By Michelle Griep, @MichelleGriep
It’s no secret I co-authored a book with my writerly buddy Kelly Klepfer. We had a hootenanny of a time. She’s ridiculous. I’m insane. Win, win, right? But even though it was a great experience, there were a few new tricks I learned to put into my writerly bag. Here are some tips if you’re considering co-authoring a book . . .
1. Don’t edit the other person’s voice to death.
This was my problem. Big time. I’m the sicko who happens to love to edit. Soup can labels, dog food bags, you name it and I’ll edit it. Generally this skill comes in handy, but not so much when I red-inked my buddy’s scenes. The beauty of having two authors in one book is that you get distinct voices. Resist the urge to make it sound like one.
2. Transitions are your new best friends.
When we finally put all of our scenes together, some of them didn’t mesh so well. Segues are a must, especially when there are two different voices. Just a sentence or two will do it at the beginning of each scene.
3. Have one main plotter.
Kelly worked out the big picture for the novel. Good thing, because too many authors’ ideas can spoil a novel. Not that we didn’t brainstorm together from time to time, but someone has to ultimately be in charge of steering the writerly ship. Select a captain and stick with it.
4. Have loads of grace and buckets of mercy.
Sometimes I screwed up a scene. Sometimes Kelly did. We both had to go back to the drawing board when our scene didn’t work for the other person. Know that’s part of the game ahead of time so tempers don’t flare.
5. Divvy up the marketing chores.
Just because you finish writing the book together doesn’t mean the work is over. That’s when marketing begins. Don’t weigh down your partner with the bulk of getting the word out. Do what you learned in preschool: share.
Would I do it again? Sure. Writing a book together is a fun adventure. Just make sure to do it with someone you love.
There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, and A Heart Deceived, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.