CAN COLLABORATING RUIN A FRIENDSHIP?
They say that friends should never live together or start a business, because it’ll ruin the friendship. We’ve seen it happen. Good buddies who decide to split the rent on a nice apartment, only to find themselves at each other’s throat within a couple of months. A pair of lifelong pals who start a restaurant or an online venture and eventually wind up on opposite sides of a nasty lawsuit.
So when Brett Battles suggested that we write a book together, I found myself hesitating. Just for a moment. The idea seemed like a good one—a great one, in fact—and after that initial hesitation, I readily agreed. But a quiet, somewhat nervous voice in my head kept saying to me, “What if this doesn’t work?”
Brett and I have known each other for several years now. We met online through our blogs and through Killer Year, the author collective that Brett founded with a few of our friends. There were about thirteen of us, and we all had debut thrillers coming out in 2007, so we decided to band together, brand ourselves, and cross promote. And for a while there, Killer Year was kind of a big thing in the thriller world.
At Thrillerfest Arizona, the first and (to my mind) the best of the Thrillerfests, Brett and I finally met in person and found ourselves bonding like brothers. In fact, people sometimes mistake us for brothers, which amuses—and sometimes annoys—both of us. So, several solo books later, we agreed it was time to collaborate.
But what would the book be about?
It took us nearly two years to figure it out. We kicked around a couple of ideas—one based on an old TV pitch of mine called LINGER—but neither of them caught fire. Then one day Brett said, “Hey, you know that series concept you had about a kick-ass female bounty hunter who gets recruited to infiltrate a women’s prison in Europe? Why don’t we do that one?”
I did remember, of course. It was one of those back burner ideas that I’d never gotten around to writing, so it seemed like the perfect fit for us.
The question, however, was how exactly were we going to do this? I still had the niggling concern about ruining our friendship, because, let’s face it, we’re both pretty opinionated guys. What would we do if we got in the middle of this thing and started to clash on the direction of the story?
But the immediate question was logistics. We have friends who have collaborated by using Google Docs, working live, over the web, writing and rewriting at the same time. But that process seemed like a nightmare. And since sitting down side by side was pretty much impossible—we live in different cities—how would we write this damn thing? Would we alternate chapters? And what about the difference in writing styles? Would it be evident to the reader?
What we ultimately decided to do was alternate drafts. The idea was conceived as a series from the very beginning, so we’d make sure to do a detailed outline first (something neither of us do when working solo), then one of us would take the outline and run with it, hammering out a first draft.
Once that draft was done (with a lot of phone calls in between), the other would come in and do a rewrite, then the final polish would be left in the hands of the original writer. And with the next book, we’d simply reverse roles.
It was a good strategy, but I was still concerned about possible friction between us. To his credit, Brett says he was never worried about it, but I had been in a couple of less than perfect collaborative situations in the past, and was a little gun shy. So, right from the start I told Brett that we both needed to check our egos at the door. We needed to treat this book as if it were a solo project and be as ruthless with each other’s writing as we are with our own—no hard feelings allowed.
Brett agreed, and fortunately, my concerns turned out to be much ado about nothing. The process was so smooth and conflict free that it seemed almost effortless. From the very beginning Brett and I were in agreement on every scene, every character motivation, every plot conflict, and when one of us came up with a change, the other readily welcomed it.
Voice was also never a problem. It got to the point where we’d read a draft and couldn’t remember who had written what.
In many ways, the collaborative process was better than writing solo because I now had a sounding board that was just as invested in the outcome as I was. And through it all, we’ve still managed to remain friends. Good friends. In fact, we’re both looking forward to working together again, writing the next book in the series.
So I guess Brett and I are proof that what “they” say isn’t always true.
Or maybe we just got lucky.
I met both Rob and Brett at that first Thrillerfest in Arizona and I concur–it was the best conference ever. Rob and Brett are both amazing men and talented writers. I’m so excited they came to visit today at Murder HE Writes! You can check out their websites and books here: Rob, Brett — ask any question you want! They’ll both be around to chat. I for one was fascinated by this process — especially how two organic writers ended up plotting out a book together!
Yes, you are lucky you didn’t destroy a friendship! I suspect you two are the exception to the rule. My husband doesn’t read my work, and I’ve learned not to read his. We have to live with each other!
I don’t ask friends to read my work or offer to critique others’ work. I critiqued ONCE with disastrous results. I still mourn the loss of that friendship.
