Co-writing
Here is how it works
by Janet Elizabeth Lynn
Deadlines
My husband, Will Zeilinger, a published author also, and I decided to come together and write a 1950’s hard-boiled mystery, the Skylar Drake Murder Mystery series.
People warned us to would tarnish our 45-year marriage. They insisted it wouldn’t work. Concerned, we took a business approach and set rules of professionalism, respect and overall patience. We learned the value of the difference in style we brought to character dialogue and personality. We set deadlines and nothing, but nothing, got in the way of those deadlines short of death and a fever over 102. And the most important thing was to check our egos at the door from the day we started to the day we finished our final edit.
Of course, differences of opinions reared their ugly head from time to time. When this happened, we tabled the discussion for 24 hours then looked at the issue again.
The results? SLIVERS OF GLASS, STRANGE MARKINGS and released in January, DESERT ICE . . . and yes, we’re still married.
Published authors Will Zeilinger and Janet Lynn had been writing individually until they got together and wrote the Skylar Drake Mystery Series. These hard-boiled tales are based in old Hollywood of 1955. Janet has published seven mystery novels, and Will has three plus a couple of short stories. Their world travels have sparked several ideas for murder and crime stories. This creative couple is married and lives in Southern California.
www.themarriedauthors.blogspot.com
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The civil and criminal actions lawsuit that came after the accident, during the filming of Twilight Zone, was the result of negligence.
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Researching for a book takes many forms. When it comes to finding unique characters, I love to people-watch. That activity allows me to discover interesting physical characteristics and mannerisms I can use to flesh out some of the people (and animals) who make up the cast of characters.
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It’s hard to forget the 1950s scandal with Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor, leaving a furious Hedda Hopper, and heartbroken Debbie Reynolds.
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John Callcott Horsley designed the world’s first commercially produced Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole in 1843.
Cole was part of the elite social circle in Victorian England. During the holiday season of 1843, having too many friends caused Cole much anxiety. -
A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L’Engle published in 1962 by Ariel Books. Genre: Fiction, Science Fantasy
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It was a risky endeavor, but you pulled it off. Good job!
I always wanted to write noir/hardboiled, 1950 mysteries. But everytime we edited each others work, my husband would change the dialogue and self talk of my male heros, “A guy wouldn’t say that,” or “No guy would think that.” and he changed it. So I knew I couldn’t get into a guy’s head like he could. When I approached him to co write this series he was all for it. Luckily we both had published and know the process of writing. I must say his input has made our 1950s hero… realy real!
Janet, wonderfully funny article with pep and insight 🙂 I, too, am married to a writer, and I love it. It is so cool to have a life partner who GETS the angst of being a writer. We’ve never collaborated … but you give me hope that our marriage can survive it 🙂
Geralyn, We start each book with brain storming session. We sit in our porch with some ice tea and brain storm ideas, and characters, the odder the better. Many times we laugh over ideas but we list them anyway. It’s a wonderful way to let creativity takes its place and flow. When we’re done the characters are there, and several plots and subplots. We choose or combine the ideas to a working plot, then add the subplots that will work. Of course then comes the pesky thing of writing… outlines, characters studies and subplots. It’s great to share research too.
Very entertaining piece. Thanks for sharing. Loved the photos you included.