Pat here: Today the Wenches are discussing a blog by Seth Rogovoy:
What question would you NOT want to be asked by a reader?
From Anne:
I have been asked most of these questions in the past, and most of them I don’t really mind. My usual answer to “Where do you get your ideas?” is “Everywhere,” and I might go on to give a few examples. I’ve also had plenty of people offer to sell me an idea, or the story of their life, and offering me anything from 10% to 50% of the profit to write it. I usually laugh and say, “Sorry, I have too many ideas of my own, thanks. Write it yourself.”
A lot of people ask me “How’s the writing going?” but I only really answer it in any kind of detail if it’s a genuine query from a good writer friend. Even then I might just grimace, or mutter “Slowly.” Mostly I’ll just say, “Fine thanks,” and change the subject. It’s a bit like when people ask you, “How are you?” and you usually respond with something like, “Fine thanks,” and don’t go into the minutiae of your current state of health. It’s a fairly automatic response and most people don’t really want the details — of my health or my writing. It’s just a polite thing to say.
The cheekiest questions I’ve been asked — and I’ve had it several times when I’m giving a writer talk at a library, or somewhere like that, is “How long does it take you to write a book and much money do you make?” Usually the two questions come together and it’s been a man who asked, and I can see his brain ticking over dividing the earnings by the time to come up with a wage. Writing romance being an easy and lucrative gig, obviously.
However my standard answer is “How long is a piece of string?” And then I might go on to explain that some books take longer to write than others and every book earns a different amount, and it changes over time. Once a fellow pushed me on it, and demanded to know what my advance was, and I said, “That’s my business” and when he pushed it further, saying, “Okay then, what’s the usual romance novel advance?” I responded with “How long is a piece of string?” And for the sake of the others in the audience, I explained that many publishers offer no advance and those that do have a wide range of advances, ranging upwards from around $1,000, depending on the author’s popularity and sales record.
From Pat:
Argghhh on all the repetitive questions! I’ve been writing for forty years, so I’ve heard them all so many times that, like Anne, I have standard answers. But I don’t want to discourage readers from asking because—in most instances—they genuinely want to know and to connect with a Real Live Author. So, yes, I’ll tell you what genre I write (all of them), I’ll tell you my advance if you’ll tell me your taxable income, and no, I don’t want to read your book or hear your idea because my agent says there are liability issues. But if you ask me what the theme of my book is. . . I’ll run screaming from the room. I’ve hated that question since Freshman English class. The theme is whatever the reader gets out of it or whatever the teacher decides it is. Authors don’t care. We’re writing stories, tales about people, not themes. So yeah, I might have a minor theme underlying a story, but every romance book does—everyone should love, or at least respect, one another is one of my favorites. But I certainly didn’t write that book to preach about it!
(and hint: we never weary of being asked when our next book is coming out! Mine just popped on to the shelves Tuesday.)
From Nicola:
Nicola here. I think “where do you get your ideas from?” and “how’s the book going?” are the two questions that I am most commonly asked as a writer. I don’t mind the latter but I’m unlikely to give a very full answer unless the question comes from a fellow author whom I know is genuinely interested in the detail of where I’m at with my work in progress. Usually I’ll say “It’s fine/slow/going really well” delete as applicable, and thank the questioner. Similarly, if the first question is raised at a writing workshop or event about historical inspiration or research, then I’ll start talking about historical characters from the footnotes of history, or inspiring castles I’ve visited. Otherwise, it’s a simple: “All kinds of places” sort of reply. Maybe this is why writers get a reputation for being introverts.
Questions I really don’t like include: “How much do you earn?” on the basis that I wouldn’t dream of asking anyone in any other profession this question, and “are your sex scenes based on real life experience?” This last usually happens at dinners or parties where alcohol has weakened some guests’ inhibitions. Or it used to do – I think I’m too old to get asked that any more, thank goodness!
From Christina:
There are quite a few questions that authors don’t want to be asked. The ones I dislike the most are “So how often do you churn out one of those soppy romances?” and “Oh I’ll have a look for your books in the charity shop then next time I go, shall I?” 
First of all, I take issue with the words “churn out”. There is no churning going on of any kind. Writing a novel takes a lot of effort and the process is long and complicated. It’s not a question of just sitting down and bashing it out on your laptop. You have to have the initial idea, do the relevant research (which can take months!), write a credible plot synopsis, develop the characters and then put it all together into a coherent story that will hopefully entertain readers. Sure, there are certain tropes that get used over and over again, but you have to put your own spin on it which isn’t easy. Each book is unique and romance novels do not follow a formula any more than a crime novel, for instance. As for the word “soppy”, yeah, let’s not go there … Romance and love is a part of most people’s lives. If someone thinks that’s soppy then maybe they haven’t experienced it yet.
