Signs of a problem : breath absent; skin cold to touch. The symptoms : feeling pretty darn cheesed off. Your friends warned you about th...

Signs of a problem : rating drops; critical review count increases. The symptoms : rejection; defensiveness. You’ve written an ironic se...

Signs of a problem : photo of you scantily clad appears on cover of tabloid. The symptoms : embarrassment; rage. You’re sunbathing in th...

The situation : midlist author ranting and raving; your face on the cover of national newspapers (not hers). The symptoms : outrage. Yo...

Signs of a problem : mate buys you many drinks; mate starts talking with exaggerated diction. The symptoms : dread; guilt. A major film ...

Signs of a problem : fellow writer sniffs a lot and then invites you into a toilet. The symptoms : shock. You’re at a book fair at the l...

Signs of a problem : passenger fumbles with trousers, pen in hand. The symptoms : disgust; fear; revulsion. It’s always flattering to be...