Half the Work, Twice the Fun
Author: Tanya Michaels
Original Publication Date in Love Notes: July 2004

Writing is generally regarded as solitary, and it's true that most of us face that blinking cursor alone as we figure out what the heck to type next. But don't overlook the ways we can assist each other in both craft and promotion, pairing up for half the work and twice the fun.

The Buddy System

Did you know Harlequin author Jennifer Drew, nominated this year for a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, is actually the mother-daughter writing team of Barbara Andrews and Pam Hanson, and the award-winning bestseller Tori Carrington is the husband and wife duo of Tony and Lori Karayianni? Perhaps aspiring authors Kelly Rivers and Leanne Banks, writing together as Leanne Rivers, will find similar success. The two joined forces when Banks started a story more sensual than her previous manuscripts and thought she might like some help with it. As Rivers puts it, "I like. . . the hot stuff, so I was more familiar with how to spice things up."

Their combined efforts resulted in THE FLING, which finaled in several contests, and the requested full is now with Harlequin Blaze. Rivers says, "I think the fact that the manuscript. . .is sitting on Kathryn Lye's desk is a good sign. Neither one of us (as far as I know) had anyone request anything in full. We're both more successful as a pair than we were as individuals. . .(T)he experience of writing as a pair has helped both of us become better writers. I know I am a much more confident and willing writer, and Leanne has rediscovered her love for the art as well."

Methods of collaboration vary, but a few possible approaches include:

• People who actually write in the same physical location and discuss all the specifics, from plot points to how to word the opening paragraph

• Pairs who split up the characters, i.e. one person writes all the scenes that are in the heroine's point of view and the other takes the hero's.

• Teams who divide the work according to their talents, with perhaps one plotting or researching and the other writing. Or dividing the actual scenes based on individual specialties, such as one person writing action or description, the other dialogue.

Even if you prefer writing solo, you can benefit from a critique partner, someone who can help identify your strengths and fix your weaknesses, someone who can point out when the characters who make perfect sense to you might be slightly less coherent to others. Whether you meet once a week, once a month or do all your work over the Internet, the important part is finding someone whose productivity, schedule and expectations gel with yours.

Promotion x Two

Sharing promotional duties with a fellow author can often save you costs, occasionally save you time, and, if nothing else, help you schedule time with a friend you might not have otherwise seen.

RITA winner Catherine Mann (PURSUED, Silhouette Bombshell, November 2004) and her long-distance critique partner, Joanne Rock (HER FINAL FLING, Harlequin Temptation, July 2004), might not get to visit as often as they would like, but they have a solution: Road trip! The two bestselling fan favorites frequently pair up to present conference workshops. Speaking with a friend can help reduce "stage fright," create a more engaging atmosphere for the audience and double your credentials and chances of being picked to present in the first place. (Unpublished? Ask a published friend to speak with you. Giving a workshop on romantic suspense? Get in touch with any friends in police work who can add unique details. Program coordinators often have more proposals than slots to fill, and teaming up with someone whose expertise complements or strengthens yours improves your odds.)

Other promotional suggestions:

• Find someone with the same release month as yours and share an advertisement in the Romance Writers Report or Romantic Times BOOKClub.

• Host a contest together. With two of you, you can chip in for a bigger prize and cross-promote each others' books and Web sites.

• Do book signings with a buddy - people are more likely to stop and chat if you look like your having fun, whereas they will avoid eye contact and rush by if you look desperate to sell someone something.

I will forever be grateful to USA Today bestselling author Jacquie D'Alessandro (LOVE AND THE SINGLE HEIRESS, Avon, Sept. 2004) for sitting alongside me when my first book came out. She had already organized the event, and all I had to do was show up nervous and eight months pregnant, ready to autograph. No one but my mother had heard of me at this point, but not only did Jacquie help me make a valuable new bookseller contact, she told fans who showed up to buy her book that I was funny and that they should check out my debut novel.

Whether it's brainstorming, ordering a promotional item in bulk (to then be divvied up and personalized) or splitting the cost of a conference hotel room, there are countless productive ways to combat the occasional isolation of this profession. As Joanne Rock says, "I don't think I would have survived those painful presale months (okay - years!) without my critique partner/peptalkgiver/commiserator to help me stay in the game. After a rejection, I appreciated the chance to whine for an hour, but even more, I appreciated the sound advice about what to do next. That team approach - along with the certainty that someone cares about my career besides me - continues to make my professional journey ten times more enjoyable."

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MCRW member Tanya Michaels, author of the August release SHEER DECADENCE (Harlequin Temptation), is very grateful for her buddies, including Golden Heart finalist Maureen Hardegree, who has generously donated her feedback on just about everything Tanya's ever written, and Superromance author Anna DeStefano, who subjects herself to speaking with Tanya in public.

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