Exploring Genres - Collaborative Writing

by Jeanette O'Hagan

We often imagine writing as a solitary pursuit - the writer huddles alone in his or her attic, putting words on paper (or computer file) with a big do-not-disturb sign on the door.

In fact, while there are long stretches when writing requires peace or at least lack of interruptions, producing a book most often calls for a team of people from critique partners, beta-readers, editors, proof-readers, graphic artists, formatters, publishers, booksellers, and publicists.

But there is another way, that writers can collaborate and that is in the actual writing itself in collaborative works. There are in fact quite a range of opportunities.

Types of Collaborative Writing

Ghost Writing

In ghost writing, an experienced and capable writer is employed or invited to write a story on behalf of someone else, often a celebrity or someone with a unique and fascinating story or both. This is most often done with memoirs, but can happen with fiction. In many cases the ghost writer is paid and his or her name does not appear on the cover or may appear but in a secondary fashion (eg Deva Star with Jane Smith).

Jeanette Grant-Thomson has done some ghost-writing, in addition to her own fiction and non-fiction.  For instance, Healing Song was co-written in connection with Merrilyn Billing and tells Merrilyn's story.

Illustrators

In picture books particularly, the illustrator contributes as much to the story as the writer. There are many wonderful examples of this synergy between image and word such as Wombat Books' Same by Katrina Roe and Jemima Trappel, Can God See Me by Penny Reeve and Shannon Melville, Do You Remember? co-written by Kelly O'Gara and Anna McNeil, and illustrated by Kelly O'Gara.

Though I do confess a particular affection for Colourful Memories, written by Catherine Bauer and illustrated by my daughter, Kathleen O'Hagan.

Partnerships

In some cases, a more established well known writer might partner with a newer writer with fresh ideas.

In other cases, two or more writers may combine together to write the one book or series of books.  In fiction, each writer may be the primary writer for one of the main characters.  Of course, the writers need to agree on a range of things like settings, the plot, the subject, the themes, characters etc and may need to write the other writer/s character in their own character's scenes.

Meredith Resce, Rose Dee, Paula Vince and Amanda Deed worked together to write The Greenfield Legacy together, each one writing one of the characters to produce a great story about the legacy of past decisions.

Anthologies

In anthologies, authors can contribute short stories and/or poems that may centre of a theme or subject matter, or genre, or setting.

Glimpses of Light (published in 2015, the International Year of Light and edited by myself and Nola Passmore), includes a range of short stories, non-fiction pieces, flash fiction and poems on the theme of light. Contributions were from both new and more established writers, including Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Jo Wanmer, Adele Jones, Lynne Stringer, Nola Passmore, Adam Collings, Paula Vince, Anusha Atukorala, Ellen Carr, Jeanette Grant-Thomson and others.

The science fiction and fantasy anthology, Medieval Mars, has stories set in a futuristic Mars conceived by Travis Perry, that is a Mars that has been terraformed, settled and then regressed to a medieval level of technology. Each story is set in different spots in the world and written by different authors, including Adam Colling's Lynessa's Curse. The stories were published both as the collection Medieval Mars and individually as short stories by the authors.

Book Bundles

In book bundles, multiple authors contribute their books (either full length novels or novellas) usually of similar genre, theme, or setting.

Narelle mentioned some romance book bundles in the November genre post.

I've participated in two - On the Horizon - which involved 22 authors writing sci-fi & fantasy set in low technology worlds. Akrad's Children was included in this and the aim was for volume of sales over a short period. Over 900 copies were sold over the three month period the bundle was available.  The boxed set continued in an altered form in Limited Horizon - with 12 Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels, Novellas, and Short Stories from 12 authors, including my Heart of the Mountain. Many of the authors in this series are secular, but write in the same or similar genres to me.

Book Series

This year, I was part of a group planning on writing a series of full length novels set in the same world. Initially we had maybe 10-12 people involved. Three or four of the authors got together and formed a premise, setting and timeline of the world. I wasn't initially that keen on some of the elements, but after much thought, come up with a premise for a storyline that fitted into the world & which I liked.

We set up a calendar of publication for 2019 on a monthly basis (I had May), with the idea that each author would bring out a novel set in the world (and consistent with each other's works). We started with a lot of enthusiasm and I was quite excited about the idea though I had other writing projects to finish before I could get started.

