The Co-Writing Process
by
Kimberley Woodhouse
*********
Co-writing a book can be tricky, and I know it doesn’t work for every author, but Tracie and I make a great team. We are very close and have known each other a long time so that definitely helps. We pray together and have Bible study together, which is the foundation for all our work. Then we brainstorm… A LOT.
In the case of Beyond the Silence, during Bible study one day, Tracie and I had discussed with our group about how the tongue can destroy lives. Lies, gossip, slander…the tongue is a nasty weapon. That’s what sparked our imaginations first—we knew our main characters needed to be devastated by people’s words and would then need to see growth and resolution in their community.
The process normally starts on the phone or in person, then we will follow up with Skype, and then we get down to business and flesh it all out via email. In emails we will change the color of our font for each response so we can follow the flow of ideas. Each book, we’ve had about forty pages of notes once I print them all out!
Then we go through the tedious task of writing a long synopsis. And when I say long, I mean looooooooooooonnng. Tracie is the queen of synopses and mentored me for many years. I might hate writing synopses (seriously, it’s like pulling teeth), but I have learned my lesson well: having a long and detailed synopsis helps the book flow. There’s still plenty of room for creativity and spur of the moment ideas and plot changes, but I’ve never gotten stuck or had writer’s block once I get that long synopsis out.
After a month or so of research then we start writing. I’ll write the short version of the first draft, then Tracie will take it and add to it/work her magic, and then we’ll dive into the second draft. It goes back and forth several times as we tweak and polish and then we turn it in to our editor.
Something else we’re doing together at the end of the process is going on a joint book tour! We’ll be speaking and signing at a number of libraries and bookstores, this time in different parts of Texas. If you’re a Texas resident, or know someone who is, take a look at the tour schedule to see if we’ll be near your area!
Beyond the Silence
Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother’s dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. Murky rumors swirl around Woodward Colton, her new employer, but the gossip doesn’t match the man Lillian comes to know.
Still, something dark did happen in the family’s past. Lillian’s seven-year-old charge hasn’t spoken in over a year. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he’ll one day feel safe enough to share what scared him. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. When the housekeeper is brutally attacked, the town once again suspects the worst. Will discovering the truth help Lillian clear the name of the man she has come to love–or will it endanger her even more?
Kimberley Woodhouse is a multipublished author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker/teacher, she’s shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at more than a thousand venues across the country. She lives, writes, and homeschools with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two awesome teens live in Colorado.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.
Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Kimberley’s website and blog
Visit Tracie’s website and journal
Pop Quiz with Tracie & Kimberley
Buy at Amazon: Beyond the Silence or Koorong
January 11, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Oh that’s a hard question to answer! Julie Klassen is my top favorite author, so I’d have to pick her 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Beyond The Silence”, I’ve been waiting for this to come out!
January 11, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Yikes! That’s a toughie. I am a good idea person, but not so great at fleshing out. And it would have to be someone with a comedic flare. Off the top of my head I would pick Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer or Cathy Marie Hake.
Thank you for this opportunity to receive a copy of Beyond the Silence.
January 11, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Definitely Julie Lessman or Denise Hunter
January 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm
I’d lie to work with Julie Lessman or Tamera Alexander.
January 12, 2016 at 1:25 am
If I could work with an author, I’d pick Denise Hunter or Deeanne Gist. Thanks for the giveaway!
January 12, 2016 at 4:10 am
I don’t have writing skills but I’d enjoy brainstorming with Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Deanne Gist, Karen Witemeyer, or Cathy Marie Hake. That’s more than one but I would be very helpful 😉
Thank you for the giveaway!
January 12, 2016 at 4:16 am
Definitely Terri Blackstock. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Man it sounds like a really good read.
January 12, 2016 at 4:28 am
You mean I have to pick one. I have hundreds i would love to it I could write.
January 12, 2016 at 6:31 am
Stephen King
January 12, 2016 at 12:12 pm
julie Lessman
January 12, 2016 at 1:59 pm
That’s a tough question to answer. I would have a tough time choosing between Lynn Austin and Francine Rivers.
January 12, 2016 at 9:23 pm
This is easy for me. I would love to collaborate with either Ruth Logan Herne or Julie Lessman. I enjoy their books, but even more I would bask in their love for the Lord. Their presence online emanates authenticity and I know any experience with them would be joyful, tenfold.
January 13, 2016 at 11:15 am
Almost impossible to name just one! Beverly Lewis, Tracie Peterson, Mary Lu Tyndall; Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Miss Kay Robertson, are among my many many favorites
January 14, 2016 at 5:17 am
Thank you for writing this topic in your blog. I have always wondered how authors managed to co-write their books. Thank you for offering this amazing book for a giveaway. What a topic! I have been the victim of malicious gossip in the past so I have first hand experience of the destruction a tongue can do to your life.
In regard to your giveaway question, I have so many authors I would like to co-write a book with however, I am still learning about my own style so I am unsure which team member I would choose. I guess I would probably choose Terri Wangard. After visiting with her via a Facebook party, I learned we had both lived in Germany when our parents were in the military. I like her writing style in her book, Friends and Enemies, and her deligent research. She even flew in a B-17 bomber to experience the sights and sounds of flying in one for her book.
January 15, 2016 at 8:29 am
I couldn’t pick just one author but probably Kelly Irvin, Katie Ganshert and Melanie Dobson.
January 15, 2016 at 8:31 am
I couldnt pick just one author but probably Kelly Irvin, Katie Ganshert and Melanie Dobson.
(This has my correct e mail)
January 15, 2016 at 9:40 am
I’d like Anne Mulligan.. she is so fun!
January 16, 2016 at 3:21 am
Really hard question! Melanie Dobson. Sarah Sundin. But honestly I would work with many authors!
January 16, 2016 at 11:56 pm
What a tough choice! Perhaps I would write with Francine Rivers, Angela Hunt, Sarah Sundin, Andrea Boeshaar, Jennifer Chiaverini, or Jan Karon.