Cooperative Working: Writing a Continuity With Other Authors

Ruthy here, introducing an author who needs no introduction! Cheryl St. John is the author of many books in multiple genres, and one of the ladies I run to when I want to hear advice and hear it straight! Cheryl is working with two other amazing authors on a historical continuity for Love Inspired Historicals, and with all the fun going on at Love Inspired Historicals right now, I knew you'd love to hear more about this! 

Take it away, Cheryl!

Cowboy Creek is Love Inspired Historical’s Spring continuity series set in a Kansas boomtown and featuring brides who come west to marry following the Civil War.

April: Want Ad Wedding, Cheryl St.John

May: Special Delivery Baby, Sherri Shackelford

June: Bride By Arrangement, by Karen Kirst

I truly enjoy writing these series books, working with other fabulous authors and following guidelines set up by the editors.

When the author is given a brief synopsis and character outlines to work from, their job entails making the story their own, through characterization, backstory and internal conflict, while staying on track with the outline and working with the other authors’ characters and ideas. It’s a challenge. There are hundreds of details to work out as well as facts, names, places, dates to stay accountable to, and all the stories must flow together.

I might seem pretty seat-of-the-pants, but I’m truly a detail person in this regard, so having the first deadline in the series, I drew a map of Cowboy Creek and enlisted Sherri and Karen’s help in placing businesses and homes. We shared a Pinterest board, so we could easily describe and identify characters we were sharing. You can see our board here.

https://www.pinterest.com/cheryl_stjohn/cowboy-creek-love-inspired-historial-trilogy/

There were so many characters to keep track of that this definitely helped our process.

For each story I write, I create a Pinterest board, which is handy for several reasons. It’s great reference when you want to remember what a character looks like or describe their clothing. As a group, we added to this board, so we had each other’s characters to reference as well. As soon as the book is finished (and often before the book is finished if it’s scheduled) the author is asked to fill out Art Fact Sheets. Having all of these character photos, plus scenery and cover ideas in one place is extremely helpful at this stage. LIH asks for the photos in a Word document, so you can gather them all on your board, then download and insert them in Word docs to send the art department. The better photos you send, the better cover you’re likely to get. It’s a good idea to find other comparable covers or photos you like to assure the cover you’d like to see.

To stay coordinated on a project like this, the authors must constantly update secondary character information, names, traits, businesses, jobs, etc.. This can be done with file sharing, like yahoo groups or google docs. We had a yahoogroup, where we asked questions of each other and kept track. A google calendar can also be valuable for keeping track of the months your story takes place. The key to a multi-author project is communication.

Like planning any other book, the author finds something that excites her within the period in history, has in mind the tone she wants to set, creates backstory and builds conflict and emotion to sustain the book to its end. I kept in mind the emotional wounds of the people and our country during this time. I wanted to show the bravery of the women who traveled to an unknown land in hope of a new and better life—sometimes out of sheer desperation. To keep a historical authentic it’s important to know and understand the political and social climates of our setting and time period. There are so many resources to help with this. We can read journals, diaries, cookbooks, travel logs, find photographs, study the politics, art and music of not only the year the story happens, but the formative years of our characters’ lives. People are a result of their history and upbringings. Events change people. War changes people and countries.

And because I write romance, I wanted to give my characters a new beginning and a second chance at happiness. Themes of forgiveness and second chances consistently run through my stories, because that’s what life is all about. That’s what Jesus is all about. I’ve had the pleasure of reading them all, and I believe you’re going to thoroughly enjoy these three stories.

I’ll draw from the comments for three copies of Want Ad Wedding. Mention whether you’d like a print copy or if you’d prefer a .mobi mailed to your Kindle address. 

NEWSFLASH VIA SHERRI SHACKELFORD! Sherri is also offering three copies of Special Delivery Baby either print (when they arrive) or a .mobi file mailed to your Kindle! Thank you, ladies!

And exciting news: Sherri and I are currently writing yet another Cowboy Creek installment, Christmas in Cowboy Creek for the Love Inspired Historical western Christmas anthology. Two more stories set in Cowboy Creek!