Then over time, one by one, people began dropping out for various reasons. Much to my disappointment, the main organisers decided to pull the plug on the project. I have still got my plot synopsis, which maybe one day I will write.

I think multi-author book series a great concept and would love have another attempt at something like this (novel or novella) again, hopefully with better success.

It has been done. Again, Narelle mentioned the Tuscan Legacy book series, romance novels with a common setting and plot thread.  There's also the Jane Austen project - in which various well established authors were invited to write modern adaptations of the different Jane Austen novels in a contemporary setting.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Writing in partnership with other writers may spark imagination and creative energy. It may draw on the strengths of each writer and add depth to characterisation or setting. Plus it builds in feedback and editing on each other's writing.

Sometimes the more established writer/s brings visibility and connection with a larger fan base while the newer, up and coming author can bring new ideas and inspiration and a freshness to the stories or a particular insight (if, say from a particular demographic or culture).

In much collaborative writing, authors can be introduced to the fans of the other authors. While readers, attracted by an author they know and love, may discover new authors with similar writing styles, themes or genres.

Different forms of collaborative writing often enables authors to pool or share marketing efforts, thus allowing a bigger splash or more impact per buck.

Disadvantages

With partnerships, the partners may have different understandings of what needs to happen or want the story to go in different directions. So there is a potential for disagreement which may derail the project.

Logistics may be a problem; for instance, finding the time to plan, to share segments for feedback or  different writers may write at different paces etc. Finances, copyright, royalties, costs must all be worked through and agreed upon and then held to.

The bigger the group, perhaps the more likelihood that either the project may take a long time or fall apart altogether.



There are pitfalls to consider in collaborative writing, but such projects can be both fun and worthwhile.

Have you ever been involved in such a project or considered doing so? What advantages and disadvantages did you find? Would you do it again?




*****

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing.

Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users.

She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea (the third novella) is now available. .


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Collaborative writing, ACW-CWD Crosspost, exploring genre, Jeanette O'Hagan, Book Bundles, collaborative book series, ghost writing, co-writing,

Looking ahead and behind

My writing experience this year has been quite different from past years and I hope my reflections on it will not be too disjointed. In contrast to ten years of immersing myself in my family history, combining the known facts with fiction and producing ten novels, this year I have focussed on the life of an 80 year old man I would call a living legend. Bill, a man I had met a couple of times, and heard speak about his work with underprivileged children, contacted me late last year and asked if I would be interested in writing his life story. He and his family wanted to have in print his own journey from a childhood in Boy’s Homes, adolescence on the streets of Sydney, through alcoholism, workaholism, conversion to Christianity, and retirement spent establishing a foundation and successful work in helping children he so deeply identifies with.  Bill’s desire is that this book will be a guide to freedom and faith for those who struggle with the effects of deprivation, rejection and abuse in their early lives. He also wants it to be a helpful blueprint for those who are attempting to minister to and support neglected, abused and homeless children. No small or simple task!

After prayer and deliberation I agreed to do this and while it has been a privilege it has also been an amazing challenge. As Bill and his wife both struggle with failing health we have not been able to progress quickly and we have all had to trust the grace of God for the completion of this work, which is still a way off. Apart from the practical challenges of such an undertaking, this has been for me a huge learning curve in writing style. I would call what I’m doing, ghost writing Bill’s memoirs. So while telling his story, in his words, I’m attempting to help him structure and explore deeply his experience, so that readers will best understand not only what he has experienced and learned, but what has shaped him and led him to be the wonderful human being that he has become, and what God has been able to accomplish in and through him. 

While my work with Bill has taken much of my allotted writing time, I have also, through Book Whispers, re-edited and re-released one of my earlier novels. Price of Peace was my third novel, the last of my Oakes Family Saga, following Suzannah’s Gold and Rebecca’s Dream, which were re-released a few years ago. This was a new and quite different process of publication for me and so also involved a learning curve. It was interesting to go back to my earlier writing and see how much I’ve learned about writing and presentation. Editing one’s own work is always eye-opening, challenging and somewhat humbling, although it’s been satisfying to make adjustments to an earlier work and now have it available in better form.

