Thread: Funny guy

Went to a bookstore, found an interesting book on writing a novel. The name isn't important as the experience.
I laid the book on the counter and the clerk could not believe his eyes.
He laughed, he ask me three times how the book was coming along, that cracked him up without me even answering.
He was still laughing when I left.

When I left I said I was glad I didn't buy an adult magazine from him.

I just laughed it off.

If someone buys acrylic paint would you laugh at them for wanting to paint? If someone buys a camera, do you laugh at them for wanting to take a great picture?

Personally, it was a milestone, it was the first book I had bought in four to five years.

The man was:

A) An idiot, and

B) Unlikely to earn much in commission...

I'm guessing both a+b. He must have a hard time working in a book shop if he laughs at everyone who wants to (gasp) read to learn something.

At least now if you ever have to write a rude, tactless book clerk, you'll have a great model.

Don't let him get to you, you're writing a novel and he works in a shop. I'd say you won.

Maybe he was the author.

:/ does not bode well for content of said book

Nope. I was just wondering -- you know, the whole irony thing.

Maybe once the OP is published and famous, he can post the title of the book -- share the wealth, so to speak.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Nope. I was just wondering -- you know, the whole irony thing.

Maybe once the OP is published and famous, he can post the title of the book -- share the wealth, so to speak.

I just figure, if he is still working there when I get published I will have the last laugh.
While he was laughing I looked back into the store at all the people's work that was laughed at.

I already confronted my fears of being laughed at, He could snuff out someones dream that was still uncertain.

As for the book I bought, I'll have to look at the title, I looked over five or six. So far it has only had information I have found on line, but I am only 1/4 of the way through. (My urge to write and read fantasy keeps me from reading it.)

Well, I'm glad you've confronted your fears. We all have our doubts. I'd hate to think some tool in a bookstore would put anyone off from writing. It's funny, I rarely tell people I'm writing a novel -- one reason is, I'm thinking they're thinking - -- oh yeah right. The other reason is, I really don't like trying to explain what it's about -- although I've honed a relatively concise elevator pitch. Plus, it's taking me forever -- I don't need people asking, is the novel finished yet???

LOL. I like it when they do that. Think about it-they're interested in reading your book (or in making fun of you, but let's ignore that for now).
The further along I get with the current novel, the more I am delighted to tell people about it. That's your issue, not the asking, Joe. The not-done-yet-ness. I have people that email me periodically asking "Are you done yet?" It makes me want to smite them, but I understand.
I betcha the clerk was a failed writer.

Yeah -- I realize it’s my issue – didn’t say or imply otherwise. I’m not faulting them for taking interest or just making conversation.

I’ve been working on it off and on for over four years – that probably seems like a long, long time to most people. So it’s not unreasonable that they might think I’m blowing smoke. Of course, none of that should really matter to me, but I’m somewhat annoyed or maybe a little embarrassed by the question – again, my issue.

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." -Thoreau

Judging by the clerk's snide behavior I'd assume he hasn't dared to fail, or perhaps has grown accustomed to the notion of not trying at all.

It's alright. Many people have tried to write novels and have failed. He can hardly be blamed for seeing himself in you. In fact, if he does see himself in you, it's likely that he doesn't like that about himself, and tries to attack it by laughing. He might not know it, but if you do finish your novel and get it published, he'll probably suddenly stop laughing and really hate you. So don't rub it in his face. It takes a lot of courage to understand and feel bad for someone like this. Much more courage, in fact than to get defensive and rub it in his face.

If you were being honest with yourself, I bet you were a little bit more bothered by it than you think. Perhaps you saw a bit of his fear at your success in yourself, as well?

I've often been accused of making excuses for people. So I apologize ahead of time for this question, but is it possible this clerk had seen you before? Perhaps buying a previous book on writing? And finally decided to ask you how the writing is going?

If you're anything like me, perhaps you've bought other similar books and perhaps he was seeing a pattern so decided to ask you about it?
No?

It still doesn't explain all the laughing.

Originally Posted by Die Oldhaetunde

So don't rub it in his face. It takes a lot of courage to understand and feel bad for someone like this. Much more courage, in fact than to get defensive and rub it in his face.

I would rub it in his face. I’d pull my book from the shelf, or the giant floor display with my picture on it, march up to the counter -- and with an extravagant flourish, I'd take out a pen, sign my name and personalize it with, “Who's laughing now, loser!” Then I’d continue to mock and berate him -- right up to the point he calls for security.

I've never taken it personally when someone acts strangely like that. Something's usually amiss—like their sanity. Don't worry about it. Get to work on that book and stop getting distracted, LOL!