Three Reasons Not to Discuss Your WIP

What are you writing?

This is a dangerous question to answer! There is absolutely no good that can come of it. “What have you written?” is okay, but never answer “What are you writing?” Why would that be a dangerous question? At least the person is interested, right? Here are three reasons why it is a bad idea.

1. What you’re writing may change. Perhaps the protagonist is initially a man, but later, you feel the role is better suited to a woman. You may think that people are only being polite when they ask and aren’t really paying attention. Guess again! At least one person is listening, and that person will invariably question you about your book. You will have to endure questions such as, “I thought your main character was a man? Why did you change it? “or “Do you really think that was a good idea?”

2. Constant questioning. The person will forever ask you if your work is finished yet or how long it will take. Let’s say you write one book a year. Do you really want to answer this question for an entire year? You have enough pressure!

3. You need time for your ideas to percolate. You need to get to know your characters and the story they have to tell. You don’t need someone else muddying the waters. Write the story you have to right. You’ll have enough battles to fight with the publisher, etc. after the book is written. You don’t need to worry about them before.

I hope you see now why it is dangerous to talk about your book BEFORE it is written. If you simply must talk about it, tell your dog, talk to yourself in the shower or mirror, or talk it out while driving alone in your car. You don’t need the trouble that well-meaning people will give you.

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