 Ruthy again! Cheryl, I'm so glad you were here, thank you!!!

I've got flapjacks on the griddle and a pot of fresh, strong coffee, some sweet tea, and some of my cousin's maple syrup from back East! Come on in, let's chat writing historicals and writing together... What do you think the toughest aspect of writing with a group would be?

I can't wait to hear what you say!

Writing Continuities, Babies, Westerns and Romance with Carolyne Aarsen

Hey there. Carolyne Aarsen here. 

Sitting at my computer, all alone, trying to work up the energy to go for a walk and then dive into edits. When I had starry-eyed dreams of writing, I didn't realize how much time I would be spending on my own - just me and the voices. There are many times I wished I had a group of people to work with.  People who cared about my characters the same way I did. People who could help me work through the process. I have a writing partner and we do fantastic together, but sometimes you just need another voice.

And then, into my life, came continuities. These are editor driven series written by various authors. The first time around I was overwhelmed by the people I was working with. Smart, savvy and quick. They helped me decipher the ‘bible’ and showed me to create a proper flow from one book to the next. I discovered that working in this group environment was way more fun than I thought it would be.  I had found….my people. And every time, after that, when I got asked to do a continuity, I said yes.

This past year I’ve had the special privilege of working with an amazing group of people. Okay, I know your thinking “Obligatory public thank you speech” wherein you proceed to gloss over any and all troubles that occurred within the group.

But I don’t need to to any glossing over. We had such a great time together. There was an energy and interaction that made the writing more fun. 

It all started with the introduction of the fellow members of the continuity. We introduced ourselves and we were away. Val Whisenand set up the first book and let us know what she was doing as she fleshed out her characters, gave quirks to secondary characters - Rusty Zidek and his mule -  and introduced new ones. She set up the story world, Ruth took over from there and both gave me a foundation to work with. As Jenna, Brenda and Deb all participated we solved problems in the storylines, came up with additions and changes. Details were seen to and inconsistencies were addressed.

There was an energy to the group that I fed off of. Whenever I read what the others wrote, I would get pushed to try just a little harder. To write a bit better.

ISN'T THIS STINKIN' ADORABLE???? OH, I JUST WANT TO SMUSH THEIR LITTLE CHUBBY CHEEKS!!!

Every morning one of my favourite moments was when I opened my e-mail and saw all the letters from my fellow continuity writers. I knew they understood the story world I usually spent so much time by myself in. They knew my people and I knew theirs. 

With this group I had people to complain to, people who understood my story and cared about my characters and slowly, as we work together we started sharing more than just story ideas. We shared personal stuff. We shared virtual cups of coffee and tea and chocolate. We became friends.

I truly had a wonderful time working on this continuity and I was sad to see my part in it end. I hope it shows in the story!

Ruthy here: We had so much fun on this project that it should be classified as illegal by federal marshals!!! (Because federal marshals are C-U-T-E but not as cute as cowboys!!!!) Carolyne's right, we not only worked well together, we became friends and that made the whole project special.

Come on inside and leave a comment... no drive-bys!!!... and Carolyne is graciously giving away 3 (THREE!!!) copies of "Her Montana Twins" and one winner will receive a copy of those two precious babies (Her Montana Twins) AND three books from Carolyne's "Hearts of Hartley Creek" series! 

We've got Friday morning food revved up, a full breakfast buffet from Le Peep (Love their food) and fresh coffee with a barista on hand! Come on in... Set a spell... Let's talk writing and great books!

Team-Writing a Continuity for Love Inspired Books

 by Guest Blogger Val Hansen!

Good morning, all!  Ruthy here! This past winter I had the pleasure and honor of teaming up with Love Inspired editors Shana Asaro, free-lance continuity creator Marcia Adirim, and five other Love Inspired authors to work on the 2014 "Big Sky Centennial" continuity series. With Val Hansen as lead author and Arlene James pulling all the threads together as the anchor, the six of us worked together to transition six distinct stories into a book-a-month series. I HAD SO MUCH FUN! First, it was awesome to get to know these ladies, and I'd work with any and all of them again in a New York minute! :) (Because we Yankees don't know the meaning of s-l-o-w, of course, LOL!!!!)

