Fourth year, first issue!

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know that’s not a proper sentence. So sue me. As I compile responses, the U.S. presidential election is less than a week away and I’m a little stressed. When you read this, people have cast the final votes. Who won?

Okay, no politics. Let’s talk about this month’s Ask an Author question. Once again, it dovetails nicely with the one asked last month. The member who sent it in asked me to select the authors it would be forwarded to. Not wanting my preferences to influence the decision, I looked at the STORY UPDATES list, and chose the most recent authors to post something, as long as they had not been featured the previous month. We ended up with quite an interesting bunch. Thank you to the authors who answered my call.

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If you had the chance of collaborating with a GA author or poet who would it be and why?

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@Cia

Well, for poets... collaboration is out, sorry! I'm able to evoke emotion and a sense of story well but only within story. Meter and verse simply elude me. It doesn't even crop up in my fantasy stories very often. I've tried co-writing before, but I'm either of two styles: plan it to death then write or just write as it comes to me and post it right away. Honestly, I'm more the second than the first. Writing with another person takes planning. Who does what, how do you separate out writing--plot events or chapters, how will you mesh styles? And time, lots of time. Not something I have much of these days. 

However, if I were to pick anyone out of the mix and the time and planning could magically work out? @Rob Colton I love his stories and they're easy reading, we have similar interest in genres. Plus I even met him at a conference before and got to hang out with him for a few days, so I know he's a sweetheart and would be amazing to work with.

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@Mann Ramblings

In reality, I can be a bit of a controlling dick when it comes to creative projects. At work, I get a feel for what the client's needs are and then tell them what will work. I often believe the world would be a better place if everyone would just do whatever I tell them to do. (Ask Carlos how pushy I am when I edit for him. Some days it's not pretty.) So I'm not sure it would be kind to inflict me on a writing partner who's not prepared for that.

That aside, I have been talking a little bit about pairing up with @Renee Stevens on a sci-fi story she has in mind. We each have strengths to balance out our weaker areas, and we know each other's process, so it could work. It's not a done deal, but the idea has been tossed around...

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@Mark Arbour

If it was a poet, it would be Lugh, because he's bitchy but cute.

For a story, I'd pick Domluka, even though he hasn't been heard from in years.  I've followed his writing for years, and in fact he's the reason I first came to GA:  I followed him here.  He is excellent at developing quirky characters, and can tell an awesome story.

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@Mawgrim

People who don’t write often think that it must be a lonely process. While it’s often best to write when you are alone (less chance of distraction) it doesn’t feel lonely to me as my characters are my companions.

However, writing as a collaborative process definitely brings something different to the mix. I’ve collaborated with others writers a few times now and have discovered several good reasons to do it:

It inspires the creative process. If you get stuck, then the other person or persons can often suggest a way out that you might not have thought of alone

It’s really good for creating dialogue. Most of my collaborative projects have been on play or pantomime scripts and getting dialogue going between two (or more) writers really shows what works and what doesn’t. It’s also great when you are trying to create comedy - this is probably why a lot of comedy shows are written in partnerships.

It helps to stop procrastination. If you know you need to get a section or chapter finished before you meet up, you are much more likely to keep to deadlines.

Having said all that, I should now answer the actual question: If I had a chance of collaborating with a GA author, who would it be and why?

I’ve not been using the site for very long, so I’ve only started to dip into the vast well of creative talent out there. But of the few authors I’ve read so far, the one I would most like to collaborate with would be @drsawzall

Collaborating is a good way to improve your own writing. I have been told that I write with quite a ‘spare’ style; I tell a story without too much embellishment and I know my main failing is in detailed description. @drsawzall handles description brilliantly, so that it’s not a filler, or something you want to skip by, but creates a textured scene that you feel you could step into. If we were to collaborate, I feel that I could learn a lot from trying to mesh my ideas with his style.

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@RichEisbrouch

This is stupid, but I'm an English teacher and editor.  It's something I've been doing part-time for the twenty years since I retired.  And I start to read so many of the stories on this site and just want to have five minutes with the writers to say, "You know, there are more economical ways of putting that."  Or "You've got a great story there, but you could so easily give it more impact."

Yeah, I know:  it's not my business.  Just read the stories, Rich, and say encouraging things.  You know how hard it sometimes is to write -- you're putting yourself out there defenseless.  But I say right back, "Yeah, but give me five minutes, and I'll show these writers how to use a few more defenses."

As I keep telling my students, "Think as much about how you're writing as about what you're saying."  And as Kurt Vonnegut's notes taught me:  "Revise.  Revise.  Revise."  But always keep a few earlier copies until you're set.  Because sometimes, you overedit.

And anyone who wants to collaborate with me, just ask.  Thanks.

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@Wombat Bill

Thanks for your offer, but as it is such early days, I don't think I have read enough stories on GA to make an informed decision. I have only read read stories by 2 authors so far.

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@Yeoldebard

Tsukihana. We've been friends for years, and while our styles differ, she and I are always throwing ideas off each other. A full collab would be rather fun.

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Now, wasn’t that a blast to read?

Expanding a bit on Mann Ramblings response, yes, he is a controlling dick. But he’s not that hard to work with. If you simplify sufficiently and obey him.

I have no further questions inventory, so you need to send me some. See you next month!