Co-Authoring, How To?

[PreOwned]

A friend, (female), and I, (male), want to Co-Author some adult stories, in hopes of incorporating male, and female porn preferences/styles into a single story that works equally well for both sexes. But, while we both possess decent writing skill, neither of us has any idea how to approach Co-Authoring--the division of labor, and what ever other peculiarities are part of the process. If anyone has any advice, or knows of a good online guide to this stuff, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Preowned

 

[sr71plt]

I coauthor with Sabb here (as Shabbu--and as Stephen Kessel as well as Shabbu in the market with e-books). We opened a separate Lit. account for the collaboration author. Usually one of us flips out a paragraph providing a dilemma, and then we each take one or more character and write chapters back and forth in those characters' perspective, with each chapter continuing the story. We have a general idea what the conclusion is through side discussions on it. As some point, I usually put an ending on it and then go through the whole thing to pull all of the threads into order. We both review for technicals. He's on the East Coast of Australia and I'm on the East Coast of the United States.

The book relaunched today, The Forever Man (you can see a summary/excerpt/cover in the Literotica Authors sticky at the top of the Authors Hangout forum), arose from my latest visit to Sydney, Australia, where I saw "Forever" written on sidewalks throughout the city. I asked Sabb about this, and the book started off with the urban legend about this. We added in an element from an Edgar Allen Poe legend as well, which then mirrored where we both live.

Our writing styles are similar, which is what got us matched up in the first place. He's a publisher, so that solves the issue in the marketplace, and I'm a book editor, so accustomed to development editing. We split profit. The only major issue we've encountered is that I work about four times faster than he does and have trouble giving him space to take the plotline for the distance of his turn.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Recently, there was a writing challenge here in the Author's Hangout. I paired up with Blind_Justice and we co-wrote an exciting tale.

As for division of labor...I didn't a quick outline and then we divided the sections between us. There was a lot of PM's between us and a few conversation on gmail chat. Our styles complemented each other and we edited each others work.

11K words later we had a finished piece.

Was it easy? Not really. Was it difficult? Not really.

It was not only fun, but we found we complimented each other. I was a stickler for getting the details right. ie. timelines, places, people, things. Blind was a stickler for the story. He was a delight to work with and I kind of learned a lot from him. He has said the same about me, whether it's true or not, I don't know, but his words were kind.

While we didn't win the contest...it was a contest among us authors...we didn't do to badly.

If you would like to see the final product...look here.

I don't know of any books that would help, you just have to work things out between yourselves.

Good luck and most of all...have fun.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I've co-authored several stories, including one with Xelliebabe for the contest Zeb mentioned. Co-authoring can be an interesting experience. There's not a "right" or "wrong" way to do it.

I enjoy allowing my characters to surprise me as I write. I don't do extensive backgrounds on them before I start writing. I get a feel for them and start writing, allowing them to inform along the way. If I have to go back and edit something after learning something new, that's what I do.

Best advice might be - just start. Write a section of the story, send it off to your partner, and give them a chance to add to it. Try to write in relatively equal chunks of approximately 500-1000 words. Decide how much editing you're going to do of each other's writing. In general, I was excited to see what my co-author was going to with whatever I left for them and vice versa.

 

[lovecraft68]

In the same contest the others mentioned, and my only experience co-authoring a full story, I learned that my style is not easy to work with. I binge write, I write by the seat of my pants and change directions like people change clothes.

Something that may help you is to try role playing first and pick a very simple premise....Boss and Secretary and write your opening send it to her, let her write her characters take and actions then go back and forth

If you want to see some good examples of it there is a sexual role playing forum and they are open to the public to read.

Sean Renaud and Ldy Sea are two of the best so check into anything they are involved in.

 

[PreOwned]

sr71plt ~

Thank you for the practical advice. The alternating perspective thing seems imminently sensible. We aim, (at least initially), to work on a short format effort, but your advice should be easily scaleable to such.

And as an entrepreneur, I too have encountered that disparity-in-the-rate-of-widget-production gremlin; been on both sides of it, and neither is very comfortable. Don't feel lonesome!

