Hello Blog’n World!
I’m Linda Sivertsen. Writer. Author. Book Proposal chicka. I also take dreamers on retreat to Carmel to craft their writerly masterpieces.
It’s here that I’ll be posting weekly publishing tips, known to my newsletter peeps as Pub Tip Tuesdays…
Thanks for joining me weekly to discuss all things written, and share our book love.
In the immortal words of the great philosopher Ms. Hilton, here’s our first blog, bitches!
Get A Writing Buddy!
You’ve heard that two heads are better than one. That’s one of the reasons I LOVE having Nat, or Naters (Natalie) in the office with me. We pick each other’s brain, jive off each other’s sentences, and laugh until we’re about to cough up a lung or our lunch (gross). We’re obsessed with words and celebrate together when we find just the right one. We practically cry in spasm when we can’t think of that dang phrase we’ve spent all day trying to remember.
Mainly, I love that I can just simply say “Hey, whattcha think of this idea?” And, because I pay her, she has to answer me. Ha! Seriously, finding a writing buddy, whether it’s your mom, a friend, or assistant (preferably another writer), is muy bueno.
The thing is, I’m really, really lucky to have several writing buddies/collaborators. One is Rebecca Keegan, a masterful author and magazine editor (with 10 years on the staff of Time). Another is the fantabulous Rhonda Britten. We have a ton of fun working together (fun is always a must with me). Some of my best writing memories are from working on her proposal for Fearless Living. I’m a firm believer that collaboration ups the ante for everyone. Writing is such a solitary act that it can make you koo koo birds. You need a go-to person that can be the butter to your toast. Who doesn’t like butter? For me, it’s a food group.
A few tips to finding your buddy:
1. If you can’t find a collaborator or a friend to read your work amongst your social networks, contacts, and colleagues, consider posting an ad: “Writer seeks creative partner.” And, just as you’d “interview” a potential boyfriend or girlfriend, or business partner, you can do the same for a writing buddy. Ask questions like, What types of books do you read? What movies do you like? What do you do for fun? So much of any partnership is about having fun. Pick a buddy you can laugh with!
2. Oppositesmdo attract… “I think collaborations are much more successful when people have different strengths,” says Peter Tolan (Analyze This, Analyze That). “The best collaborations are when you shore each other’s weaknesses up.” So true. Although I do find it important to have fun, you don’t have to be twins. Generally, opposites attract because we offer a sensibility the other one needs.
3. KNOW THYSELF. Inscribe this in your heart like it’s inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. This Ancient Greek aphorism says it all… “Know thyself” and your strengths. Marshall Brickman & Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Manhattan) understood their complementary strengths. “I tend to be somewhat more bound by logic than Woody Allen,” Brickman explains, “and I say that as a criticism of me rather than of him. His approach to a problem or material in general is more intuitive than mine. I like to kind of back into things logically; he seems to have a genius for making some kind of intuitive leap which defies logic but solves the problem.” Find a partner who knows himself too, and it’ll only make your writing that much stronger.
4. Someone who plays nice. All loving partners argue occasionally. Disagreement is an invaluable component in the collaborative process. Be open to criticism and be willing to kill your darlings. Sometimes the tokens we grip the tightest to need to be tossed. Finding someone who can nicely tell you something sucks is key. Seek out a buddy without a vendetta or rampant father issues, unless those inform the writing in a positive way (which can happen!).
Ultimately, collaboration is like any relationship—friendship, marriage, partnership—in that quality communication is your goal. My suggestion is to start the writing relationship off with an open-door policy, adding, contributing, and helping each other as you work to tighten your skills.
And, start small. The journey of any collaboration begins with one article, essay, book, film, or lunch. Don’t make it such a big deal that you wait another year.
On the biz front, we’ve got one more spot open for an October editing/brainstorming client, so let us know if you need help. Or, call about our upcoming LA or Carmel workshops. We’re happy to chat about your project anytime.
Happy writing!
Yours,
Linda Sivertsen
