Comments on: Collaborating, Part 2

By: pcwrede

pcwrede — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:24:21 +0000

StarKin – What you’re describing is generally considered ghost-writing or book-doctoring, rather than collaboration. It’s a rather specialized area, and both the working conditions and the payment are usually rather different from what you would see in a collaboration.

By: StarKin

StarKin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:11:17 +0000

There is a third type of collaboration – between a writer and non-writer. Helen Keller/Ann Sullivan was one such collaboration. Helen wrote many, many hymns and books – but the first ones need a LOT of help by Ann and her husband. (even tho they didn’t show up in the credits)

I’ve heard of a number of other collaborations like that, usually with someone physically disabled or Autistic. The result is usually auto-biographical and I’m not sure if any writer be willing to do that much work for a mere novel.

I mention that because I have often heard a wanna-be writer trying to get a ‘collaborator’ when they really want someone to hold their hand and walk them through the hard part of writing a book!

By: Tiana Smith

Tiana Smith — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:07:29 +0000

It sounds like any relationship – communication is key. It’s hard for me to keep my own stories “in line” since they often go haring off with their own ideas, so I’m not sure how it would be to wrestle with another author doing the same thing. On the other hand, the pay off (in fun, in creating something totally different, in learning from someone else) sounds like it would be worth it.

By: Cara

Cara — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:51:58 +0000

I have a feeling that I would be the ‘cannot cede control’ sort of failed collaborator type. But if I could, it sounds like it would be great, because I’d actually have to argue for my ideas and make sure they made sense. As I fail utterly to do this on my own, being forced to talk it out could be really useful. (Or it could kill the writing dead, also an option.)