What should you keep in mind when asking a writer for advice?Utsudo is happy to give advice to newcomers, but dislikes people who ask about publishers’ requirements without doing any research, or who immediately demand she read their work and use “making friends” as a way to network. She reminds everyone that no one is born obliged to help you; being polite and respecting each other is what makes the exchange meaningful.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

All kinds of questions writers often get

　　Ever since I debuted, I’ve received questions every now and then.

　　Some ask about royalties, others about which publisher is easiest to get into, and so on. These questions sound a bit utilitarian, but I had the same confusion as a newcomer, so I usually give some advice and a rough range. After all, royalties vary by publisher, by the author’s own situation, and by manuscript, so it’s really hard to answer.

　　Among all kinds of questions, like:

　　“What do you do if you have no inspiration?”

　　“Have you ever been hunted down by an editor?”

　　“Do you get penalized if you miss a deadline?”

　　Some questions are fun and I enjoy answering them, but inevitably I sometimes get off-putting ones — like people who don’t look anything up and ask what the requirements are for getting into such-and-such publisher, or just straight up ask which publisher pays the most.

　　The thing is, their submission guidelines are posted clearly online — something the almighty Google can easily find, yet they come ask me. How lazy can you be…Do you really want to be a novelist??

Acting overly familiar and networking

　　Besides those painfully basic questions, what bothers me most isacting overly familiarandusing people for connections。

　　No “please,” “thank you,” or “may I ask” at all — they immediately demand you read their work, or say “let’s be friends, so I can ask you anything later,” leaving me no room to consider. Basically I just feel offended and pressured.

　　Uh, honestly, what you want issomeone to use, not a friend = =

　　Normally you wouldn’t treat a friend like that!!

　　As a working stiff, I have my own plans. Even in my free time I want to do things that make me happy or hang out with friends — how would I have time to deal with someone who pops out of nowhere and wants me to do this and that? If the tables were turned and someone came to you for help like that, even the most masochistic person wouldn’t be happy, right?

　　Basically I’m quite happy to help others, but I really dislike people who take others’ resources and time for granted. Please remember one thing —I don’t owe you anything, and no one is born obligated to help you — unless they’re your friends or family, and even then, please be grateful for their support.

　　Although I didn’t lose my temper at them on the spot, inside I was really #@!%. Being polite when asking for advice should be common sense, right?

Manners when asking a writer for advice

　　People who know me in real life should understand that I’m happy to give newcomers advice and direction, or share my thoughts to exchange ideas. I write the Ghost Island series precisely to offer newcomers lessons and perspective. But that doesn’t mean I have to help everyone who asks — I’m not that universally benevolent.

　　I only want to help the people I want to help — creators who work earnestly and keep building their dreams even when unsure about the future. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

　　Basically, once you’re out in society, attitude determines everything. Please don’t leave such a terrible impression this way — it does you no good at all.

　　Maybe you can ask your school teachers for advice this way — they’re employed by the school, but I’m not employed by you. You’re welcome to ask, of course, but I hope you’ll keep some manners. Respecting each other and improving together — isn’t that what makes an exchange truly meaningful?

FAQ

Further reading (in Chinese)

• Previous: #77 (in Chinese)
• Next: #79 (in Chinese)
• Start from the beginning: #01 — Utsudo’s debut
• Column introduction
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.

📚 More on this topic: Writing Mindset & a Writer’s Life: Ghost Island Column Guide