**This post is remaining up longer than usual. I’m away camping! Hope you have a great break over Easter.**
Is writing with someone else twice as much work, or half?
What do you do if you disagree?
How do you write? Line by line? Scene by scene? Together at the keyboard?
This week, we’re trying something a little different! I’ve invited my writing partner, the terribly clever Meagan Spooner to come and collaborate with me on this post about collaboration. Meg is represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary, and writes YA fantasy and science fiction. Together we’re currently working on WRECKED, a YA sci-fi romance.
So today, here’s a Three Ways post that’s a little different. You’ll hear from both Meg and I with our top three tips for writing with a partner. At the bottom, some useful links!
Work Out The Rules Ahead Of Time
Meg says: Sit down and figure out the rules for how you’re going to go about collaborating ahead of time. Don’t assume your partner is on the same page as you. Figure out who is going to write which part, and whose creative vision trumps whose in which parts of the manuscript. Ideally when you disagree you will be able to discuss the section in question and work out a solution that appeals to both partners, but if you can’t, who makes the final call? With Amie and I, we each “own” a half of our romantic pairing. So my word trumps hers when it comes to the character whose point of view I write, whereas she gets to call the shots when it comes to her own character. Sorting out the rules ahead of time will prevent bruised egos and festering issues. And if this communication starts to break down, TALK to your partner the second you feel something’s not right. The emotions involved in writing are so intense that tiny things lead to big things far more quickly than in other relationships. Don’t let it catch you unawares.
Amie says: Meg’s dead right when she says that writing together is like being in a relationship. It’s all about compromise, and though I’m a little biased (after all, I’m a mediator by profession), I really think that compromise can make your work so much stronger. Once you know who’s going to have a say and when, look for the gifts those decisions can bring. If your partner needs a part of the story to run a certain way, what new possibilities does that wake up for you that you didn’t see before? Take the attitude that if a door closes a window opens–however cliche, it’s true. To Meg’s more concrete rules, I’ll also add a couple: work out what you’ll do with the book if one of you wants or needs to stop work on it. If you’re represented, work out whose agent might sell the work. Make contingency plans, even if you think you’ll never need them.
Pick Somebody Who Complements Your Strengths (and Weaknesses)
Amie says: Meg’s writing is beautiful, lyrical stuff that hauls you into the story and won’t let you go. She knows how to get you turning pages (I still get shivers, and I’ve read THE IRON WOOD approximately twenty-three and a half times), and she never hesitates to inflict the worst on her characters when that’s what the story calls for. Her settings are vivid, and she sketches them out for the reader by using the cleverest of small details. I’m terrible at inflicting the worst on my characters. I’m a big softy at heart (and on the outside, too). I usually spend my revisions fleshing out drafts that suffer from White Room Syndrome. When I write with Meg, I find myself rising to the occasion. I strengthen the areas of my work where she excels, and when she edits my sections, she takes them to a new level. Finding somebody who can do that for you is priceless.
Meg says: Amie has this incredible sense of humor that shows up even when she’s writing dramatically, and it gets me every time. Though I recognize that some of the most dramatic and affecting stuff out there uses humor as a contrast, I find it really difficult to find the funny when I’m hanging my characters out to dry and shoving them down cliffs and tearing bits of them off. The way Amie sprinkles it in is genius, and it makes the tragic parts of a story so much more poignant. I regularly end up crying when we’re working on our book, as she can attest. She also writes the most amazing male characters of anyone I’ve met. I challenge anyone to read her writing and not fall instantly, helplessly in love with her fictional creations. She makes it so easy to write about hopeless adoration, because that’s what you genuinely feel for these guys! If I could kill someone and steal their abilities… ahem.
