Would I collaborate with another author?

So there I am on Facebook, two days before this post on this site is due to go live, and I’m asking folks whether they have a topic they’d like me to post about. My sister chimes in on that post and asks me:

“If you could co-author a novel (or short story) with your favorite living author or two, who would that be and what would be the general plot of the book?”

This is a very good question. The problem with it, though, is that I’m not entirely sure I can answer it in the way my sister intends. So before I try, a few caveats.

One: Some of my favorite living authors write in genres I don’t, and vice versa. For example, any of my favorites that write historical romance, or romantic suspense, or mystery.

Mind you, “not having a genre in common” would not necessarily be a deal breaker if both I and the other author were sufficiently committed to making it work. But it would make things more difficult, just because we wouldn’t necessarily have common experience with genre conventions as authors. (As opposed to common experience with genre conventions as readers, which is not the same thing. If we didn’t have a genre in common as authors but we did as readers, that might inform the type of work we’d create together.)

Two: Nailing down “my favorite living authors” is hard, you guys. Even if I focus on SF/F, since that’s what I write, there are a lot of authors in the genre whose work I have admired at one point or another just because I read a lot.

I can point at a lot of books and go “I loved this book because of how it did its worldbuilding” or “I loved this one because it had an amazing set of characters” or “Jesus H. Hopping Christ on a pogo stick, this book’s command of the language makes me just want to set my keyboard on fire now”. In other words, I tend to place more of an emphasis on “favorite books” than I do “favorite authors”.

Which is not to say I don’t have favorite SF/F authors, because I do. But for me, “favorite author” is a category I pretty much reserve for “people who have directly impacted my life above and beyond just writing a book I thought was awesome”. Tolkien goes into that category. So does Barbara Michaels, a.k.a. Elizabeth Peters. You will note, however, that both of those authors are deceased and my sister specifically asked me about favorite living authors.

Three: “I adore this author’s work” does not necessarily equal “so I’d like to collaborate with this author on a project”.

Even if we’re talking authors who are also SF/F, this doesn’t necessarily mean that that person and I would be a good fit for collaboration. Some questions we’d have to consider would include (but not be limited to):

• Do we have compatible writing styles?
• Does our individual work hold any promise of interesting crossovers?
• Alternately, if we want to do a new project together that has nothing in common with our individual projects, do we have an idea to pursue we’re both excited about?
• Do we have compatible writing schedules? Are we local to one another? If we’re not, how many time zones are between us? Would it be difficult for us to coordinate via Skype?
• Are we both reasonably sure we can work together as professionals and not drive one another nuts?
• Can we set up a reasonable contract for the work between us, or have agents do so on our behalf?

All of which would slant me in favor of collaborating with an author I actually already personally know.

Four: Just because I really like a given author’s work and would really love to write with them doesn’t necessarily mean they’d want to write with me.

For one thing, they might not know me from Adam, and might not have any reason to know whether I’m capable of stringing coherent sentences together. And certainly, a lot of authors above a certain tier in the world of publishing are going to get a lot of strangers approaching them going “I have this awesome idea, you write it, we’ll split the royalties fifty-fifty.” (I do not operate at this tier of publishing.)

For another, even if they’re aware of who I am, they may not have actually read my stuff. Or even if they have, they might not have cared for it. Which is fine!

But if I’m going to work with someone, it would definitely need to be someone who knows my work and who would be excited about working with me.

Which, again, would probably slant me towards authors I personally know.

Five: Most importantly, even if I can name an author I’d love to work with, this doesn’t mean I can say off the top of my head what the general plot of our project would be.

For one thing, if I’m going to collaborate with someone, the very first thing I’d want to settle with them (aside from verifying workable logistics and the whole ‘can we work together without driving one another crazy?’ question) is what we’d actually be working on.

And what that project would be would very much depend upon the individual author. If they’re someone else who writes urban fantasy, we might conceivably do a crossover between my main character and theirs. But it’s just as possible that we might wind up doing something separate from either of our own titles, if we find an idea we’re passionate about.

