Why do authors always feel cold?

This joke is a clever play on words, a classic pun that hinges on the double meaning of "drafts." In the world of literature, a "draft" refers to an early version of a manuscript, a work in progress that an author is constantly writing, revising, and refining before it reaches its final, polished form. Authors often produce many drafts, each one a step closer to the finished piece.

However, "draft" also describes a current of cold air, often seeping into a room through a gap or an unsealed window, making one feel chilly. Anyone who has sat near a leaky window in winter knows that uncomfortable sensation. The humor comes from juxtaposing these two distinct meanings, imagining a writer literally surrounded by their unfinished work, yet feeling a physical chill from the air.

The joke playfully connects the often solitary and sometimes arduous process of writing—where an author is indeed "surrounded by drafts" of their creative output—with the relatable experience of being uncomfortably cold. It's a lighthearted nod to the writing life, using a common word to create a surprising and amusing image.