Welcome to the Blog Party Everyone! We are celebrating writing, reading, and each other! Join in and win an autographed book!
Glyn and Peggy are winners of Irene's book! Congratulations! It pays to play! (email me, please)
Joy Collins returns for an encore. As I said on 12th, Joy and I get together fairly often to talk shop. Like everyone else, we email, but getting together for lunch and showing each other proof books or whatever else adds a dimension to working as colleagues.
I asked Joy to return today to highlight team writing. Joy teamed with Joyce Norman to write Coming Together. I find it interesting that Joy and Joyce have never met. Maybe with the internet that is less unusual.
When Joy and I had lunch the weekend before the blog party one of the first things I ask was what was it like to team write. Her answer goes beyond team writing, it fits with working with an editor, a literary agent, a publisher, PR firm, just about anything in this industry. Joy said: 1) You have to get over the idea that every word is priceless and not worry about rewrites; 2) You have to check your ego at the door. Good stuff, Joy.
Coming Together is set in Brazil, the opening scene involves police kicking in a door, orphans, and the women who care for them.** (Got you hooked, didn't I?) The same thing happened to me.
Coming Together is a love story. A story of foreign intrigue. A story of the coming together of cultures, of passion, and, most of all, of unbelievable hope in the face of staggering odds. This is also a story of choices, hard choices, where life and death are constant reminders of making the wrong decisions. Lives are at stake when Daisy, Luis, and Isabella take on the Brazilian dictatorship in order to bring freedom and a future to those who matter most. It was written for the heart and spirit in all of us. You will not soon forget this book.
Joy in Arizona and Joyce in Alabama queried the ms and were accepted by a small publisher. When the contract terms were read, the two decided to create their own small press, Chalet Publishers, LLC. The books are printed in Arizona and Alabama, which has proven to work well for them. This book is only a month or two old, so it is practically hot off the press.
Party Game: In one line or two, make up what might happen in that scene I set above **. Joy is a pro at the blog party now, so ask her questions about team writing, about creating a small press, or ask her about Coming Together, today's prize.
This is the place to party without worrying about typos in the comments (who cares?) -- this is after all, only the FIRST DRAFT.
**If you need help navigating blogger, here are some basic instructions: http://nadinelaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-few-basics.html
The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
Good morning, World!
ReplyDeleteThe Senior Officer, Mike Gonzales, takes a deep breath but even he wasn't prepared for the scene that greeted him and his colleagues... "Mother!"
ReplyDeleteOK, poor attempt, but lets get this party started!
Carrie
Good one, Carrie. Who else has an idea? There is no wrong answer.
ReplyDeleteWhen the door burst open, she held the child closer. Her steely gaze met the intruders and they found their match.
ReplyDeleteHmm... not much better, but I'll keep trying!
Carrie
The room is seedy, the wallpaper peeling and patches of damp seeping through. The thin wailing of a child cracks the tension...
ReplyDeleteNah - I'm still not bringing this to life!
Carrie
No comment on that, but I'm glad you are back from holiday. It is nice to have someone to chat with.
ReplyDeleteWow, Carrie you have no competition yet.
ReplyDeleteMorning. Bit of a late start but I had other writing stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou can see my new blog at
http://glynpope.blogspot.com/
Can I say how thrilled I am to win yesterdays book, I would like to thank all that made it possible, my mother father grandmother grandfather and of course not leaving out my trusty dog.
Right enough with the silliness.
I'm not a memoir reader like this so its the best prize for me. I know as well that my wife is going to love it.
Who knows it may lead me to write a book called
'Eating Donkey Meat and Other Memoirs'
I think I'm sounding flippant.
I really do appreciate and I shall wait with baited breath for the post to arrive.
Much love to Irene.
Glyn
Hello Glynn! Where is everyone today? Is it a holiday somewhere? I know Nad has gone for a sleep.
ReplyDeleteAnd you missed out someone very important in your thanks list you know... the bride's mother! You'll be in trouble for that one. :-)
Carrie
Hello, party fellows!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your books, Glyn nand Peggy! Carrie, your lines difficult to outmatch, but I'll come up with something shortly!
Greetings!
Hi I'm around. I'm sure things will take off soon.
ReplyDeleteThe youngest boy started to cry and gripped stronger onto the woman's shirt. Her eyes widened at the sight of Officer T. A heavy sigh escaped her mouth as he cut the distance between them in three quick steps.
ReplyDelete"I thought you'd never come," she whispered through tears.
good morning! What a pleasant surprise to wake up to another book win! Nadine - you have my address from my other win, but I'll shoot you another one :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll think some for today's game...big wedding tomorrow and I'm taking care of last minute details with the beautiful bride (my youngest step daughter)
xxoo
Golly Ivana, I think you need to write the next 79790words. Let me know when you finish.