All of which is a very long-winded way of me not actually answering my sister’s question. (Tolkien's "go not to the elves for council, for they will say both no and yes" quote? Totally applies to me. Also, verbosity is my superpower and this is a pretty impressive number of words to answer a question I wasn't even sure I could do a full blog post on!)

Given all these caveats, and assuming that all relevant stars were in alignment and these would be collaborations that could in fact happen, here are some ideas:

• Along with Tanya Huff, I’d be real amused to write Kendis and her compatriots discovering courtesy of a certain centuries-old gentleman named Henry that vampires totally exist. I'm pretty sure the Warders are trying very hard to go LALALALALA about the whole vampire concept. (But really, I would happily write anything with Tanya Huff, who is a queen of all the subgenres. I’m not even particularly interested in writing milSF, for example, but for Huff I would make an exception.)
• Along with Julie E. Czerneda, I’d want to write an original SF story because she is way, way better at aliens than I am.
• Along with C.E. Murphy, some form of historical/period urban fantasy since she and I both have some interests in that direction.
• Along with Cherie Priest, I’d be interested in doing something fun in the realm of Southern Gothic. You couldn’t pay me to live in the South these days, but you could totally pay me to write a story set there. Alternately, it would be very amusing to see what Warding efforts would be happening in Priest’s version of the Civil War and post-Civil-War history, in the world of Boneshaker. It would not be impossible to Ward Priest’s version of Seattle. But it would be a lot harder what with all the zombies.
• Along with Doranna Durgin, even though she’s writing paranormal romance these days, I’d be interested in original secondary world fantasy or contemporary fantasy (not necessarily urban).
• Along with Kat Richardson, there’d be more fun crossover potential. Can a Greywalker actually see the Wards on a city? Can a Warder actually go into the Grey? It’d be fun to find out.

So there you go. Becky, this post is for you!

--

Angela hasn't collaborated with another author yet, even though she does a pretty passable imitation of being two different authors herself, what with publishing as both Angela Highland and Angela Korra'ti. Regardless of what name you know her by, come find all her books at angelahighland.com, or say hi to her on Facebook or Twitter!

Halloween Round Robin, Magic Style

We're midway through our big Halloween celebration at Here Be Magic, and for today, ten or so of the HBM authors have prepared you a special treat. Or maybe it's a trick?? I don't know -- when I sent this to each author in turn, they may have felt like it was some kind of trick! But they all pitched in graciously, and so we are able to present to you the follow piece of communal fiction. It's about Delphie the pixie and how she likes to spend Halloween. Read on, if you dare...and if you have enough time...and if you're in the mood for a laugh...

***

PART ONE

Little-known pixie fact: Halloween is one of the best nights for politicking. The stupid humans open the door to anyone who knocks and happens to be in costume. So it's no trouble to get an invitation inside and then bespell them to vote the way you want them to.

Adjusting her fake fairy wings--ha, like fairies can fly--Delphinia Bathsheba Slippery-Elm marched up the scraggly sidewalk to the door of the old mansion on the corner of Hoot and Main. Her trick or treat bag swung from her wrist. The porch lights weren't on, but the house was definitely decked out for Halloween. Spookiness practically oozed from it. (Jody Wallace)

PART TWO

Delphie pasted on her best smile and lifted the brass gargoyle doorknocker. The resulting clang was out-of-proportion loud and nearly knocked her off her favorite stiletto heeled boots. She caught her breath as the door creaked--actually creaked--open and a shadowy figure loomed down at her.

"Aren't you a little old for Trick or Treating?" The voice was as deep and smooth as the rarest Belgian chocolate.

Delphie looked up, way up, and gasped. Even in cheesy plastic fangs and a polyester cape, the dark-haired hunk was a walking wet dream. He eyed her from her pink hair to pointed toes and crossed his arms over his impressive chest.

