Team Work

If you've had trouble writing by yourself--and it is such a lonely job, isn't it?--consider team writing. I've just finished Dixie Cash's I Gave You My Heart, but You Sold it Online. Dixie Cash is the pen name for sisters Pamela Cumbie and Jeffery McClanahan. http://www.dixie-cash.com/. Those girls know Texas!

One of the devotionals I turn to from time to time, God Calling, was edited by A. J. Russell but written anonymously by "two poor, brave women [who] were courageously fighting against sickness and penury. . .facing a hopeless future" when they heard God's encouraging promises spoken to their hearts. They wrote together and have blessed many. (Quote from the introduction, "The Two Listeners")

Brock and Bodie Thoene are a husband and wife team who write historical fiction (http://www.thoenebooks.com/). Dave and Neta Jackson publish historical novels for young readers (http://www.trailblazersbooks.com/). Albert Hackett and wife Frances Goodrich have been described as one of the top husband wife writing teams in cinema.

I like the description about writing alone Ashton Applewhite shares in "About Me" on her blog, http://www.sowhenareyougoingtoretire.com/: "In the past, I've banged my head against the keyboard in solitude. . ." Isn't that the truth? In her book in progress, Applewhite is networking. Sounds like a good idea.

Just a thought. If you can't stand the idea of someone else taking your characters down a road you never intended, then you might find a quiet place you can write together independently, you on your work in progress, she on hers. That might work. Then you can share your work with your partner for critique and brainstorming.
11/10/08