A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

Collaboration: A good idea for writers?

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“We should work together.”

‘Would you like to collaborate with me on ____?”

“It would be great if we worked on a project together.”

The list goes on.

Over the years, a dozen people have made various remarks like the ones above to me. I have always gotten excited. But I soon realized the above meant two things.

First, it would not pan out due to life, circumstances, and more.

Two, what people meant was this. They want me to do the work with input and ideas now and then from them. They want me to revise and edit the whole book with thoughts now and then from them. They want me to shop the manuscript to publishers with no input from them. They want me to do the bulk of promotion and marketing. They also want me to use my well-established author platform on their behalf while they enjoy what comes from it.

Hey, if I could convince someone to do that, I would climb aboard that train. Well, to a certain degree.

But, no.

Hmm. Let me be more clear on this topic. Hell no.

Either they don’t know how much work is necessary or they don’t want to do a share of it.

I understand. Doing this kind of work is not easy. It involves a lot of time and effort. Things I am willing to put into a collaboration with someone.

However, if you think I am going to do the bulk of the work and you put your name on that cover, you are delusional.

If someone is willing to work with me, that is awesome. I welcome it.

But until that moment arrives, I will stick to working on my own.

A blog about the topics of writing, Working on your writing craft

NanoWriMo Time: Reasons to give it a try

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This week began the month-long dash to write 50k words for November. This insane event is called NaNoWriMo for National November Writing Month.

It is a challenge like no other. After shying away from this competition, I tried it four times and won it four times.

Have you considered doing this event? I believe it is a win-win situation. In my mind, no such thing as failing at NaNoWriMo.

If you write something, anything, you have won. If you have met with people virtual, now because of the virus, join the forum, hung out with writers, you have won.

If you have exchanged ideas with others to help push the envelope forward toward your project, you have won.

Granted, people might feel if you don’t get the word count, you failed. You will have obsessive people like me who will make it work regardless because that is just how we are. I would not recommend that approach. LOLOL

My friend Robin has the best approach. She calls it NaNoWriMore. Her goal is to write more than she writes any given day. If she makes her goal, it is a win. NaNo is what you make it out to be. So what if your goal is different from completing the 50k words? What works for you is what works for you.

Being a writer is a solitary profession. You might have writing groups online or in real life, may hang out with them from time to time that beats the time when you are writing alone.

Some people like that. Some need the chatter of like-minded people with them a bit more often.

That is where NaNo comes in. It is a great way to hang out, even if it is virtual. It helps feeds us when it comes to writing. I know it does for me.

The buzz and excitement one can feel through the forum meetings. It is palpable.

While I did not compete this year, I am eyeing it for next year.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing ways

Are you a pantser or Plotter? : Be proud either or

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“Are you a plotter or a pantser?”

To be honest I never knew what those terms meant until I attended a local conference a few years ago. I knew about a fourth of the people in the room.

The speaker of the class I was attending asked our group that question.

Those around me pointed to me. The speaker chuckled.

“Which one is she?”

“Pantser!”

I was at a lost. I’m a pantser? What the hell is a pantser?

That is when I was educated on the two terms. Plotters are those who make an outline and plot their entire novel. Pantsers are writers who write by the seat of their pants. Also know as we don’t plot.

Yep, that is me. I rarely plot out a book let alone write a full outline for it. I will have in my head the general format of characters, plot lines and sceneries I need to get into. Nothing in great details. Just thoughts. I will generally know the beginning, the middle and the end to some degree.

I just never knew there was a term for people like this. I like it. I like it very much.

I just want to write. I love the feeling of writing without restrictions and rules of engagement that can come with writing. The freedom to take a book in any direction or to let characters decide for you and not be restricted to some outline is freeing. My best books come when the characters take over.

To be perfectly honest I just don’t want to be bothered until I am done the first draft of any novel I am working on. There will be plenty of time for edits, revisions, synopsis, naming the book and the whole kit and caboodle that comes with creating a book.

The pure joy that fills me as I write does not want to be interrupted. It is hard enough to get a novel into shape that it needs to be in. That is not so much joy. Why ruin the moment for me? More importantly why ruin it for my characters?

I’m a pantser. I wave that flag proudly.

The Musings of A New Englander