I made my first school visit in 1970. Since that time, there have been countless such visits, in classrooms, auditoriums, and these days via Skype. I have been in front of audiences at many, many conferences as well. All venues vary enormously, in both location (every state) and a few countries abroad. Despite the variations, there are certain questions that are almost always asked.
- Where do you get your ideas?
- What is your real name?
- How old are you?
- How long does it take you to write a book?
- Among the books you have written, what is your favorite?
- Does your family help you write your books?
- How much money do you make?
- Do people recognize you when you walk along the street?
- What inspired you to write [name of book]?
- Who is your favorite author? [“Other than yourself?”]
- Of all the books you have read, what is your favorite?
- What was your first book?
- How many books have you written?
- I want to write. What advice would you give me?
- When will you stop writing?
9 thoughts on “Top 15 most frequently asked questions”
Now you have me hungry for answers to all 15 of the most frequently asked questions.
I’ll see if I can do that sometime soon. Thanks for asking, Joe.
My favorite is number 8. I would hope that I would recognize you if I passed you on the street!
And one of the things I like about being a writer is that I am seldom recognized. It’s my books I want recognized, not my face. I send my books out in the world to be public. My face stays here with me and is rather shy.
Oh, I think I would recognize you. But no worries — I too, enjoy my introversion. Should I ever pass you on the street, I’ll just give you a little wave and a smile. And I won’t let on to my daughter that I just passed you — she would for sure run you down and give you the Inquisition! My whole family adores you and your work.
When authors visit my school library, I like to tell students, “Only raise your hand for a question if that proves you have read one of the author’s books.”
Make that “authors.” Geez, I’m tired…
An interesting bit of guidance. I haven’t heard that one before, but it does produce the kind of question writers like to answer.
I Love the book secret school house.i would like to talk to you on a daily bases. I would love to email you.i love that you write book for kids. You Are one of the best writers.i love the secret school house.