Collaborating Writers, Anyone? Deception in Destin
Give a warm welcome to Sandra Tilley & Suzanne Purvis, authors of Deception in Destin, a romantic suspense.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about collaborating writers, Sandra and Suzanne, authors of Deception in Destin!
COLLABORATING WRITERS, ANYONE?
Have you considered collaborating on a book? Ever wondered if there was a key ingredient to working with a partner or multiple partners?
Aretha Franklin knows the secret to successful collaboration: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Now that I have that song playing in your head, I can explain how RESPECT is vital to all relationships–but extra especially when it comes to writing. We writers can be a sensitive lot. The letters we arrange into words and sentences and paragraphs and chapters become part of us, an entity that grows and matures with each inspiration–like our offspring. And criticism-even constructive criticism- can sometimes expose those nerve-endings of self-doubt.
However, constructive criticism is a crucial part of the collaboration process. That’s where mutual respect comes in. A sincere partner’s motivation bears no malice or subtext. A sincere partner is all in. A sincere partner’s core motivation is to strengthen your alliance and your manuscript.
Maybe you wonder if finding a collaborating partner is worth the effort. Think critique partner with super powers. Like the Mind Meld where bouncing ideas blasts creativity from hidden crevices in your brain and stimulates concepts to fresh and lofty heights. Or senses your struggle and gives you a gentle push to reach your goal.
Our idea to collaborate came after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The media capitalized on the disaster in story after story. At one of our meetings, an idea hit Suzanne and me. Since we live on the Gulf of Mexico, why not write a book about corruption of BP funds in the tourist town of Destin, Florida? We packed our swimsuits and plenty of wine and went on a week-end writing retreat to Destin. We each chose a POV and plotted and brainstormed until we knew where our story was going. We’d set a timer and pound those computer keys relentlessly until the timer sounded or we’d done a chapter. Then we’d take a break to read our pages and make notes. (And maybe have a small, really tiny glass of wine.). Over a period of two LONG days of writing (and who knows how many bottles of wine), we finished our rough draft.
Then the hard work began. REVISING. REVISING. REVISING.
For months we made the ether net dizzy passing our pages back and forth. We tweaked and edited and revised our manuscript until we loved it.
Although we took our story from the headlines, we added our own brand of romance and intrigue; and our novella was born. After a few years, the small publishing house who published our book was sold; and we requested the control of our rights. We re-revised our book, tweaked the name, designed a new cover, and self-published Deception in Destin. Our baby was re-born–and better than ever.
One important thing I learned is that collaborating makes you want to be a better writer. And I thank Suzanne Purvis for making me a better writer.
Suzanne Purvis is a Canadian transplant. She traded her snow boots for flip flops and can say y’all with the best of us. About seven years ago we met in Pensacola via a bunch of writers we called the Crazy Women’s Writers Group. Living two hours apart, emails were our form of communication. We supported each other’s efforts and began critiquing each other’s pieces and became best friends.
Now that Suzanne has added free-lance editing and teaching at Lawson’s Writers’ Academy to her award-winning writing career, we can only squeeze in meetings about once a month. However, we still manage to email and/or text every day. A day without an email from Suzanne in my inbox, is a day when the earth is askew. And although the key ingredient to collaborating is respect, being BFF’s doesn’t hurt either.
Tell us a little about DECEPTION i
IN DESTIN.
Forensic accountant Drew Arnoud could be on vacation. Instead, he’s investigating misappropriation of BP’s oil spill settlement funds in the beachside town of Destin, Florida. Having his kayak tipped by head hunting specialist Bree Finley could be a coincidence, or could she be involved? Either way he’s keeping her close, maybe too close. In his search to reveal the truth, he finds his life and his heart in jeopardy.
Bree Finley has been betrayed before by her ex-husband, but is it possible he’s involved her and their company in fraud? Who can she trust? She must decide, but the wrong decision may prove deadly.
You can visit Sandra at SandraTilley.com and Suzanne at SuzannePurvis.com
You can find Deception in Destin on Amazon.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Deception in Destin!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Deception In Destin, romantic suspense, Sandra TIlley, Suzanne Purvis by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.
I love the Gulf coast of FL! Sounds like a great read! It sounds like you really have to like your writing partner as well as respect them. And have plenty of wine on hand! ; )
Donna, wine was our reward for sticking with our timer. LOL But it was so nice having someone to brainstorm and bounce new ideas around with.
Thanks for stopping by.
Glad you joined us on Authors’ Secrets! Your collaboration sounds like a lot of fun and hard work.
So happy to be here. Thank you, Tena!
Thanks Donna for stopping by! Have a great week.
Wow, that takes a lot of work, but you both seem to have found a way to make it successful. That’s awesome! Good luck with the book, and future collaborations!
Thanks, Jennifer. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. We have another idea we’re tossing around. 🙂
Hey Jennifer, thanks for stopping by. I agree it sounds like a lot of work, but well worth it.
Ahhhhh, Sandra who knew meeting through writing, and collaborating on a book would be the adventure where I found the best BFF ever! Thanks so much for sharing our story and our fabulous book baby.
Suzanne, great t have you and Sandra here with us today. Your books sounds like a great adventure in reading and writing!
Suzanne, I’m SO glad our Pensacola friends and writers brought us together.
We were bound to be BFF’s. We love the same college team! And we keep the airways hot on game day. 🙂
Interesting! I’ve always wondered what it would be like to collaborate on a book. Sounds like you gals have figured out all the angles. Sounds like a lot of fun too. Thanks for sharing.
It was a rewarding experience, CB. Thanks for visiting.
CB. Thanks for stopping by! Collaboration sounds like it could be fun and rewarding but a lot of work.
I used to live in Milton, so was in Destin quite a lot, especially for soccer tournaments. Miss it there!
Michelle, thanks for popping by!
Michelle, you’d recognize all of the locations in Destin mentioned in our book. 🙂 Thanks for commenting! Now I know we were “neighbors” for a while.
Love the idea of collaborating and am considering a little book with help of my yoga teacher. Thanks for the suggestions!
Hey Susan! Collaborating does sound challenging, but in their case fun and well worth it. Thanks for stopping by!
Best of luck, Susan. It’s a blast!
Thanks for sharing this experience Sandy. I found it very inspiring! I sometimes feel very solo so it was nice to think of the two of you hashing out a wonderful book. Best to you, DeeDee
Thanks DeeDee for stopping by!
DeeDee, you are so right about our (often) solo journey. It’s awesome having writing “sisters” with TWRP. Bet there are lots of collaboration opportunities just waiting out there. 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by!