ReplyDeleteGlyn
Glyn, don't give me any more ideas, I'm having troubles finishing my own stuff before switching to a completely different idea.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read your memoir. I've read your blog today. Can't have enough of Muse. And I can't believe the tickets are so expensive! (Is that expensive in your terms? It sounds beyond exorbitant to me!)
I could afford it, but I wouldn't be very happy.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun. Here's another one.
ReplyDeleteHer heart sunk. It was not the one whom she expected to see. Every hope she had evaporated from this abys of mysery. She locked her arms around the child, took a deep breath and looked up to meet the eyes of the man pointing a gun at her.
Oh my G-d. I didn't expect him to be pointing a gun at her!
ReplyDeleteCarry on.
Nah, I like the first scenario better. Besides, Nadine said one line or two, not entire paragraph. Why don't you try some?
ReplyDeleteWow - oh dear, I'm going to have to try a lot harder if I want to win! Heh heh.
ReplyDeleteRight... hm...
Suddenly the air was split by the raging scream of a jet engine - too close for comfort! The police looked up and the children cowered in terror.
Oh dear - that's not very ... oh well, I'll keep trying!
When the door fell to the floor Maria stood up immediately - still clutching the infant Orlando in her arms. "How dare you!" she addressed the confused officer who entered the room... obviously expecting something other than the scene which met his puzzled gaze.
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Nadine came in to room, her face contorted with fury after looking at what Ivana, Glyn, Complete Trainer and Carrie had written and screamed, 'What's going on here? Get on with some serious creative writing!' Her voice sank to a sinister whisper, 'This is not a party. You are not here to enjoy yourselves.' The writers shook with terror.
ReplyDeleteNow, if that isn't a winner.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is, Glyn! I wonder what Joy and Joyce think about these rewrites :) Who got closest to what really happens?
ReplyDeleteMaria emerged from the floor, her eyes raging with fury about this rude intrusion.
ReplyDelete"Where is he?", the officer snapped at her.
His voce lapsed to silence when her eyes slowly turned to a spot behind him. A touch of cold metal on his temple sent a wave of shudders throughout his body.
"Don't move or I'll shoot."
Oh yeh, the new Ian Fleming and Len Deighton rolled into one.
ReplyDeleteI know only Ian Fleming. Can't wait for Nadine to see your lines, hehe.
ReplyDeleteGood morning again. I'll be right back with the coffee!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteOh - I like that last one Ivana.
Carrie.
Glyn... we all shake in anticipation of Nadine's response now... oooer!!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie/Completetrainer (one and the same)
Wow, I'm just joining in and I see you guys have been busy already.
ReplyDeleteThere is some great stuff here.
I think I'm partial to Ivana's offering.
What really happens in the book is sad, though. Three children get taken by the police and whisked off to the state orphanage - a place that is like something out of the old back and white movie institutions.
And the heroine of the book is tightly involved in all of this.
This was a fun book to write.
Good morning, Joy! I'm going to bow out while our youngest launches on a 2,800 solo drive to university...be back later...
ReplyDeleteYeh I do like Ivana's
ReplyDeleteGlyn, um, I read what you wrote, do you really think I would SCREAM LIKE THAT????
ReplyDelete(kidding) This is a party, so...
let's rock!
It is interesting to read the switching of the protagonist in these.
ReplyDeleteI just thought we could misbehave while you were away!
ReplyDeleteRight! The policeman shouted. Who's birthday is it? And he slowly started to strip...
ReplyDeleteOK, probably not funny... but I keep trying!
Carrie
Glyn, misbehave all you like, it isn't a reflection on me...
ReplyDeleteHowever, my typos are. Please note I misspelled Rita's last name incorrectly and it has been corrected.
Carrie, that one is the funniest today! But there are children in the room! ROFL
ReplyDeleteNadine, best wishes for a safe trip to your son!
Ivy, I don't think Carrie needs much encouragement. I know for a fact that Glyn doesn't. So you have to stay with me and help watch these two.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the personal note, Ivy. I cried. Better now.
ReplyDeleteJoy, would you consider team writing again with another writer?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to do, believe me. I don't mean to imply that it's not. It's fun. But you really have to learn to keep your feelings in check. After all, every word is precious, isn't it? And no one sees your characters the way you do.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, I would consider it again if the right story presented itself and I felt a connection with my co-author. You really have to be on the same page with each other [pun intended!].
If you don't at least basically see eye to eye on the approach to the story, it will be a battle every day and who needs that? Writing is not easy but it should at least be enjoyable, if not downright fun.
Hi, Joy. Good to see you again.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun day!
Erin
My mom cried too when I was moving to the town where I study, though it's barely 100 km from home, and I was home every second weekend. It's a milestone in a person's life. She was proud of me. Hope she still is :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see you again, Erin and Joy, too.