Know Your Goals
Meg says: This ties in with the aspects of good communication in the first rule, but it’s more to do with the practical side than the creative side. It’s really important to know what your partner wants to get out of the situation. Talk about best and worst case scenarios–in an ideal world, what’s your hope for the book? What’s the absolute minimum you want to get out of writing it? What’s your timeline for the project, and by what points do you want to meet certain benchmarks? This is especially true if you aren’t as familiar with the writing process–and speed–of your partner. If your partner wants a relaxed meander down Creative Lane and maybe have a first draft in a year or two, while you want to churn out a finished book and be ready to query in six months, that’s a problem. Collaboration in any arena is about communication and compromise.
Amie says: So true! We have the advantage of living together, so if Meg’s dying to see what happens in the next section I’m writing, I get lucky and she cooks me dinner so I can sit down and get to work. Not everybody’s so lucky, though! Knowing how often you’re going to see sections from your writing partner and what state they’ll be in is important. Letting each other know if you’re straying from the schedule is important too. Make regular times to IM, Skype or even get together face to face and chat so you keep the communication channels open. Although it may feel a bit pretentious to talk about The Great Future of Your Book before you even get started, knowing where the journey’s heading for each of you is important!
How about you? Would you try it? Any questions for us? (And psst, jump over to Meg’s blog to check out her great post on the future of dystopian fiction.)
Collaboration Three Ways
Jon S. Lewis has ten great rules for writing with a partner.
Jessie Harrell discusses how she set up her co-authoring relationship.
Elise Allen talks about collaborating on scripts, with Hilary Duff and points out you’re collaborating with your editor!
Sounds like at times, working together and pairing different strengths can be a good thing. Esp. if you’re writing in different povs. Sounds like fun!
This is a great post. I agree about setting down the rules ahead of time; it makes everything in easier on the back end.
Really great advice for collaboration. I think something like this would definitely require compromise and great communication. I considered collaborating on an idea of mine, with someone I very much respect even, but I just couldn’t do it. I think it boils down to me being too selfish with it. Or at least I knew I would be. It’s very much my baby, and it wouldn’t have been fair to my friend because I think I’d have battled on everything. Collaboration requires both (all) writers to feel fully invested in a project, and I’m way too stubborn and with this particular project too selfish to have made it work. I do however do a lot of plotting with my husband. I think because he doesn’t mind letting me take the lead. It’s ultimately my story, but he gives me great ideas without feeling like he has to have ownership of it–so it’s still a collaboration of sorts, but not in the same sense as you and Meg.
I love the way the two of you write about each other. There’s such affection and respect that I’m sure any project you collaborate on will be a success. I’ve never thought of collaborating with another author, but I must admit this post piqued my interest!
This is very timely for me. I’m just at the beginning stages of a possible collaboration and have no idea where to start. Great post!
I’ve often wondered how this works. I love the idea of working with someone who has different strengths. Between the two of you, you can be one heck of a perfect writer!
It sounds like a lot of fun! Best of luck!
Oooh, this was a good read. I have talked with a friend about collaborating and we have some notes here and there on what should be an amazing story… but that’s as far as we’ve gotten.
I think I shall definitely read this again when we’re ready to get going on our project!
I’ve tried it twice and it didn’t work. I think because each time, the ground rules were not understood. Really cool post and it’s clear that you guys have this collaboration thing ‘locked’ as we’d say in my neck of the woods.
Great post on collaboration. I’m not sure I could do it although it could be fun to try. Setting those rules at the beginning would definitely be crucial.
I’ve always wondered how to work with a writing partner – what the logistics are. Thanks for the insight. Sounds like it can be incredibly rewarding.
This is such an interesting post. I’ve never had any urge to co-write, but your advice sort of makes me want to try it out. Thanks for sharing your rules and your experience!
Although I never intend on writing with someone, I do appreciate all the advice, and the wonderful links.
I admire any-write that can compose with another person; I don’t think I ever could.
Thx for the post and for all you do.
My friend and I started a collaboration. It was fun but tough to coordinate busy schedules to work together. Plus, I am pretty sure I am kind of a control freak.
