big deal. Me: 50K IS A LOT OF WORDS!

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

Caroline11278 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:12:14 -0400

[quote=Telsanasee] my dad told me writers are crazy lol [/quote] We are crazy. Otherwise, our books would be dull, and we wouldn't NaNo.

Re: Things non-writers don't seem to understand about writers/writing

larelmian — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:20:07 -0400

I don't think 50k is that much. But considering how many words I've written over the past 15 years, including eight years of NaNoWriMo, 50k is but a small percentage. And yeah, I can write 50k in a week. By doing absolutely nothing else during that week! By putting in eight to ten hours of writing a day for six days straight. This should only be attempted by an unemployed person in between semesters of school (or done with school) with no social life whatsoever who hates watching television. Yep, that's me. Actually, I think my fastest time was nine days in 2009, and that was just plain brutal. At least my characters had a worse time of it than I did. I slaughtered them. And no, I'm not sadistic or violent just because I torture my little darlings and get pleasure out of it. Actually, torturing characters isn't the goal. Torturing readers is. So maybe I am a little sadistic. XP