The charity shop thing? Well, I’m pleased when readers discover my work and that’s one way of doing it. I buy from charity shops myself in order to support them. But authors get absolutely no royalties from books that are sold second-hand so if you want to support an author, their books need to be bought via bookshops or e-book/audiobook retailers. For someone to instantly dismiss my work as only worthy of being bought second hand is not nice. Besides, all our books can be borrowed from libraries for free and authors do actually get paid a little bit for that.
To be fair, most people in an audience ask lovely and sensible questions – these annoying ones are the exception thank goodness!
From Mary Jo:
Most professions attract unwanted questions. Doctors get asked medical questions, lawyers are the targets for legal questions, accountants get tax questions–and writers get questions about writing. When someone asks about how the writing is going, I say it’s like asking about the weather: sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t.
I’m not easily offended and people are understandably curious so I don’t mind (or remember) most questions. If they are aspiring writers, I encourage them because I can’t know who has the talent and drive to be successful. If someone asks about the sex scenes, I just smile blandly and say that I have a good imagination. And occasionally other writers have asked, “How did you get your editor to let you do that?!!”
A writing question I haven’t been asked but would find annoying is some variation on, “I have this great idea for a book. How about if you write it and we split the money?”
No. Just NO! Writers generally don’t lack for ideas; what we usually lack is sufficient time and energy to write them all. My Mayhem Consultant is also a writer. As he says, ideas are everywhere. The trick is recognizing them, and more important, what to do with them.
As to the process of writing, Dorothy Parker said it best when she said, “I like having written.” <g>
From Andrea:
Most of the author questions I get are absolutely fine. I’ve gotten used to the chortles—which come mostly from men—that are added at the end of the standard “How’s the writing going with those bodice rippers you write?” I usually smile and reply that the bodices are never actually ripped, and that the stories are about love and friendship, which seem to me to be rather positive things to strive for in Life. I rarely get any more veiled snideness.
There is however, one that gets my dander up. Occasionally, at a book talk or through a well-meaning friend, I get an unpublished author (whom I’ve never met before) ask if I would read their unpublished manuscript and give them advice on the plot/characters. First of all—I’m not an editor . . .and secondly, simply reading a book would take hours, and it may be a genre which doesn’t resonate with me or of which I have no idea as to the basic tropes. (Note that they haven’t even said what it is they write.) I try to tactfully explain that, but it usually goes over their heads. Often the follow up is “Well, then can you recommend me to your agent. so that he/she can take a look?” Umm, NO! Where to begin with all the things that are obnoxious about that. Why on earth would I recommend someone whose writing I’ve never read? It’s an unwritten rule of the writer world that you don’t do that! Agents are focused on helping their clients navigate a very complex publishing world. Their time is precious and and you don’t abuse that connection by passing on utter strangers to them. One would think that would be obvious, but it’s amazing how clueless—or pushy—some people can be!
What do I want to be asked? I’d rather talk about research, storytelling techniques, publishing, reading, books–anything that brings in more understanding about stories, writing technique, and so on. We’re so willing to share our stories, our love of books and writing, to learn something and teach something. We all want to come away with a good feeling and inspiration as a reader or a writer, or both. Whether it’s a booksigning, a presentation or lecture, a book club meeting in person or online, or just an encounter, when everyone gets something positive out of it, that’s the best. Have you talked with any authors? And now that you’re educated, what questions would you like to ask?
Most of the people I have met who have written books have written a doctoral thesis; the number of readers of those is often in the single digits and the advance usually involved being a teaching or research assistant!
My question (now that I’m educated) would be to ask the author what she/he has lately enjoyed reading. Fortunately, all of you indulge my curiosity at the end of each month.
OK, that was weird. I typed a comment, hit reply, and Firefox disappeared it while checking for security. I will try once more:
That is definitely an intelligent question but one I could not answer if we were at a dinner party because my lamentable memory cannot recall so much as a book title unless the book is sitting on the table in front of me!
