JUST SAY NO.

Unfortunately, telling people that you can’t do something because you are writing a book is seen either as a sign that you are utterly delusional, or as a wind-up. Even though I am now Published, this is still the case. There is a general expectancy that writing is something you should indulge in only when there is nothing else to do.

Your friends would be perfectly happy to go along to the pub quiz without you if you said you had to swot for an accountancy exam or mind the baby, but not if you say you are working on a novel. If you find it hard to refuse invitations for this reason, then tell a white lie.