How many co-author

[CJWilkes]

I have been co-authoring and I would like to know how many of you have and what is your experience?

[gogoshire]

I am in the process of editing a novel I co-authored. It was a fabulous experience and after we get this edited and sent out, we're ready to start on a new project together.

I have also co-authored 2 plays - those were not very good experiences, but it has to do with the people, not the project, I believe.

[Jamesaritchie]

I have been co-authoring and I would like to know how many of you have and what is your experience?

I have, but won't again. "Twice the work for half the money and a quarter of the fun" just about sums it up for me.

It just isn't something I enjoy, even when the co-writer is wonderful to work with. I want the blame or the credit, and I want to do things my way.

[Tish Davidson]

I have never written with a co-athtor, but I've been development editor for several multi-author projects and I've never worked harder for my money in my life. Getting multiple authors to agree to changes - eek!

[arrowqueen]

I'm with James. I've never done it, but it doesn't appeal. I like my own way far too much.

[DixieChic]

I've worked with a partner on several screenplays and it has always been an incredibly rewarding and creatively fulfilling process. Having a partner forced me to keep deadlines; after all, I had made a commitment to this person that I'd finish X,Y, and Z by a certain day. Also, our strengths complemented one another very well.

I worked twice as fast (we were separated by an eight-hour time difference during our last two projects, so while I slept, my partner worked and vice versa). And I was always excited to see what my partner had added to the story each day.

I will say that you have to choose your writing partner VERY carefully. It should be someone you respect, with whom you can work, discuss, argue, laugh and still be able to look one another in the eye at the end of the day . . . or the chapter. I feel very lucky to have found such a remarkable writer with whom to work, and I'm not sure I would necessarily reach out to someone else and attempt to create the same kind of partnership.

[stace001]

I agree with Dixie completely. When you find someone you work extremely well with, it can be a fabulous, and exciting experience.

I have a development editor working with me on my manuscript at the moment and its the most rewarding thing i've done for my writing...ever. He's patient, caring, and his ideas and insight have been a godsend for my story. We've been having a great time developing my story, playing around with it, and making it all it can be. We're on opposite sides of the world too, but that hasn't stopped us working together on it.

I say to all of those who've done it in the past, thank you. If you were even a fraction of the help mine has been to me, you've done a great thing. And for those who are thinking about it...it could be the most rewarding experience you've had, other than writing your own novel.