"Unless it's a different kind of trick you're looking for, in which case you still have the wrong house. The fraternity house is the next one over." The door began to close, ever so slowly, in Delphie's face..... (Cindy Spencer Pape)

PART THREE

Delphie placed her small palm against the door and her pointed boot in the crack. This guy was going to be a little more difficult than old Mrs. Futchermeyer across the street. No matter. She was prepared for that. Every vote counted, and this particular voter might be worth working over...um...for.

"Wait," she said. "Before I go, I have a treat for you." Before he could object, she reached into her Trick or Treat bag and pulled out a handful of sparkling dust. Pursing her lips, she blew across her palm, and the dust floated into the gorgeous fake vampire's face.

He blinked twice and sneezed. "What the hell was that?" he asked. (R.L. Naquin)

PART FOUR

Backing away hastily as he reached for her, Delphie was shocked when the man disappeared between one blink and the next. An invisible hand grabbed her shoulder and hauled her across the threshold, door slamming behind her like the crack of doom.

"What have you done to me?" he said, not releasing his grip.

"Just – just some pixie dust to influence your vote," Delphie stammered, a terrible suspicion giving her chills. "You’re not human, are you?"

His laugh was short and ended in another sneeze.

"Not exactly, sweetheart. Wanted my vote eh? Couldn’t just ask for it nicely? You do know there’s only one way to break this curse of invisibility now, don’t you?" (Veronica Scott)

PART FIVE

"Curse of invisibility? I think that would be pretty cool." She was thinking about all the fun pranks she could pull when he sneezed again.

"You would." Even narrowed in obvious derision, he had the most incredible pale brown eyes. Unfortunately they too faded away, like the Cheshire cat.

Delphie stomped one high-heeled boot. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Only that I’s clear you’re not above tricks and deceit."

"Tis the season." She smiled. "Besides tricks are not the same as deceit." She glanced around the surprisingly modern foyer. "What’s it to you anyway?"

"You are standing in my home."

There was that. This man was infuriating, but he had been so very nice to look at. "What are you anyway?" (Shawna Thomas)

PART SIX

"That, my dear, is information you don't need to know."

Delphie affected pity. "Vamp, huh, but too young to have any cool superpowers yet."

"What? No, of course--" He stopped. "Tricky pixie."

"I try," Delphie said modestly. She stealthily reached into her pocket for more dust. If one had made him invisible, she was dying to know what two would do. (Nicole Luiken)

PART SEVEN

Delphie pulled out her hand and a tiny entanglement of black fur trembled against her palm as it sneezed out a barely audible squeak. Oops. That wasn't the transformation dust. That was her ex she'd turned into a miniature peromyscus last time he'd pissed her off. She hadn't decided if she was going to feed him to her cat or change him back yet.

Shoving Romulus back into her pocket, Delphie retrieved the sparkling dust. Before she could purse her lips and blow it at the deliciously tempting vamp, a hot puff of air blew the dust in her direction.

"Fair is fair, sweetheart. Now you’ve got no choice but give in. We both know what it’ll take to cure us. Let’s get to it, shall we?" (Angela Campbell)

PART EIGHT

A shuffle of feet and Delphie found herself pinned to the wall by an invisible fake vampire. Cool fingers scraped down her bare arm. He caught her wrist in a powerful grip and slammed it none-too-gently into the wall.

She lifted an eyebrow. "Like it rough, do you?"

His breath was warm against her neck, his laugh rich and deep. "Three drops of fairy blood, spilled on Hallow's Eve--the night the veil between worlds is thinnest--will purge your magic."

Crap. How did he know that? No way she could let him break her charms. She'd canvassed all night.

"You know what else cures invisibility?" she asked archly as she curled her free hand into the curtains beside them. "Fabric." She yanked, swathing him in orange silk. In surprise, he let her go. She pitched toward the door. "Gotta dash. There's a fraternity that needs to get out the vote." (Jax Garren)

PART NINE

Lights blazed in the fraternity house. Music blared so loud she feared her knock would go unanswered, which might not be a bad thing. She was beginning to question the wisdom of approaching a fraternity house. Before she could hurry away the door was flung open by a huge guy cradling a half empty vodka bottle.