The worst question I was ever asked was before I was actually published in book form. I was in the supermarket and encountered the much revered principal of the parochial school I had attended. After exchanging greetings, he asked me what I was doing. I told him that I was working on a romance novel. To which he replied: “You’re not going to be published by Harlequin , are you?” To which I immediately replied, “I certainly hope so!” And I was! I did not give my former principal a copy of that first book. I enjoyed reading all of the Wench posts today. Mamy of them had me feeling a strong sense of deja vu.
!!!!! Ouch. Perhaps more politely phrased than “You aren’t writing that Harlequin trash, are you?” which I have heard. I wish you were still writing!
From an earlier post I learned that some authors like to visit the locations used in their stories (I think it may have been Susanna Kearsley who discussed this). The Wenches often go travelling and share their experiences here. I wonder if this is purely for relaxation and pleasure or like rabbit holes are the travels also a way of looking for new plot locations and novel ideas. Can you think of one of your published stories that originated like this?
Personally I find that it really helps to visit the places I write about because I get background details I can’t find in books. For instance how it smells, how cold the water is in a particular lake, how steep a hill is (and how out of breath I’ll be from climbing it) etc. Sometimes you learn that a certain plot point simply wouldn’t be possible so I always try to visit the settings for my books. If I can’t go myself I have to rely on accounts from other people who have been there.
That’s very interesting Christina. Accurate detail can certainly enhance the reading experience when one is familiar with the location. Visiting a site after enjoying a book can also bring the whole story to life again when the book matches the reality! Such attention to details raises the novel to a higher dimension making it more than just an entertaining story!
Beautiful question!!!!! We probably ought to save it for another AAW. But we usually travel for all of the above. Susanna is a little more dedicated to the research aspect. I’m into collecting ideas as well as verifying research details. My most vivid memory of developing a book idea from travel was when we were traveling in France and I saw this dark, mysterious wood and a child darted out of it. I think that became Silver Enchantress (see above about memory!).
Thanks Patricia. ‘Silver Enchantress’ (July 1988) only seems to be available as a paperback, otherwise I would have had a look. It’s nice to know that all the travelling is reaping dividends for the writing! 🛬
I just recovered the old books but it should be available https://patriciarice.com/books/silver-enchantress/
I’m very very slowly figuring out how to do audio for these giant tomes but I’m not quite there yet.
I’m an exception to this, Quantum. I have envy of all the wench travelling. Since I’m on the other side of the world from where my books are set, I have to do most of my research on line. I have travelled quite extensively in the UK, and Europe, from when we lived in Scotland for a year when I was 7, onward to a number of trips as an adult. But that was before I started writing, and for a setting in a book I want specific, evocative details. It’s a 24 hour plane trip and a lot of money for me to get to the UK and it’s just not practical to pop over for each book.
That said, I did spend some time in North Wales with a friend who was born there and I was able to use some of my memories and photos and diary entries, as well as Google, for a small part of my book, The Spring Bride.
Anne, I think that you manage brilliantly with available resources. The Chance Sisters and Bellaire Gardens series captured the ‘feeling’ of England really well. Thinking to the future, Australian cricket dates back to the early nineteenth century and I would love to read a cricketing romance if you were feeling adventurous. A bit of competition for those American sports romances?
I’ll certainly give it some thought, Quantum. I was brought up by a cricket nut — my dad played for most of his life, and if ever we were driving past a cricket match the car would slow right down until the ball was delivered. And many a long hot car trip was made to the sound of cricket commentary on the radio. As a child I wasn’t much interested in the scores but I loved the various accents, especially the West Indian commentators.
Wow those are some really rude questions you’re asked!! I’m not a writer but I’ve an avid reader and reviewer. I hate being asked, ‘is that a rubbishy romance you’re reading’ !! Honestly, I tell people don’t knock books till you’ve tried them. I’ve learned more from reading over the years than I ever learned at school, (although I left at fifteen) even when I was in the throes of my Mills and Boon days I learned some amount of geography and about life in different countries and cultures because of these books. I’ve heard people say, kindle is great because nobody knows what you’re reading when they can’t see the cover; I never had any problem with this! I’m reading it because I want to, why should I care what anyone else thinks. I read a wide variety of books and it’s my lifeline in this life.
Great post!
A real reader like you knows better than to ask such silly questions about romance! I wish more people would catch on to the immense education we can get simply from reading a story.
Teresa and Pat, I call this “the Puritan Reading Complex,” meaning we can justify our reading by explaining how much we learn from our books. For example, “This book I’m reading explains a lot about contraception methods in the early 19th century!”