Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: amused
  • Music: Glee, "Don't Stop Believing."

A Traveller's Phrasebook to Writerland, Installment #2.

Hello! We're glad to hear that you've been enjoying your time in Writerland, the native country of the written word. You've seen the writers frolic in the Fields of Verb, boldly venture into the Adjective Woods, and sink like stones in the infamous Editorial Swamp (home of the deadly White-Out Anaconda, capable of swallowing both man and manuscript in a single gulp). Because you have already covered the basic phrasebook of our fair land, we here at the Writerland Tourist Bureau have decided to present you with the advanced course. Thanks to all our contributers.

You Say: "How much did you pay to have that published?"
We Hear: "I know you're not as good as you think you are."

You Say: "Will you introduce me to your agent?"
We Hear: "I am worth more than your professional reputation."

You Say: "I have this really great idea. How about you write it up, and we'll split the profits?"
We Hear: "I would like two orders of radioactive scorpions, one for me, and one for my lawyer."

You Say: "Why do you look so tired? It's not like you have a real job."
We Hear: "I have always wondered what it's like to go for a ride in a wood chipper."

You Say: "You have so much talent. You should be published!"
We Hear: "So stop screwing around already, you little slacker."

You Say: "I promise I won't bother you while you work."
We Hear: "I am the human incarnation of Chinese water-torture, come to punish you for your sins."

You Say: "Which one of these characters is you?"
We Hear: "Either you're an egotist or you need therapy. Which is it?"

You Say: "Which one of these characters is me?"
We Hear: "This question has no right answer. Run for your life."

You Say: "When did this happen to you?"
We Hear: "No matter how much of it I read, deep down, I still believe 'fiction' is just fancy gossip."

You Say: "I got your new book yesterday. When is the next one coming out?"
We Hear: "I do not believe that authors eat, sleep, or socialize. Would you like to hit me with a fire axe?"

You Say: "Didn't they do this plot on an episode of The Twilight Zone?"
We Hear: "Nothing you say will convince me that you didn't steal this, so just admit it."

You Say: "Why did you do that thing in chapter eight? You ruined the series!"
We Hear: "I have more right to my opinions than you have to your art."

You Say: "Did you see that review where they said you murder the English language and eat kittens?"
We Hear: "Since you're already evil, would you like to amputate my arms and legs with your fire axe?"

You Say: "Don't worry about your numbers. You can always get a real job."
We Hear: "No matter what you say, everyone knows you've been goofing off for years."

Please submit any further suggestions for our phrasebook to the Bureau, and have a nice day!
Tags: oh the humanity, silliness, writing
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  • 72 comments

slweippert

June 8 2009, 15:50:13 UTC 8 years ago

You Say: "You have so much talent. You should be published!"

I've gotten this one and it makes me want to beat my head against the wall. What the hell do these people think I'm trying to do?

seanan_mcguire

June 8 2009, 15:59:12 UTC 8 years ago

People don't get it. Take deep breaths, and buy buckets of lye.

jenk

June 8 2009, 18:24:04 UTC 8 years ago

Also, upon handing in a 50-page user's manual: Wow, this is really well-written. Have you ever been published?
Me: I've written other technical manuals and articles.
They say: No, I mean real writing.
I hear: I really want you to punch me now.

seanan_mcguire

June 8 2009, 19:21:38 UTC 8 years ago

A perfectly valid translation filter.

jenk

June 8 2009, 20:30:27 UTC 8 years ago

I've also gotten, "Wow, this is well-written. Why aren't you a tech writer so we can pay you less?" No translation needed on that one....

emberleo

June 8 2009, 20:39:45 UTC 8 years ago

Wait... what?

--Ember--

jenk

June 8 2009, 20:47:58 UTC 8 years ago

I'm a test manager who writes when needed, so I'm paid a test manager salary. But when I'm working weekends to write something that the PM didn't get onto the tech writing calendar? Not the time to suggest re-orging me into the tech writer team complete with salary adjustment.

emberleo

June 8 2009, 20:53:35 UTC 8 years ago

Why would anyone *Ever* think it's okay to compliment somebody by saying "We pay you too much"?

--Ember--

kyburg

June 8 2009, 21:39:19 UTC 8 years ago

It's supposed to be *cute* - as in, you're so ootsy wootsy.

Yeah. That.

dornbeast

June 8 2009, 23:07:41 UTC 8 years ago

The only reasonable response is to tell the person in question what wouldn't get done if you were a tech writer full-time, preferably with a warning that they'd better not have anything to do for the next week except listen to you.

emberleo

June 8 2009, 20:41:00 UTC 8 years ago

Is it more okay to say "You have so much talent, I hope you get published"?

i.e. How do we cheer you on, rather than accuse you of slacking off for not already being there?

--Ember--

slweippert

June 9 2009, 00:25:30 UTC 8 years ago

I like your suggestion better, but that's just me. :)