That writers effortlessly speak perfect English (or ) even in casual conversation. :-)

That writers love when friends and family ask them about their story in progress, incessantly. What's it about? Is the main character you? It's really you isn't it?

That writers personally know every aspect which involves their characters - say their jobs, their attitudes, their secrets, their likes and dislikes. Even their... ahem... sexual antics.

I find it funny when people seem to believe that once an author is published that they are instantly wealthy.

Congrats again to you Alesia! If I'd won a RITA, I would probably keep a picture in my purse so that people could see as well as hear about my RITA lol.

AMEN.

"Finish the damn book" vibes on their way. ;)

Every character has some part of the writer's personality or that the witty part of your books mean you amuse your friends on a minute-by-minute basis in real life.

re: Myth No. 3. It's actually two weeks out of the year if you count RT. :-)

BTW, you get to say Rita Winner for the rest of your life. Although, I would discourage third person usage such as "The Rita winning author is now going to the grocery store. Is there anything anyone needs?" or "The Rita winning author is going to take a shower now." after the first month.

Eileen

Well, this is kinda lame but

Writers remember every detail about every book they ever write.

Myth about Writers: that we punish characters in our "real" lives by portraying them in an unflattering way in our writing.

If you're not proud of your actions, don't act that way! I'm just sayin' . . .

I once had an acquaintance, upon learning that I’m a writer, ask me if that means I’m a millionaire.

I’m still giggling at that one.

My personal hot button (perhaps a bad choice of expressions) is men who think women authors who write erotica only do it to catch their, personal interest. Not for money or fame or whatever other measly gratification is available, but for that exact man because you think he's hot.

AAAAARGH!

That writers actually write the books ... I don't know about you all, but my characters usually take over and write the story however they damn please. Little buggers ...

That writers make a lot of money! How did that myth even get started?!

And the other myth that comes to mind? That writing a book is EASY.

Rebecca

That the less you know about protocol and the publishing industry, the more likely your manuscript will catch the right person's eye and you will be offered a three-book deal two weeks after you first sent your MS in

The myth that anyone can write great books simply by spending lots of time in front of the keyboard. (You know, the idea of putting 100 monkeys in front of typewriters for 100 years and getting Shakespeare's entire works - or something like that).

Oh!! Jules!!! That is one of my biggest pet peeves in the universe - people who say to me "Yeah, I'd write a book too IF I ONLY HAD THE TIME."
Because creativity or talent or years spent working on craft have NOTHING to do with it, right???
I used to be polite, but now I say, for example, to a brain surgeon:
"Yes, I'm going to do some neurosurgery if I ever have some spare time."

The book they buy is exactly what was written when it left your printer and it only took two weeks or so to write...how long could it take to write a book, anyway?

That upon telling a writer, "Oh you should write my life story, it's just FASCINATING!" we will respond with: "My GOD you're right! Let me drop everything right now to chronicle the trials and tribulations of a soccer mom/office manager/sales associate (pick one or fill in your own) because I'm sure the world will be ENTHRALLED to hear about your kid's tournament/inept filing clerk/monthly quota (you know the drill)"

Jennifer--

I hear that! When I sit down to start a new story, I usually can "see" the first scene and the last in my head. All the stuff in between--that's up to the characters. They are so bossy!

Beth

I remember the first time I was at dinner with (non-writing) friends and "got" that they didn't have people talking in their heads all the time. It was rather a "wow" moment. And they thought I needed to be locked up . . .

Science Boy picked the numbers 7 and 5 in between Sat. a.m. comics, so Amber and Theresa, please email me at alesia@alesiaholliday.com with your mailing addys and I'll get your books in the mail! Thanks, everybody, for playing!

Well, not playing, obviously, but I couldn't let this one go by, but my brother, AKA The Prince of Darkness, asked me, in all seriousness, if I could give him the "number."

When I asked what number, he responded with, "Well, you know, I've got all these stories in my head and I thought that now that you're published, you could give me a phone number or something."

(What? 1-800-PUBLISH ME...)

My response was, "Uh, there IS no magic phone number to call to get published."

Every book contract is for at least a million dollars. Thus the saying, "When I get my million-dollar book deal..."

I've been dealing with the guy whose wife owns the shop across the hall from mine for awhile now. He's in his sixties, and obviously obsessed with one part of a contemporary romance, as you'll understand from the following: "Does it bother you to write soft porn? Don't you think there should be a little *mystery*?"

Let's just say I know his wife. There must be lots of "mystery" at their house, according to her comments.