Collaborative Fiction anyone?

Joanna · Jun 25, 2009

Hi, Im new to the site (firstpost!) but it looks really awesome!
My question is, maybe there is already an older thread for this: Is there a thread where people who are looking for one other special person to collaborate on a journey in writing some fiction, a place to just post their specs, what kind of story they're doing, what they enjoy so that hopefully there will be a response and some creativity can flourish between writers. Callaborating, to motivate eachother, to share ideas intimately, thats the kind of thing Im talking about.... does it exist here? Or is that kind of thing frowned apon?

Mumut · Jun 26, 2009

Someone will come in and answer your question soon. I'll just welcome you to AW.

mlazzer · Jun 26, 2009

I once embarked that train with a semi-known person. I think you need to have a shared view on fiction-writing and everything else also, and that might be hard to find through an "internet relationship." But that's just my 2 pennies.

Joanna · Jun 27, 2009

new question

Well I agree mlazzer, only am surprized ... but maybe not. Perhaps most writers are able to stay motivated on their own steam, or they do not wish to share potentially money-making ideas.

My main problem is I have several really good (IMHO) ideas but no discipline. perhaps, if not one to one full collaboration, is there an area of a this site where you can share an idea and other writers will help you, for example to get a scene started off, or a fictional conversation, or give advice on plot/narrative style appropriate to the idea?

Sometimes my ideas are so overwhelming, I would give it way to someone else to write , if they wanted... and take any credit for it themselves as I really don't care about ownership.

Cyia · Jun 27, 2009

This comes up now and again here.

The problem with collaborating with someone who has really good ideas, is that they (usually) think having the idea is equivalent to having the discipline and ability to execute it - it's not. The idea is about 2% of the process, which is why they're worthless.

There's an area of this board called the Sandbox where you can bat ideas around and work out your plot holes with the help of others here.

(That feeling of having so many ideas it's overwhelming is a common one for writers - we all have a TON of idea sitting half formed and undeveloped on our computers and on scraps of paper around the house. You can't own an idea, or give it away really. The idea is only the premise, once it's in another writer's hands their execution becomes unique to them and so does the story.)

cooeedownunder · Jun 28, 2009

Welcome

BigWords · Jun 28, 2009

Welcome to the Cooler.

Good luck finding a collaborator. I know that I'd go insane trying to bend my ideas and style to fit in with another writer's concept. Collaborating can work, but it needs patience, understanding and copious amounts of alcohol.

regdog · Jun 28, 2009

Ken · Jun 28, 2009

... been thinking of asking a particular someone here to collaborate on a work, myself. Haven't mustered the courage to ask them yet, and probably never will; sigh. We're so much alike in some ways, and so un-alike in others that a collaboration between us would be sure to result in something interesting. Then, too, if we collaborated we might get real close and begin dating and then get married and have kids and live in a nice home with a pet husky

Libbie · Jun 28, 2009

First of all, welcome to AW!

I agree with Cyia. Coming up with the idea is the easy part. It's developing the discipline and skill to write it well that's the really valuable part of writing. I'm sure we can help you build those qualities in yourself. Then when you sell your books, you can keep all the money in your own pocket instead of splitting it!

The first step is to sit down and work on your writing every single day, without fail. Once you get into that habit, the rest becomes a lot easier.

mlazzer · Jun 28, 2009

Joanna said:
My main problem is I have several really good (IMHO) ideas but no discipline.

I don't want to be harsh, but a writer without discipline is in my world not a writer at all.

Madisonwrites · Jun 28, 2009

Nickie · Jun 28, 2009

Hi there, and welcome to AW.

Nickie

vixey · Jun 28, 2009

Welcome to AW, Joanna!

Jerry B. Flory · Jun 28, 2009

It exists and it is beautiful.

Proof in my signature.
Welcome to AW. I hope you find what you are looking for.

C.H. Valentino · Jun 28, 2009

Welcome to AW.

As for your questions- there is a lot of good places on here for you to meet people and find a "partner" or a "beta", ect.

You sound like you need a little bit of a slave driver (don't we all?) SYW open forum is a good place for that- sometimes critting and being critted it enough to really push yourself to create something that your readship will enjoy.

Someone also mentioned the Sandbox as a place to kick around ideas and whatnot. That, too, has some benefits as far as motivation.

As far as collaborative projects between two writers- that is a lot of work. A LOT.... more than just writing (just check the link in my sig line). It has an amazing benefit but acctually requires MORE personal motivation to produce a product that fits the needs of the other writers as well. Having "no discipline" is kind of like saying, I want to join an orchestra so I can learn to play an instrument.

Come on over to SYW- crit and be critted. You'll meet great people here just by participating in the threads and making friends. You might stumble on someone that can help you build what you're after.

Again, welcome.

CHV

Jim McLain · Jun 28, 2009

Welcome from the frozen north.

I tried to write with someone else once. We don't talk anymore. She did, however, get me started a bit toward screen writing. Nuff said.

Good luck.

jamiehall · Jun 28, 2009

Beach Bunny · Jun 28, 2009

Good luck finding a collaborator.

Desert Author · Jun 30, 2009

Hello

Welcome to the boards. Whatever you're looking for, it is here.

bluefeline · Jul 2, 2009

Welcome!

Collaborative Fiction anyone?

Joanna

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

mlazzer

New kid, be gentle

Joanna

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

cooeedownunder

Grateful for the day

BigWords

Geekzilla

regdog

The Scavengers

Ken

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

mlazzer

New kid, be gentle

Madisonwrites

The Unicorn Writer

Nickie

Not too old to learn

vixey

C'est la vie!

Jerry B. Flory

under the Milky Way

C.H. Valentino

Wording!

Jim McLain

jamiehall

Bereaved Snarkling

Beach Bunny

The Provocative One

Desert Author

Writing junkie

bluefeline