I’ve gotten this question often and it’s usually accompanied by, “I could never work with my husband. How do you do it?” The writing and creating process is rather easy when we work together. The writing goes a lot faster because if either of us is stuck on a scene, we can pass it off to the other. However, working with someone else requires an outline and a very different style of writing than when I’m working on my own.
On my own, I don’t plan, outline or figure out the end until I get there. I let my characters lead me through the story. When I write with my husband (Dana), I don’t have that same luxury because the story must have structure so we can both move forward with the storyline. However, we have lots of fun writing together.
One of my favorite memories from creating The Demarcation of Jack together was when we recorded an argument between Jack and Jenna. Dana played Jenna and I took on the role of Jack and we acted out their fight. Then I transposed the recording onto the page and it totally worked.
Sometimes we take separate scenes and then finesse them together. Other times we write side by side, my fingers on the keyboard because I type faster.
The most challenging part of writing together is the need to compromise. Should we take this out or leave it in? Are you happy with the cover or does it still need work? Of the two of us, I’m more anal about everything being just so. But that’s just life too, right? As couple who’s been together for almost 19 years, we have gotten rather good at compromising. Usually one of us is more passionate about what we want so it’s been fairly easy to sort it out. Never try to work it out when you’re both tired. I can promise you, that never goes well.
The hardest part for us came when we were editing/rewriting The Demarcation of Jack. It’s hard sometimes to cut your darlings. There was this really funny scene out on the nude island but it didn’t really move the story forward and broke apart two important conversations Jenna was having with Marc and Summer. We finally decided to kill it but not without a bit of wrangling.
Writing on my own affords me great freedom, but we never wholly write on our own. We often provide each other suggestions and we are each other’s first editors and readers. However, in our own endeavors, the author has the final say.
My husband is my greatest support and fan. He loves my erotic stories and encourages me to keep at it. I’m very excited for him because he is finishing up his first solo novel which is historical, time travel, new adult, romance and so very good! He is a master at voices and description.
We hope to have our next projects out by January: The first book in my Bound by Love series, Stuck In-Between and Dana’s Jones Whitman, Time Traveler – Geared to the Present. After that we will finish writing the follow up to The Demarcation of Jack, book two of the Fractured Fidelities Trilogy.
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Have you ever worked with your spouse or partner? How did that go for you?
Warm hugs,
Blakely
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Goddess knows we’ve tried.
We’re so good together in just about every other way, but when it comes to the kitchen and attempting to create stories together, we’re like oil and water (or baking soda and vinegar).
In fact, I based a couple in my own novel on that aspect of our relationship – he’s a pianist and a leader of a dance/jazz orchestra, and she’s a singer who prefers opera – but has been singing with the band for his sake.
When it’s just the two of them on the beach, in bed, cuddling on the sofa listening to radio serials (no TV in those days), having a romantic dinner, etc. it’s wonderful between them – but on the bandstand, it’s a powder keg ready to blow.
Kaye and I had to finally admit – for the sake of our relationship – that we needed to have separate artistic/creative interests. I guess it’s an individual thing – Kaye and I didn’t move in together until we were in our thirties, and before that time, I’d lived alone most of my life (she’d been married briefly). The creative process had always been a solitary thing for me.
I guess I’m used to it and even prefer it.
On the other hand, there’s always George Burns and Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and of course, Bogie and Bacall…sounds like you two make it work and have fun at it. 😉
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you so much for you comment. I think knowing our strengths and weaknesses as couples and honoring them is what is most important. It’s fortunate for us that we like spending so much time together.
Love your couple references!
Warm hugs,
Blakely