PreOwned

 

[PreOwned]

Zeb_Carter ~

As the Pern whorls, eh? Me too, though that takes me back a bit! I am also a fan of Time-Travel tales, and Post Apocalyptic stuff--The Stand being the work I cut my teeth on, and the standard by which most such tales have subsequently been found lacking. We may overlap in our kink preferences as well--cuckoldry, maternal incest themes--though I won't presume to read too much into your choice of topics for the market.

Anyhow, thanks for the comments. I can see the value in your playing to your and your partner's strengths while writing. Hopefully my partner and I will find similar complementary skills/habits.

PreOwned

 

[PreOwned]

BuckyDuckman ~

I like your thinking on it. The fun will be found in savoring my partner's surprises, no doubt, and since her kinks, and voice complement my own, I think that taking what the other offers will come naturally. My concern is the narrative voice. I see this thing being in 3rd person, but the inconsistencies in our respective narrative passages, (as opposed to dialogue), seem like a possible source of off-key-ness. Guess by splitting up editorial duties we might minimize that stuff.

I like your writing style quite a bit. Very engaging. I'm a cuckold fan, so I'll be reading those stories on your page soon. Thanks for the help.

PreOwned.

 

[PreOwned]

Lovecraft68

Hmm. Role playing. I had not considered that, but it seems like an excellent idea. I've not done any of it either, so I stand to learn a lot there I'm thinking. Thank you for your thoughts. And I don't want to sound critical, really, that's not my style. But seriously, you might want to get that dog looked at; might be coming down with something.

PreOwned

 

[lovecraft68]

Lovecraft68

Hmm. Role playing. I had not considered that, but it seems like an excellent idea. I've not done any of it either, so I stand to learn a lot there I'm thinking. Thank you for your thoughts. And I don't want to sound critical, really, that's not my style. But seriously, you might want to get that dog looked at; might be coming down with something.

PreOwned

Yeah I need to get my ass to the vet.

Bad doggie is my wife's nick name for me. I try to live up to it

 

[patientlee]

In the same contest the others mentioned, and my only experience co-authoring a full story, I learned that my style is not easy to work with. I binge write, I write by the seat of my pants and change directions like people change clothes.

He's totally not kidding. I couldn't keep up with him. xelliebabex is a better woman than I am.

 

[Swilly]

Like a few others, xelliebabex and I co-authored a story in that contest. (Shameless plug-we won the unofficial contest). The story is here:

http://www.literotica.com/s/the-rhythm-method

What we did was bounce about a few ideas of what the basic story would be, then selected one. Ellie had a bunch of good ideas; I was lucky to have one. Once we had a very loose framework, we started to write, each of us took a turn and then passed the story along to the other. We tried to set some minimum...or maximum limit...about 500 words, but quickly found that on most days we'd do a bit more than that. We'd review what the other person had done before writing and discuss any issues. For the great majority of the story, not only were we on board with the other person's work, but we were apt to be very impressed with a new idea or story line.

It was an incredible experience. I had a lot of fun with it.

As pl said, Ellie was awesome. I don't know how she did it, because she was working with several people at once on these stories. That was quite an impressive work load, especially considering that she participated in what I believe were the two longest stories.

 

[PreOwned]

Uh-oh. Better be careful, 'fore I start a ruckus.

 

[PreOwned]

Swilly ~

Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm curious though: how did you deal with the constant changes in voice? Were they obvious, or problematic?

PreOwned

 

[Swilly]

Swilly ~

Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm curious though: how did you deal with the constant changes in voice? Were they obvious, or problematic?

PreOwned

If you read the story, I don't think they are all that apparent. In fact, at this point I have trouble remembering who wrote what in many cases, so that tells you something. Now, I will say that I took the majority of the editing on my shoulders, and I think that helped with the transition. The contest was supposed to be anonymous until the winners were announced, and Ellie was perhaps the lone Aussie among the contestants. In an effort to disguise that funny way the Aussies speak (just kidding, Ellie), I did the editing to ensure that we were writing in American English.