And I learned so much by sitting back and listening...(yes, Tina and Mary, I CAN listen, I just don't do it often!) For the next six months we're featuring a continuity author here in Seekerville and today we start out with my new friend Val Hansen... Go get 'em, Val!

(SIDE NOTE!!!! THIS PREQUEL IS FREE RIGHT NOW TO KICK-OFF THE SERIES, AND YES, OF COURSE, I'M GIVING YOU A LINK RIGHT HERE BECAUSE I LOVE YOUSE!!!)

Hello, Seekers and friends! It's great to be visiting again. Right now I'm involved in another continuity series which will be my - wait, let me count - thirteenth, not counting the ones I've done all by myself that are more loosely tied together by "Serenity, Arkansas", my favorite fictional Ozark town.

(And here is a link to Val's opening book of the Big Sky Centennial, "Her Montana Cowboy"!!!)

You're looking at the covers for my 12th series, "Big Sky Centennial", HER MONTANA COWBOY, and the digital prequel, MONTANA REUNION, set in Jasper Gulch, Montana. I had actually completed the book, which is #1 in the series, when I was asked to write the prequel. 

Believe it or not, that can be tough to do. I borrowed the hair stylist from Carolyne Aarsen's story and then decided to use the town vet, with a twist from their past that made this a tense reunion. And, loving animals and especially dogs the way I do, I decided to use a litter of puppies to help accomplish my goals. 

I LOVE ME SOME PUPPIES!!!! VAL, THESE GUYS ARE ADORABLE! 

When 6 authors work together to create a series like this, we can sometimes drive each other crazy - in a nice way! I have always enjoyed meeting and getting to know different writers. This group is a prime example of how serious professionals with a good work ethic, sense of humor and strong faith and prayer life can become real friends in the course of their work. I cannot begin to tell you how much Ruth Logan Herne, Carolyne Aarsen, Brenda Minton, Jenna Mindel and Arlene James helped me. They each brought their special touch to this series and made it wonderful.

WHERE'S THE "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE" BUTTON??????? 

In case you don't know, we all write at the same time, using many characters in some aspect or another, and finish our books at about the same time. This means that we can't wait and read the earlier books to help us. We all have to dive in together. Every street, every description of a building, every background element as well as the characters themselves must match. Totally. Even if they're not our main interest, everyone who is mentioned should be described so a reader can picture them. My favorite background character in this series is old Rusty, a town fixture who is old enough to dish out homespun wisdom without being ostrasized for speaking his mind. And believe me, he does!

I love Val's country home!!!! Isn't it charming? I could sit on that porch, sip tea or drink coffee and think up stories all day!

My heroine, Julie Shaw, raises sheep for wool in cattle country, not the most popular form of ranching there, while my hero, Ryan Travers, follows the professional rodeo circuit and considers himself a free spirit who will never settle down. Julie loves her home town, rodeo rough-stock events and handsome cowboys. Ryan loves winning. Why he feels so compelled to always be the best is a secret he carries hidden in his wounded heart.

        

The other two pictures are of me and my old farm house. Both have a lot of miles on them but belong just as you see them; planted with deep roots and blooming in the Ozarks.

Blessings,

Valerie Hansen 


HERE IS VAL'S PICTURE FROM NORWAY>>>> I love it, Val!!!!

Ruthy again: Val is giving away two copies of Book One of the Big Sky Centennial "Her Montana Cowboy" !!!!  I brought a nice pot of coffee, a red-white-and-blue confetti cake to celebrate the 4th of July and patriotic plates to serve it on! In Big Sky Country, they love America, ranches, horses, cattle, ridin' range and good food... and of course, romance! Mosey on in and set a spell... We'll get the weekend fireworks display ready with help from some town locals, Chauncey Hardman and Rusty Zidek, two fun characters you'll love getting to know in Big Sky Centennial!!!