I can't imagine what it would be like to have a co-author. As you said, each person has a different imagery and point of view. Have you been to Brasil like Susan went to Tuscany?
I started to team write once. I learned a couple of things from that. One is the committment levels have to match. I'm a bit driven. So it wouldn't work for me to work with someone who writes more as a hobby, or at least isn't committed to that story.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd think it would be important to be able to write in a matching voice, unless there were two protagonist and each person wrote of one of them, then they worked together on the bridge and storyline items. Even, thinking about it further, I would think there would need to be a shared sense of pacing.
It seems to me that it would take a good match and committment to team write.
The commitment is a big issue with me, too. I started writing Second Chance as a team with a friend. We had two stories we were going to weave together. But she was not as driven as I was and only did a little bit. I gave it a few months and then just gave up, deleted her part, and went on alone.
ReplyDeleteComing Together was totally different. Joyce and I match in temperament and driven-ness. :>)
I haven't finished reading Coming Together (something about a blog party...), but what I have read is seamless. That really struck me. I can see your hand in there, but at the same time, the voice is unique.
ReplyDeleteI think my first person present tense style would be hard to team with for most people. I do try to change, but the editor would probably kill me.
Nadine, I got to say, your style is contagious. I wrote a whole passage yesterday in first person present tense.
ReplyDeleteOoops! Sooooreee!
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize, I think the present tense added a new dimension to the action. But I really don't feel like going back and changing it! Maybe the next thing.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to tell you a story on this tomorrow...scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "seamless" compliment. It was important to us that it not look like 2 people wrote it.
ReplyDeletePeople who know me tell me they just "know" one line or the other was mine but that it isn't obvious.
The only novel I know written as a pair is 'I Want' by Adrian Henri and Nell Dunn. Adrian Henri was a well known Liverpool poet Nell a very well known UK writer. Her books were made into movies. I Want tells of a couple who go from teenage passion to moving apart, commuicating by letter, always keeping in touch but their love is unrequited as one of them dies.
ReplyDeleteVery very moving.
We see lots of team writing scripts for television series, especially in SciFi. It just seems like it would be much more difficult with a novel. I'm glad it was a good experience for you, Joy.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound sad, Glyn. Seems to be an unrequited love theme lately...
I Want was written in 1970.
ReplyDeleteI met Adrian Henri in a bar in 1972.
He was in with the Liverpool Beat poets such as Roger McGough et al.
Glyn,
ReplyDeleteThat was a shadowy remark about your characters in your book, unrequited love of the grandparents, wasn't it?
Joy,
ReplyDeleteYou and Joyce set up a small press for Coming Together. What was that like? We talked about LLC issues. How hard was it to find a printer?
(LLC is limited liability company, not as complicated as being a corporation, but registered with the state where the business is located -- in the US)
We formed the LLC because we wanted control over the entire production of the book. But that means all the problems are ours, too. We have to be on top of every issue. The learning curve was tremendous. Finding a printer was a little hard - Joyce found one in AL that she liked but we had to iron out some issues with them as well. Some of the first few books were less than acceptable.
ReplyDeleteThen, Amazon and Lightning Source [they sell to other vendors] was another issue. Realizing that they take a big portion of the profit up front was an eye opener. But it's all part of doing business.
I followed some bad advice on the pricing of my books and had to raise the listed cover price or there was no way I could sell through a third party. I still haven't taken the time to sort the info you gave me about getting back on amazon.
ReplyDeleteI agree the learning curve is huge. The solo managment is frustrating when vendors don't deliver. The real frustration for me is running a business cuts gorges into my own writing. That is fine for people who only have plans for one title, but to write more expands the business and its demands, thus reducing the time to do what I rather do - write.
I see I forgot to answer Ivy's question re Brazil.
ReplyDeleteNo, I have not been to Brazil but Joyce has. She was there many years ago when she had her own adoption experience. Many of the incidents are influenced by her experience and all the wonderful scenery and history of the area comes from her knowledge, experience, and exceptional note-taking. Joyce is a journalist by trade.
I've never been to Brazil - but I like the nuts!
ReplyDeleteHow is everyone? It's evening here in the UK now. I'm off to bed soon...
Carrie
Hey Carrie! I have an UK barcode question for you. Can we chat quickly?
ReplyDeleteThing is now I know what happens... it's hard to write anything that is even a shade good enough to follow up now!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Right I'm off to bed. CU all in the morning, French time that is.
ReplyDeleteGlyn
Goodnight, Glyn...sleep well!
ReplyDeleteI've been here...off for a nap, more party tomorrow.
ReplyDeletewell, it's midnight here and I'm on break, gotta keep the masses moving. So far so good tonight, nothing major to repair.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make this statement, I'm not paranoid, people have been out to get me for years.