Ironically, I do need corrective lenses, but that’s not what this post is about. Today I shall enumerate on my opinion of the value of a writing partner.
When I started the aforementioned novel that is still sitting in my documents folder back in 2008, I had written some short stories of the erotic nature and had received some positive feedback on them. Namely that they were “hot”. Which, as will most forms of erotica/sexual content- that’s what it’s supposed to do. Yay, score one for me! Now I wanted to take that ability and insert it into a novel. I came up with my premise, had my two main characters, three actually. I already had my best supporting character up front and center.
I wasn’t married at the time, and the kids were either already out of the house, over 18, or in bed at a reasonable hour (8 pm) because they were still in grade school. This left me plenty of time to clack at the keys after they went to bed.
So one night I had this idea and started typing. I sent off a page to @jaybederwehl and he said… keep going.
So I did.
This was back when instant messaging was more of a thing and an immediate response to a message was born. Jay and I would write a paragraph, come up with an idea, consider a what if, send it off to one another and continue typing away.
When something worked, we said so, when it didn’t- we said that also. We’ve had eyes on each other’s projects almost from the start and all the way through the process of the book (or books in his case). We developed a working strategy, if we received something to review there are facets to that:
- Am I reading for pleasure- to get the flow, gist, etc
- Am I reading for proofread- fix grammar, spelling etc
- Am I reading for critique- self explanatory.
I can’t tell you how many times Jay brought me back on track, or liked an idea but suggested maybe it should fit elsewhere (and he was right) or something just didn’t fit.
Thankfully Jay and I had already been collaborating on ideas, bantering about writing, the process, the dreams, the fame (hence the dream part). Taking our collaboration one step further was a fairly easy process especially considering we’re on opposite sides of the US.
Still though, having someone look at your baby and critique it is HARD! Even after nearly twenty years (Jay, we’re getting old) I still watch my inbox minute by minute for him to send his comments back. More importantly, I listen to those comments.
That said, my husband still hasn’t read my current manuscript- I’m too chicken for his feedback at this point. That would be like jumping off that cliff in the picture above.
Four eyes = good
Six eyes = not ready for
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Marina Skynnar- Author 