He took one look at her, screamed in horror, and banged the door in her face.

Unusual reaction. Most frat boys would be thrilled to see a pretty fairy on their doorstep. Unless--oh no--she pulled out her compact and checked her appearance.

The fairy dust that the vamp had blown in her face had turned her into an ugly, warty old crone. She sensed someone approaching, someone she couldn't see. Must be the cute vamp, who was still invisible. She couldn't let him see her like this. (Janni Nell)

PART TEN

Delphie pounded on the door of the frat house again. It only opened a crack this time, but she was ready. She quickly blew a handful of fairy dust into frat boy’s face and slipped past him while he was rubbing his eyes. Then she ducked into the hall closet to hide.

She couldn’t believe what a mess the evening was turning into. Her fairy dust was clearly defective. She never should have tried to economize by buying in bulk from the White Sands Discount Fairy Supply Shoppe.

"Perfectly safe and Reliable" the unctuous-voiced salesclerk had called it, promising that the rumors of radioactive isotopes in their product causing monstrous mutations were entirely without substance. She’d like to blow some dust his way and see how he liked being smacked with the ugly stick.

But, in the meantime, why was the small bulge in her coat pocket growing larger...and larger...and larger? (PG Forte)

***

So WHAT has it got in its pockets?? Will the invisible vampire still want to get his "cure" from the warty pixie? Will the frat boys think they got into some bad liquor? Will all Delphie's hard work in getting out the vote (her way) be for naught? What do you think happens next? And what do you think the title of this should be?

We'll present Delphie's further adventures back here in 2 weeks! We'll be joined, I believe, by none other than author Rebecca York who is going to be pitching into the story too. Do you think she can write Delphie out of this situation? Be sure to drop by and find out.

Sincerely, Jody Wallace & Meankitty
Making the Internet Cattier Since 1999
http://www.meankitty.com * http://www.jodywallace.com

Tag Team Writing

Many writers have critique partners. We often try out many potential partners before finding the right fit. Sooner or later we find that person or people with complementary skill sets, who encourage us, but also let us know when we’ve gone in the wrong direction with a story. Still, at the end of the day the story we write is our own original creation.

My coming release from Carina Press, Amazon Heat, is actually a product of a partnership between Melinda Leigh and I. It started as a whim, a random brainstorming during the ride to our writing group’s monthly meeting. We had so much fun plotting out the story that we decided to put the idea to paper.  Still, neither of us had ever written with a partner. We had no idea if we could successfully blend our styles and voices so that the final product would be a seamless conglomerate of the two. I’d always wondered how writing teams did it? Do the partners trade off scenes? Does one partner write from the hero’s point of the view the other the heroines? Every team has their own unique writing process. When people learn that I write as part of a team, I'm often asked how we do it. So,  I thought I’d share a little bit of collaborative process. 

We start by creating a detailed outline jotting down all of the scenes that we think will be needed. Once we have that we dive in, writing tag team so to speak, alternating scenes as we go. We’re both fairly laid back people. Neither one of us is married to the words on the page, which is a good thing. You’re never going to get anywhere if you’re so in love with every word you write that you won’t let anyone change it. If the story starts to diverge from the path that we’ve set up, we’ll discuss it. In the end we usually come up with something even stronger.

Once we make a bit of progress, we’ll go back and make some editorial passes even as we continue to progress forward. Stylistically, Melinda and I are very different writers. However, those differences complement each other. It's very cool to reread a scene I’ve written after she’s taken a pass at it. I’m a layer writer. My first drafts are very skeletal, so I enjoy seeing what meat she’s added. Conversely, when I go through I’ll focus on punching up the paranormal or romantic elements of the story.  We’ll tweak until we both agree that it’s finished. Then out the door it goes. 

It’s been a great experience having another writer as immersed in a story as I am. We’ve learned from each other and had a lot of fun in the process.

That's just a brief glimpse into our writing world. Now tell, me have you ever tried writing with a partner? If so what was your process? If not have you ever considered it?


I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day!

~Rayna Vause
www.RaynaVause.com