Posts tagged 'Chris Regan'
First Monday July 2019 – why authors don't have to go it alone
There have been many successful collaborations between writers, among them Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's The Mote in God's Eye, Stephen King and Peter Straub's The Talisman, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society written by Mary Ann Shaffer and completed by her niece, Annie Barrows. Actor, writer and philanthropist, William Shatner, manages his prodigious output by working with co-writers including Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, David Fisher and Chris Regan.
Romance writer, Emma Darcy, was the pen name of couple, Wendy and Frank Brennan. After Frank's death, Wendy carried on the Emma Darcy name alone. I also have a prized copy signed by all four contributors to Dead of Night a series of paranormal stories by Nora Roberts writing as J.D.Robb, and her friends, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas.
The world's biggest-selling author, James Patterson, teams up with other writers because he surely has more ideas than one person could write in a lifetime. One of his books, Private Sydney, was co-written by Australian crime writer, Kathryn Fox.
2018-19 Valerie Parv Award minion Stella Quinn
You can also manage your stress by having friends watching your back. For 38 years my late husband helped me brainstorm plots and research aspects of his life such as serving in three armies and hunting crocodiles in the Northern Territory. In turn I wrote gags for his cartoons.
Other support services I use include accounting, legal advice, IT support, website design, gardening, cleaning and general hand-holding. I value all these people, but especially the latter. Let's face it, nobody understands the struggles and joys of writing quite like another writer.
They're there for me when the ideas refuse to come, when I've made a best seller list and even when I've had to kill off a character. In turn I'm there for my writing BFF s– the Bat Cave members know who you are. We've met up all over Australia and the world. I've even combined some roles, taking two bat friends we dub The Three Batketeers to a personal meet-up with William Shatner.
My agent of more than 20 years, Linda Tate, deserves special citation. She runs a "people gallery" of celebs, sports people and creatives including Mr Movies, Bill Collins, who died recently. When I met Linda, my goal was to be to romance writing what Bill Collins was to movies. While nobody can match his encyclopedic knowledge of film lore, with Linda's help I've come close, being made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for writing and mentoring.
Among my closest supporters are the minions, as the past winners of the Valerie Parv Award run by Romance Writers of Australia, call themselves. We share a unique rapport that goes beyond the mentoring I do while they hold the award. Next month at RWA's annual conference I'll crown the newest minion, and we'll celebrate at the much-anticipated annual Minions' breakfast.
The same conference will see my agent and I presenting a session on Getting Back the Joy of Writing. With the publishing industry in such turmoil, joy is needed more than ever, whether you're traditionally published, indie or a hybrid of both.
Agent Linda and me giving a talk at the National Library, Canberra
Writers tell me they're overwhelmed by everything they have to do, from promoting on social media to designing covers and hiring their own editors if they're indie publishing, leaving little time to enjoy the writing process.
Some writers say they feel ready to give up as burnout looms, or sadly, after it hits. In our session, Linda and I will look at better ways for writers to manage these and other stresses.
Your stories are precious gifts only you can share. Even if you work with another writer the resulting gestalt will be unique. It's so sad when a writer dies with her work locked inside her, like friends who've planned to write "someday" which we all know never comes
Some say they'd like some help, but can't afford the luxury. How can you not afford people who free up your energy so you can write? In my opinion this help is beyond price. Look around you. Who among your group would brainstorm ideas, share info they know and you don't, celebrate your triumphs and be there when you struggle? Using professionals is a test of your professionalism. Plus your cheer squad will be there with wine, chocolate or funny memes to lift you up so you can keep writing.
Who has your back? Is it a partner, writing friends, paid professionals or a combination? Find them and value them and you'll never write alone.
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Happy (and joyful) writing,
www.valerieparv.com
@valerieparv on Twitter and Facebook
Valerie and her agent, Linda Tate are
presenting at Romance Writers of Australia's
National Conference Sun 11 August 1-2pm
http://tinyurl.com/y52tghw4
Bill Collins
Chris Regan
Emma Darcy
Garfield Reeves-Stevens
J.D.Robb
Judith Reeves-Stevens
Mary Blayney
Nora Robberts
Ruth Ryan Langan