For writers everywhere, the world really does look like a totally different place. Whereas regular folk tend to live in the moment and feel comfortable when it comes to "enjoying themselves," writers are constantly plagued by the fact that they're working towards something - a goal, semi-realised or not realised at all - which renders life as a turbulent mess of anxieties, complete with elongated periods of mass brain hurt, and a never-ending thought process that constantly begs them to ponder the answers to questions like: "Would that make a good story?" or "How can I express what just happened to me in 500 pages?" or "Should I just end it all right here?" As a result, a lot of things that writers tend to say - not just to other writers, but to everyone - have hidden meanings. An offhand comment to a close relative might actually signal the search for new material, whereas a boastful line about how well their novel is going could - in reality - be a massive cry for help. Of course, it's now seems apparent that all writers pretty much spout the same things over and over again as a way to mask what they're really trying to say. Here we highlight a bunch of these writely stock phrases: 23 things that writers say vs. what they mean...
23. "Harry Potter Was Rejected By 12 Publishing Houses Before It Was Accepted, You Know..."
What They Actually Mean: "I want you to know it's possible for me to be immensely talented even if I never publish anything." "Please excuse me why I make myself feel better by telling you this."
