Best Thing to Hear
>> Sunday, October 10, 2010
I read my books (and others) to my husband. I always catch things to fix and he's ruthless if something isn't working. The collaboration has it's down sides. Sometimes we butt heads and it's a real struggle to work through it.
This last novel was no exception. I had my heart set on infecting the hero of book number one with a brain-eating parasite and Lee just wasn't happy about having his favorite character get his brain eaten (even though I was going to make him survive). My medical friend actually sided with him so we did something different-ish.
Had to find a different way to pull it all together, but, in many ways, it worked out even better. Which is why I work with my husband.
So, I just read the finished book to my husband, cleaning up this, straightening wording here, tightening up this phrase or that. Still needs some polish, but, really, I thought, not as much as I expected. I seem to need less and less polishing the more books I write.
My voice, with my allergies was going, but he kept urging me to read more. How can you not want to read more if your audience is wanting it? Very gratifying. We managed to finish it up at 2 am yesterday.
What does he say to me this morning? "You know the worst thing about that book? There's not more of it."
If we're never published, I'll still have that.
It's always great when someone likes your work. I can't wait to read it.
Did you read Beast Within? If so, I can send the sequel your way.
Fantastic! I hold onto those comments, too.
Are you planning on sending stuff out soon, or have you already started (and I just don't know about it yet)?
Good luck! Keep us posted.
I however, hand hubby finished books and he says they're fab. Helpful, no?
Shakespeare, I have not hunkered down to market the Bete novels, but that's next on the agenda (while working to market some short stories).
The Mother, while praise is always gratifying, I find it especially so if your collaborator is not sold on the idea, hems and haws all during the effort and then becomes a convert. But that might just be me.
Hell ya, that's awesome, on both fronts... finishing a book like that and having someone close experience and love it with you.
I'm jealous, every time I bring up my WIP; my spouse rolls her eyes and can't wait for me to stop talking about it.
So yes, if you never get published, you at least have a book you and your collaborator can love and enjoy for all time.