"The Greatest Treasure is the One Given Away"
Many years ago, a gem of an idea for a short story to be included in a collection came to mind. I discussed it with my niece Julie Reece-DeMarco (we had co-authored several highly successful gift books). She pointed out that the idea was too good for just a short story. We brainstormed ways to expand, then I tossed the notes in a "consider-after-meeting-pending-book-deadlines" file.
Months later I dug out the notes. Excited, I asked Julie if she would like to co-author. Many of the best expansion ideas were. She enthusiastically agreed. We began writing, observing eight important ground rules that make the difference between co-authoring a delight or a disaster.
1. Find someone
whose "writing heart" matches yours. Discuss your core values and
what you want readers to take away from your project.
2. Choose a co-author with equal dedication to high, professional standards—one who will never settle for less than the best writing.
3. Vow to work until
you are both satisfied. Julie and I spent a great deal of time "getting
it right," even concerning a certain word or phrase.
4. Never co-author with anyone who sees
his/her work as carved in stone.
5.
Handle
"unequally yoked" appropriately. When I co-authored with new writer
Anita Corrine Donihue (now a best-selling devotional book author) she
brought her gift book entries to me. We discussed and I polished. Julie,
however, had already won writing awards. She was able to produce
near-final-drafts. She also "red-penned" my work and invariably made
good even better!
6. Have a clear
understanding that the project must represent
both authors. Julie's and my
novella, The Heirloom,
combines our best talents. Its almost-lyrical voice is neither hers nor
mine, but truly "ours”.
7. Never partner with a writer who "wants to be a writer," but doesn’t really want to write, just to be published.
8. Discuss financial
arrangements and other details up-front. Example: My name
would be listed first on book covers because I was the more established author,
even though "Donihue" comes before “Reece” alphabetically.
* * *
The rest is history. When Kregel issued The Heirloom in 2002, as a beautiful, color-illustrated, hard cover, coffee table novella, one reviewer compared it to Catherine Marshall's beloved novel, Christy. The
title became a Crossing Book Club Selection and has just been reprinted
in Kindle and paperback by Forget-Me-Not-Romances/Winged Publications.
The premise is simple--and heartwarming.
The
Great Depression of 1929 has closed bank doors and forced people out of
work, paralyzing many parts of the country. The tiny mountain town of
Spruce Hollow, North Carolina, hasn't escaped its crippling grip.
When
Thanksgiving arrives, Pastor David Allen looks over his faithful
congregation in despair. How can families with holes in their shoes and
no food to put on the table be thankful during the holiday season? But
David has no idea how God will use him to give hope to those in the
Hollow and beyond.
An
unforgettable tale of struggle, hope, and incredible events by
award-winning authors at their best in a fictional story that could well
be true.
5 comments:
Good advice for anyone considering co-authoring a book. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Co-authoring can be a boon or a bust. Both my experiences have been great!
Reading it right now!!Love the cover! :)
Wise words re co-authoring. I co-authored some nonfiction pieces in the past, and my writing partner expressed concern before we began that our friendship might suffer. Just talking about those things in advance made all the (positive) difference. I'm glad you had the opportunity to republish The Heirloom. The new incarnation is a handsome (lovely cover), compact (read it in two sittings) embodiment of "all things work together."
Thanks, Renee and Judy. This one is special to Julie and me.
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