 

[lovecraft68]

If you read the story, I don't think they are all that apparent. In fact, at this point I have trouble remembering who wrote what in many cases, so that tells you something. Now, I will say that I took the majority of the editing on my shoulders, and I think that helped with the transition. The contest was supposed to be anonymous until the winners were announced, and Ellie was perhaps the lone Aussie among the contestants. In an effort to disguise that funny way the Aussies speak (just kidding, Ellie), I did the editing to ensure that we were writing in American English.

I recall an interesting conversation with Ellie about the difference between what pegging means here in the US and what it means where she's from.

Ours involves a strap on, her clothespins so very different.

But inspiring, it was the first time I'd used a "zip line" in a story.

 

[PreOwned]

Swilly ~

That is encouraging. I can see that allocating editorial control to one or the other might help with that. And then just having both writers on the same page, so to speak. Clear back-and-forth throughout the process seems like a good idea too, as others have noted. Thank you.

Preowned

 

[PreOwned]

lovecraft68 ~

Well, in Americanese, the combination of a Zip Line, and pegging in the same thought, conjures a funny, if cringe worthy and violent image. Excuse me, now I need to go google those terms in Aussiese.

PreOwned

 

[patientlee]

In fact, at this point I have trouble remembering who wrote what in many cases, so that tells you something.

My colleague and I wrote a Spanish curriculum like that. I have no idea who wrote what. One day I sent her a message raving about an activity she wrote because I never would have thought of something like that. Her response: That's good. You wrote it, dummy.

 

[lovecraft68]

lovecraft68 ~

Well, in Americanese, the combination of a Zip Line, and pegging in the same thought, conjures a funny, if cringe worthy and violent image. Excuse me, now I need to go google those terms in Aussiese.

PreOwned

My sex and violence lines tend to be a little blurred sometimes.

To clarify I do not right anything non consent, that stuff appalls me, but as long as its consenting I will write it-and enjoy it in real/life-as hard and rough as it can get.

 

[PreOwned]

lovecraft68 ~

Indeed, we are of a single mind on that score. Nonconsensual ANYthing, sexual, or otherwise, is anti-humanity, obnoxious, and just generally pisses me off.

 

[lovecraft68]

lovecraft68 ~

Indeed, we are of a single mind on that score. Nonconsensual ANYthing, sexual, or otherwise, is anti-humanity, obnoxious, and just generally pisses me off.

Yes, there's a handful of us here who don't find rape(female or male) amusing.

By the way, you sounded familiar and I realized I had a car named after you!

 

[PreOwned]

Well, I was thinking in terms of my relationship with a cuckoldress in years gone by, but yours connotation works fine too I think. No doubt you car was the more sane of the two.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Zeb_Carter ~

As the Pern whorls, eh? Me too, though that takes me back a bit! I am also a fan of Time-Travel tales, and Post Apocalyptic stuff--The Stand being the work I cut my teeth on, and the standard by which most such tales have subsequently been found lacking. We may overlap in our kink preferences as well--cuckoldry, maternal incest themes--though I won't presume to read too much into your choice of topics for the market.

Anyhow, thanks for the comments. I can see the value in your playing to your and your partner's strengths while writing. Hopefully my partner and I will find similar complementary skills/habits.

PreOwned

You're welcome.

I cut my teeth, so to speak, on Heinlein. The Sixth Column was a favorite of a kind of post apocalyptic story. I actually watched a lot of Sci-Fi stuff, B movies mostly, that was post apocalyptic in nature. You know the ones where the mysterious comet passes and turns everyone into night stalkers or , and I hate to say this word as I really hate stories with them in it, zombies.

Well, good luck and happy writing.

 

[PreOwned]

You're welcome.

I cut my teeth, so to speak, on Heinlein. The Sixth Column was a favorite of a kind of post apocalyptic story. I actually watched a lot of Sci-Fi stuff, B movies mostly, that was post apocalyptic in nature. You know the ones where the mysterious comet passes and turns everyone into night stalkers or , and I hate to say this word as I really hate stories with them in it, zombies.

Well, good luck and happy writing.

Thank you, I'll need some, no doubt. You have piqued my curiosity with your icon; is that a Rottweiler/Burnese Mt. Dog mix? Handsome whatever it is.