Aug72017

7 Side Effects of Being a Full Time Author

I’ve been a full time author for a long time now, and I’ve learned a few things.

Here, Gentle Reader, are some of the side effects of one dubious life choice I made that took me down this path.

1. My spelling is worse than it ever was.

While my typing has gotten faster my accuracy certainly has not. Follow me on social media for the sad consequences of this fact.

2. I have never read that book you think I should have.

New book, old book, whatever the book is that you think I should read because of what I write, or assume I have read because of my genre. I probably haven’t read that book.

3. I know about all the octopuses on the internet.

All of them. All the time. First.

4. My passion for the oxford comma is unbending.

I’m open to wiggle room on other points of grammatical enforcement, but you will pry the oxford comma from my cold dead calloused fingers.

Team Oxford Comma T-Shirt Gail Carriger

5. Cocktail parties are a minefield.

What do you do?
I’m a writer.
What do you write?
Commercial genre fiction.

THEN the conversation inevitably goes horribly wrong, either…

  1. I have to explain genre by using dumb Hollywood examples.
  2. They assume I’m some starving artist type who lives off my tech-bound significant other.
  3. They want to tell me all about the brilliant book they have inside them. (Which is invariably not brilliant and should stay inside, preferably buried with a potted plant on top.)
  4. They want me to write the book of their: life, times, weak imagination.

Godeys Sept 1872

6. I have no sense of time

I never know what day of the week it is and I never know if it’s a national holiday. Ever. The number of times I have gone to the bank and then been confused as to why it’s closed are almost as frequent as the number of times I’ve gotten up and gone into the office, even though it’s Saturday.

7. There is no retirement, there is only writing

No explanation needed.

10 More Installments of Gail talking about publishing?

  1. 10 Things About Publishing This Author Wishes Everyone Knew
  2. 30+ Blogs & Podcasts for Authors
  3. 7 Tips for Getting Over Writer’s Block
  4. What is an author style guide? How about a style sheet?
  5. How to Write (and Not to Write) an Author Bio
  6. The Pros & Cons of Cons
  7. Pen Names, Cover Art & Reader Betrayal
  8. Plot Versus Pace (Why That Book Sucks)
  9. Learn to Let Go of the 10%
  10. Writing Humor

Find my books?

Directly from Me | Amazon | Kobo | Apple | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble | Chapters | Foyles

BOOK DE JOUR

Heroines Journey Gail Carriger free pdf ripped download

  • Tired of the hero’s journey?
  • Frustrated that funny, romantic, and comforting stories aren’t taken seriously?
  • Sad that the books and movies you love never seem to be critically acclaimed, even when they sell like crazy?

The Heroine’s Journey is here to help.

Multiple New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a clear concise analysis of the heroine’s journey, how it differs from the hero’s journey, and how you can use it to improve your writing and your life.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Book News:

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Love Bytes says:

“And if that is how the author treats her secondary characters, you can be damn sure that her protagonists are wonderfully written. They have layers and flaws–some not so obvious on first or second inspection–and grow throughout the book in the way all good characters should.”

Quote of the Day:

The truth about Gail & tea comes out at last

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Posted by Gail Carriger

2 Responses

    1. Gail Carriger said:

      If only everyone felt the same way! It is an ongoing, uphill battle I’m afraid.

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