Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!! To start off this special day, epic authors Lisa and Laura Roecker are here to talk about their debut YA novel, THE LIAR SOCIETY, and talk about what it's like to write as a team. Gah! I can't imagine! The Liar Society is full of awesome and it would not have been, if these co-authors/sisters couldn't get along! See how they did it here and don't forget to buy your copy of the THE LIAR SOCIETY, in stores NOW!!! Oh, and super awesome contest deets below!
Take it way L&L...
THERE IS NO 'I' IN TEAM
One of the most common writing-related questions we get is "How do you possibly write together and not want to kill each other?" Because we all have nightmares of group writing projects where you're assigned with the kid who can barely spell or the girl who writes nothing but run-ons. Writing is usually a solitary sport, typically works best when done independently. So how is it possible to write an entire book together?
When we first started out, we weren't sure how it would work. We just thought it might be fun. Turns out, it was fun and, shockingly, it seemed to work. But, not right away. Our first manuscript was full of little quirks that tipped agents and editors off that there were indeed two hacks writing--that and pages full of telling, one dimensional characters and head hopping, but that's another post for another day.
One of the most common writing-related questions we get is "How do you possibly write together and not want to kill each other?" Because we all have nightmares of group writing projects where you're assigned with the kid who can barely spell or the girl who writes nothing but run-ons. Writing is usually a solitary sport, typically works best when done independently. So how is it possible to write an entire book together?
When we first started out, we weren't sure how it would work. We just thought it might be fun. Turns out, it was fun and, shockingly, it seemed to work. But, not right away. Our first manuscript was full of little quirks that tipped agents and editors off that there were indeed two hacks writing--that and pages full of telling, one dimensional characters and head hopping, but that's another post for another day.
Our first order of business (aside from actually learning the difference between showing and telling) was to learn how to create a unified voice for our work. Our biggest tool in developing our voice was our blog. It's amazing how writing one blog post a day about completely random topics forces you to figure out a way to make it work. By the time we completed our second manuscript we had the process down pat. We knew how to edit each other to create that elusive cohesion. The highest praise we've ever received from our agent was, "Holy crap, I had no idea two people wrote this manuscript." Ok, fine, maybe she didn't actually say "holy crap," but something along those lines.
Of course for all of its challenges, writing as a team has some distinct advantages as well. First and foremost, writer's block is practically nonexistent because you always have someone reading over your shoulder with fresh eyes and new ideas. And when you get rejected (and there was A LOT of rejection on our bumpy road to publication) you've got another person who really understands what you're going through. Someone who cries with you and isn't afraid to tell you when it's time to stop crying and start writing. Honestly, we can't imagine ever going it alone. We're having way too much fun as a team.
If you want to enter The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome contest, and really, who wouldn't want to enter!?! There's a $100 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Just click here and enter the super secret password, SLAMBOOK, for an entry. Remember you can enter one time for each stop on our blog tour, so be sure to click here and see where else we're visiting this month to maximize your chances of winning.
Audi, Vide, Tace,
L&L
Great post! I am cowriting a middle grade with Jon Arntson right now and I worry sometimes that the voice will be different. So far so good, but good to know that these two struggled through that and figured it out!
ReplyDeleteI want a brother that I can coerce into doing all the work while I just compose clever tweets and blog posts.
ReplyDeleteNot that Lisa and Laura do that ... not at all.
Oh, and mentioning Eggs Benedict in a novel is FTW as far as I'm concerned!
Thanks for having them Hilary, great post!
Thanks for the guest post, Hilary. I love LiLa and I reaaaalllly loved The Liar Society.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, if I had to write a book with my sister, it would probably end in tears.
And broken stuff.
Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI think it'd be fun to collaborate on a book together. Maybe use Google Docs to write in real-time!
I could NEVER write on a team. Not quite sure if I'd hurt the other person or they'd hurt me, that part is up in the air! ;) L&L must have some serious patience, not to mention love for each other!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how you were able to write as a team. I agree making the voice seem like one person would have been challenging. Can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteDude, the LiLa team is a force to be reckoned with. And there is an I in LiLa... Just sayin'. :)
ReplyDeleteI think LiLa are amazing! I just started reading Liar Society and I'm lovin' it!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary .. congratulations on making it through to the Crystal Kite Awards final round .. enjoy the weekend .. from another Hilary
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