The other day I started thinking about all the myths surrounding fiction – both reading and writing it - and it occurred to me that there are quite a few of those myths. Just for the heck of it, I’ve decided to take a look at the myths of fiction from time to time and do my best to dispel them.

For the first myth, we’re looking at one of my favorites, a myth I often hear from people who know me. Why they feel the need to say the following things to a fiction writer, I’m not sure. (I don’t poopoo their pursuits, after all.)

“Fiction is a waste of time. I’d rather improve my brain by reading nonfiction.”

OR

“I don’t want to invest time in reading fiction, because it doesn’t do any good. Reading nonfiction will make me a better person.”

These are simply myths. Myths, I say!

In the NaNoWriMo procrastination station, there's a thread all about the things you should never say to a writer. I found it entirely inspiring, and I thought it deserved a post of its own. Following are some of my pet peeves in a long rant format. Thank you Denny's coffee refills...