My husband reads my books — after they are in print (I give him one of my early author copies.) I have asked for some brainstorming input in things he knows a lot about (like when I was trying to figure out how to use Indian gaming in California to launder money for a lobbyist, or setting information about Montana since he went to MSU for college) but I don’t have him read early drafts. He’s also a writer (not fiction) and we tend to clash. He’s a plotter, I’m not. He thinks I need to know everything that’s going to happen, I don’t. We could never write together. But I’d read anything he wrote.
Great post!
Collaborating on a project or going into business with a friend takes commitment, a hell of a lot of trust, respect, open communication–and not just the cliche variety….hey, this sounds like the same elements needed for a strong marriage. 🙂
I’ve seen friendships destroyed, however, and they weren’t even writing a book together, it was a critique partnership.
I’ve been extremely blessed to have two critique partners that treat my work as I do theirs, as if it were their own (and mine), and we are brutally honest with each other. Would I work with them on a book? I would confidently say, yes, as I trust our friendship is strong enough to withstand the collaboration.
As you said, Rob, check your egos at the door, is the best advice you can dole out to anyone who is contemplating doing this.
I have a few books to start before reading Poe, but I am looking forward to reading how your voices become one. Congrats!
Wonderful insight on how a collaborative effort should work. I have wonderful critique partners–two of them who have read every word I’ve ever written, for public consumption, at least. They are both writers and I rely heavily on their input–they’ve made each story better.
However, I’ve been reticent to jump into the total collaboration thing. But, now, I just might give it a try….Personally, I think it would be fun…a challenge no doubt, but fun. And it would make writing much less solitary….which, on occasion, would be nice.
Kendra, I’m not sure we’re the exception—there are a lot of successful co-writing teams (including some we don’t know about, they write under one name)—but I certainly understand the risks, and I’m well aware that it doesn’t work for everyone. Hence, my initial hesitation.
Deborah, there’s nothing better than a good critique partner, and Brett has always been someone I could bounce ideas off of, so taking that next step seemed natural.
Oh, I also wanted to note that if you don’t see Brett in here today, it’s because he’s currently traveling overseas and may not have immediate access to the Internet. I’m sure he’ll stop in if he gets the chance, however.
Thanks, Selena. Hope you enjoy POE! 😉
I find it very interesting that your voices melded into one voice. Are your solo books similar in tone, style, and voice? Or was this something that organically happened in the process of collaboration?
I’ve got POE on my radar now. 😀 –once I get through the 13 contest entries I’m judging and my own deadlines. Jiminy, I can’t wait to start reading for pleasure again. 😆
Allison, I don’t usually let my wife read anything of mine until it’s in print, mostly because I’m very protective of my work and have a very fragile ego… 😉
Silver, I’ve always thought that Brett and I have similar writing styles, but I think there’s a clear difference in our solo work. I’m not quite sure why we melded together so well, but I suppose it’s like two singers discovery that perfect blend when they sing harmony.
Are you conscious that when you start a series and readers invest in the characters that you then have to follow it through? So now you have to stick with your new writing partner even more so? 😀
Just read the excerpt chapters – looks/sounds great, think I may have to treat myself to this one! The hardship 😀
Willa, we’re well aware of our commitment. The pressure, the pressure! 😉
This could very well lead to commitment me thinks! 😀
Of the strait jacket variety 😀
Oh – and is there any romance in the series . . . ?
The first one largely takes place in a women’s prison, Willa, but we’re leaving the door open for Alex to find romance in the future. Perhaps with one of her two male co-stars…
A love interest always makes a thriller better 🙂
What? No romance in the women’s prison? 😉
Well, I don’t want to spoil anything, but… 😉
Robert and Brett, I enjoy both of your’s solo work so I can’t wait to get this joint endeavor. Nice to know some sayings are false and you were able to work together.
Thanks, Jill! I hope you enjoy it.
I’m reading it – about 44% through – and it seems to have a voice different from both of yours individually and seems seamless. It’s also pretty damned good.
You’re too kind, Mark. Thanks!
Finally getting on line, and must say it’s all lies. Rob is a nightmare. I ended up doing the whole project on my own and HAD to slap his name on it under threat of lawsuit. What a bastard!
Actually, it was great. So much so, I am, truthfully, looking forward to the next installment of our POE series!
Sorry Brett — you were held up in moderation last night! I freed you 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Loved how the two of you found each other and are able to work together.
I think it is rare that two people work that well together and sound enough alike to make it seamless. Congrats! Can’t wait to read the book.
Thanks, BJ. Of course, there’s always the next book. Who knows what’ll happen. 😉
Great post
What an interesting post! I cannot even imagine the logistics of this project. Amazing. But sounds like you two feed off each other’s creative energy, so that is the engine behind it. Thanks for sharing your experience.