Furthermore, there continues to be for me an internal debate about the future. Will I attempt to write another novel? Can I bear to go through the process of publication again – always so daunting. Do I want to write more fiction or should I think about non-fiction?  On our recent holiday in Western Australia I was tempted to have a go at writing comedy. It was our first holiday in a motor home – one we hired for three weeks as it seemed the best way to travel to the areas we wanted to explore in that vast state. This meant overnight stays and sometimes two or three days in caravan parks. As much as I loved our visits to National Parks, beautiful coastline areas, the gorges and our search for wild flowers, I must admit that I was as taken with the comedic antics we witnessed in these caravan parks. The arrivals and departures of couples, setting up and packing up of not only the van or motor home, but so many gadgets, appliances, specially made fixtures to ensure a home away from home experience for the travellers,  was not only an education for my husband and I, but provided much unexpected entertainment as we ate our breakfast or dinner.

So many men in singlets and thongs, apparently having thrown off the strictures of everyday work life, where what one looks like matters, to spend hours unwinding or winding up hoses and cords, setting up awnings, solar panels, TV aerials and BBQs, laying out matting, tables and chairs, cleaning wheel hubs, bull bars and windows.  While men saw to their outside duties, no doubt the women were as busy inside, before appearing with the nibbles and wine for happy hour, where couples would gather and have conversations which seemed amazingly repetitive: ‘where have you come from today? Where are you going next? What new invention or gadget have you acquired for your van?’ 

And then there were the dogs!  So often a dog, or even two, would emerge from unknown corners of the vehicle after the agonisingly long process of parking and straightening and balancing these huge vans, usually accompanied by a range of expletives as husband and wife yelled instructions and reprimands to each other. The dogs then often became the focus of attention as their beds, bowls, leads and jacket were brought out and they waited for their customary walk around the park where they’d meet up with other newly arrived dogs and sniff around each other while their owners discussed important things with other owners; ‘where have you come from today? Where are you heading next? Which is your van and what gadgets have you lately put on it? Would you like to join us for drinks and nibbles?’

Early mornings seemed to be taken up with more cleaning for the men, perhaps meeting up with other men at the ‘dump site’ with their jerry cans which were also of many and varied sizes and shapes, while women headed off to the laundry with huge baskets of sheets, towels and dirty clothes.  After all this seemingly exhausting activity I must admit I wondered how much energy or time most of these people had for sightseeing or enjoying the local area. It appeared as if the social life and community of the caravan park was often sufficient enjoyment and involvement for them. That said, I must acknowledge that we have numerous dear friends who have caravans and love this kind of travelling, and if it makes their retirement happy and fulfilled, then good for them, I say.

No doubt we provided a bit of entertainment for some of these experienced caravaners when we forgot to wind in our awning one evening and drove towards the exit with seven foot of waving canvas until we heard an almighty bang and looked back to see our awning in pieces on the road. Please note the ‘before’ photo. Clearly two and half weeks was not sufficient for us to become proficient caravaners. 

Those who travel regularly in this manner would have many a humorous story to tell and I’m sure someone with skills for recreating these images in words, could write a really funny book. For us it was experiment in holiday style and while we loved exploring Western Australia, we did decide that we’d go back to our usual way of travelling; a good four wheel drive vehicle and cabins or motels each night, where we can spread out in a decent sized bed, have a fresh set of sheets and towels each day, and leave what we’ve deposited in the bathroom behind.    

So my writing experience and reflections have been varied and interesting this year and apart from continuing with Bill’s life story I’m not sure what next year holds, but I am open to what God brings across my path and wants to teach me as my journey continues.  I’d love to hear what other writers have been up to. Any changes in direction, new challenges, inspirations?  

Carol

Carol writes historical novels based on her family ancestry in Australia from the First Fleet. They include the Turning the Tide series; Mary’s Guardian, Charlotte’s Angel, Tangled Secrets and Truly Free. Two of her earlier novels, Suzannah’s Gold and Rebecca’s Dream, were re-released by EBP.  Next of Kin was released in 2015 by Rhiza Press and the sequel, Beyond the Fight, was released in 2016. Most recently, with the help of Book Whispers, Carol has re-released Price of Peace, the third novel in the Oakes Family Saga which includes Suzannah’s Gold and Rebecca’s Dream. You can see more about Carol and her novels on her website, her Amazon author page or FB author page.

www.carolpreston.com.au

www.amazon.com/author/carolpreston

www.facebook.com/writingtoreach