Rebecca, so true. This past December was the first time we were in the room together, going page by page. And when one liked something that the other didn’t, that was usually the first thing we said: “Explain yourself.” Each one had to make her case.

We’d say that if we were proposing a certain direction for the character or the plot, too. But more often than not, we were either close to or on the same page.

The control can be a really tricky thing.

“I wonder though how you figure out that your styles work well together.”

Believe it or not, my writing partner started out as my freshman composition student about 8 years ago, and I’d mentored her throughout her undergraduate career. In fact, I’d convinced her to Minor in writing! Because she’d been taught by me, and learned rhetorically, she always knew where I was coming from. The Directed Study in Stylistics sealed it, I think. By the time we officially collaborated, we were reading each other’s stuff and stealing each other’s style on a regular basis, integrating bits of it into our own.

The more you study style, the more you start to pick it up. I’ve picked up on Aaron Sorkin’s style by sheer repetition of watching and loving The West Wing and everything else he’s written. I’m not deliberately trying to steal from him, it just sort of wended its way into my subconscious. John Mayer says he steals from Eric Clapton all the time. Tom Hanks admits to stealing from Denzel Washington.

“How could you test out a writing partner?”
I’d guess it’d be alittle like dating, although I have no idea who picks up the check.

Jodi, that’s an excellent question, and the answer is “Perhaps.” I don’t really have any point of comparison. I suppose there is something freeing in that we’re not communicating every day (although we’re in touch on a regular basis), nor are we in the same room day after day. We’re also not writing every day either. Interestingly, when I’m in writing mode, she’s not, and vice-versa. This is good because then the other can be a sounding board.

Also, we work very well when we’re in a constricted time frame to be in the room together and need to use that time wisely. I’m not nearly as disciplined solo as we were during this past December week, or the winter break a few years ago. We were incredibly productive, yet also found time to be leisure, which certainly contributed to our project. (We would’ve gotten even more done, but the blizzard forced her to leave earlier than originally planned.)

I wonder though how you figure out that your styles work well together. Whenever I have had co-authors for business type stuff there is a clear style we must adhere to so our own styles – except working habits – don’t really enter into the picture.

How could you test out a writing partner?
Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist´s last blog ..Evolution of a Novel

Do you think having the distance between you made it easier? I’ve been to meetings that dragged on and on going nowhere but once our deadline was in sight those same people buckled down in meetings and got the job done quickly. Do you feel if you had been able to see each other day after day that maybe you would have gone around in circles but knowing you only had limited time really made you focus?