I’m in awe of anyone who can work with someone on writing projects. I just can’t picture it happening in my world…
At this moment in time, my writing is a solo gig, but in the near future my boyfriend and I plan to collaborate on a graphic novel about anthropomorphic groundhogs. I write, he draws.
Several years ago, while I tutored at Sylvan, I got an idea to help students think about descriptive writing, and with Valentine’s Day was around the corner, I felt the message ‘everyone deserves love’ needed to reinforcement. So, I asked the students to write down their descriptions of different parts of a monster. Then, I took the slips of paper to my boyfriend and he drew the lovable Valentine’s Day, Sylvan-loving monster with my creative direction, who still resides on the wall in the center. It got a bit tense at times when the communication got lost in translation, but I really enjoyed working with him, if for nothing but to watch him draw.
The graphic novel project is still in the research mode, but the tips and advice you and Meg offered will definitely help. The chance to work creatively with my man and maintain our relationship is thrilling.
Super post! I’d love to collaborate with another writer. I’ve always wondered how you work out the details of who does what and keep communication open.
It is clear that you both admire each others strengths as writers. I would think this is a must in any collaboration.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
Great advice. I’m collaborating on a book, too. It’s nonfiction, so our work isn’t as intertwined as yours, but still, we have to be very careful. A long-time friendship is at stake. (Not a living situation as well–that makes your rules that much more important. ) Giving up a need for complete control is essential.
Great advice. I haven’t collaborated before, but if I ever do I’ll keep all this in mind.
Great post! I’ve often wondered how something like this would work and thought it would be awesome to have a partner. Sounds like it’s going really well for you both and your commitment to communication is amazing. Good luck!
Now that I have this great set of rules I think I would try it someday, if I came across the right writer.
I’ve collaborated on a couple projects, and, although co-writing would never be my first choice, it certainly has its benefits. It’s fun being able to talk to someone during the formative stages of an idea, and it’s definitely a blast tossing ideas back and forth. But it’s difficult to surrender autonomy. The rules you’ve set forth here are vital.
Sounds like an interesting experience. I’m not sure you’ve made me want to try collaborative writing, but you sure have made me want to read your work
These are GREAT tips for collaboration. I like how you compliment each other’s writing style and step up your game. Works to improve your skills all around–awesome!
What a team you two make
I’m not sure I’d have the patience to work with a partner. Or the dedication to a time line. You two bring up a lot of good points to keep in mind.
……..dhole
So true, about setting the rules first. An interesting post!
I am part of a writer’s group, and even though we haven’t co-authored a piece, we function much like a writing partnership. We are tossing around ideas that would require the merging of our talents, so your post really is helpful. My blog has a couple humorous anecdotes about our writer’s group.
Sounds like something fun to try one day. possibly not in this season with small children… or maybe??
“It’s all about compromise, and though I’m a little biased (after all, I’m a mediator by profession), I really think that compromise can make your work so much stronger.” ~ I love it. Learning from others can make your work so much better. I am so happy for you, writing with Meagan. I need a roommate like that.
Right now, I’m trying to get my wife into writing, so I’ll get a chance to test if these really are like relationships. I’ve co-wrote two things and neither turned out well.
With you two picking up each other’s writing, it should be a great read.
Draven Ames
Hope you had a great time camping Amie. I went up to the Sunshine Coast, to our house at Peregian Beach and had half rainy/half glorious weather. Also painted our bedroom, so not all beer and skittles.
Can’t imagine collaborating on writing but I know it can be done successfully. I’m about to collaborate on a Friday writing group so I’ll see how the teamwork goes.
So much to catch up on now.
Denise<3
Fun post! I hope you had a great time camping!
What a great post! I loved hearing both of your perspectives. I’ve never considered collaborating with someone, but this post makes me want to.
Best of luck with it! (And I hope you enjoyed your camping trip).