Annoying Things You Should Never Say to an Author

Though authors love to meet readers, sign their books, and have a nice chat, there are a few subjects we wish never to hear again:

#1---"I've always wanted to write a book!" ( What the author hears: If you can write a book, anybody can. It must be easy! )

#2---Worse yet, #1 is often followed by a long, detailed description of the plot of the book he or she wishes to write!

#3---"What is your book about?" ( In other words, this person is too damn lazy to pick up your book, read the back cover, and thumb through it. ) It's impossible for any author to explain the entire plot of their book in a minute or two!

#4---"You write science fiction? Oh, you mean like Star Wars?" ( Arrgh! There's a whole universe to SF besides Star Wars, which is actually space opera. ) This tells the author you know next to nothing about the genre.

#5---"Hasn't that idea already been done?" ( Again, Arrgh! My book may sound somewhat familiar to you, but I assure you it is unique. )

#6---"Is this one of those never-ending series?" ( No, but series exist only because they have fans who never tire of reading them. Obviously, you are not one of those fans. )

#7--"Who would you cast to play your characters in a movie?" ( Cart-before-the-horse much? ) I wrote a book, not a movie script!

So, if you stop by for a pleasant chat with an author, particularly if you aren't familiar with his/her work, be careful what you say.

That's it for now; keep on reading and never stop writing!

M.R. Tighe