Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Books => Topic started by: Firemeboy on March 23, 2005, 11:47:27 AM
-
Has anybody ever tried writing a story or book with another person? What are the benefits? What are the challenges? Do the two or more authors just write different chapters or the book or would the change in voice be a pain for the reader?
Anybody had any experience?
-
It could be interesting for a story with two protagonists, especially if they are only partaly overlapping in their stories.
-
My brother has written a couple of movie scripts (none made into a movie yet) with a partner.
They found that the best way to overcome logistical problems as well as "voice" problems was to divide the story into parts, assign each part to one of the two, and have them write those parts on their own. Then exchange the written material for editing and give the editor completely free reign.
It seems likely that, for a novel, it would be useful to have the same guy originally write all the parts from a certain character's POV.
And, of course, there has to be a high expectation of good will and competence on the part of your partner.
-
Yeah, I've worked on a couple mutual projects, none have finished. You have to be sure the other person is as interested in getting it done as you are, but you both have to be really flexible in listening to the other ideas.
If I were to do another one, I think I'd do what Skar's brother does, change parts. Definitely do an outline together first.