I’ve written a few babies in books, at least a couple in each sub-genre.  Kids rarely work in action adventure novels, so the under aged aren’t a consideration in my current work.  

When I did, the child either was a non-speaking infant, or could converse at 5 or 6, and no baby speak.  The under aged, in romance, are often reasons for the story, the conflict.  As a writer, I see children as plot tools.  I did a series for Desire, Wife for Hire and often, there were kids involved.  They were tools to show the characters interacting with children, which for that story, is a moment of judgment.  Children in books don’t compel me to pick them up either, and if an editor didn’t ask for kids in the story, I wouldn’t do it.  I don’t think I’d write teens because 90% of them either irritate or scare the heck out of me.  Don’t get me started on the trampy looking clothes girls wear. 

You know you’re old when your high school fashions come back in style. They were ugly then and haven’t improved.  I noticed the Jackie Kennedy look is in for spring.  Can’t one designer come up with something new that’s non-nostalgic? 

Off topic, I know, but that’s the fun about being the Saturday Babe. 

Let’s see, do I have any bones to pick this week…? 

How about one of the first questions a person asked (yesterday) when they learned I was a writer, was “how do you get paid?”  I replied, “With a check.”

I don’t get why people feel compelled to ask personal questions to a writer.  I haven’t seen them do it to other professions, but I’m sure I’m just missing it.  I’ve been writing long hours lately, so this was my first time out in days.

Or the statement from an 80 year old man…. “I’m a writer too, can you help me get published?” 

I don’t even go there and reply, “I don’t publish the books, I just write them.” 

People seem offended when I don’t jump at the chance help them.  This just tells me you’ve been doodling with writing and will never make a career of it because wanna-bes should wisely learn something about the business and etiquette before you step into publishing world.   

So aside the above, I’ll end with a couple things to never ask a writer…

“I’ve got a great idea for a book.  I’ll tell it, you write it and we’ll split the money.”

Coming up with ideas are easy, writing them into a story is not.

“Give me a copy of your book, I’ll read it.” 

This burns me.   It sounds like they’re doing you a favor and the product I create is not worth going to a store to buy it.  Granted, a book is small and inexpensive, but its my living.  Though … I’m always surprised when I meet someone who’s read my work. 

Have a great weekend and come back on Sunday to meet Beth Ciotta, our new Babe!!!

You're gonna love her!

AMY