Internationally renowned writer Joanne Harris is best known for writing Chocolat (you know, it was a book before that film with Johnny Depp) but today it’s the hashtag #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter that everyone’s talking about. This morning, the writer tweeted the ten things she thinks you should never tell a writer – and twitter exploded. So here’s our favourite 20 things not to say to a writer…
Joanne kicked things off with something all writers have heard.
1. "So, what's your REAL job?" #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Joanne Harris (@Joannechocolat) July 28, 2015
It’s a sentiment that many writers echo.
I really like your work! Will you write for us? Oh, we don't pay #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renireni) July 28, 2015
So you're unemployed?#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— the dead author (@thedeadauthor) July 28, 2015
We don't have a budget, but you'll get great exposure! #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Kirstin Kelley (@KirstinKelley1) July 28, 2015
Some twitter users dwelt on the harsh realities of what happens when someone reads your work.
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter This is what you write? Doesn't it bother you? Did you have a traumatic childhood? You must be disturbed.
— Suffrajette (@JettimusMaximus) July 28, 2015
"I found it a little long." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter pic.twitter.com/aoCFAx8sGz
— Tourism Ireland US (@GoToIrelandUS) July 28, 2015
(Let’s be honest, it is a bit on the hefty side.)
Others tweeted about how ‘easy’ it is to write.
"This is OK for a first draft. This is a first draft, right?" #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Fake Dispatch (@Fake_Dispatch) July 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/gabesingin/status/626040996279812096
"Writing YA is easy, right? I think I should try it. I need some money."#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Ashley Poston (@ashposton) July 28, 2015
3. So, you're self-published? But that's not like…REAL publishing, though. What's Indie? Like the music?#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Nicole L'autore (@NicoleLautore) July 28, 2015
Aw, you write for kids. That must be easy. #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Deb Dudley (@debTWP) July 28, 2015
"I should try and get published in England. It's obviously easier there."
STILL my favourite ever #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Holly Smale (@HolSmale) July 28, 2015
"I'm sure writing it won't take longer than 30 minutes." #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) July 28, 2015
You can proofread and edit your own work then right? #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Leonard A. Wilson Jr (@BlackScholarONL) July 28, 2015
Some people clearly felt more strongly about the hashtag than others.
4. They say everybody has a book in them.
(I'll put a book in you. Right up your… Ahem.)
— Gerard Brennan (@gerardbrennan) July 28, 2015
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter "Can I be in your next book?"
Sure. In fact YOU are my next book. I'm going to use your skin for the pages.
— Melinda Salisbury (@MESalisbury) July 28, 2015
Then again, some things are just offensive.
"Are your books like Fifty Shades?"#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter
— Emma Adams (@ELAdams12) July 28, 2015
I even came up with a few of my own suggestions…
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter "what do you do all day?"
work 8am-5pm, write freelance for two agencies, blog, creative writing if theres time— daisy (@daisywritesthis) July 28, 2015
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter "you're studying creative writing? what are you going to do with that?"
— daisy (@daisywritesthis) July 28, 2015
We think Troy said it best, though.
#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter is trending? Say whatever you want to me: I'm almost equally irritated by any kind of interaction.
— Troy Blackford (@TBlackford3) July 28, 2015
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