Thursday, February 5, 2009

Can I Write Alone?

All right, so I was interviewed about writing with a partner, and now I am wondering, "Could I write alone, if I wanted to?" I really want to give the Karate Pigs story a try, and Becky isn't as available as she used to be. When we started writing together, she was a stay-at-home mom, but last year, she took a job working in an elementary school. So, now when I'm free (mornings while my kids attend preschool) she is not.

My parents believe I can do it on my own. They had absolutely no confidence in my ability to find a husband, but they seem to think that when it comes to writing for kids, I have what it takes.

I have a great opening. (and I usually suck at beginnings)

I have the entire plot. (That's the nice thing about fractured fairy tales; the story is already outlined for you.)

And I have the rhythm and rhyme skills (I don't think anyone has done a Pigs story in rhyme, but correct me if I am wrong)

So, why am I completely stuck after only three stanzas? Am I just lazy (like the first little pig?) Or insecure? Or do I really need a partner to fill in the holes in my thinking?

I am a big believer that the whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just keep going!!!! I fully expect to see a draft at the next powwow!

Katie Anderson said...

You absolutely can do it! I started with a partner too. We wrote movies. And then she wrote a novel and I thought, "wow. I will NEVER be able to do that." And I tried a pic book. And then I tried a novel. and I did it! I finished a kick a$$ novel! (if I do say so myself :-)

SO, you CAN do it! You have to just keep writing. Everyday. Don't give up. Keep writing. Keep writing. Eventually it will come.

I promise.

SF and I still write movies together. But we write other stuff alone. And it all helps everything.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie Anderson said...

I also refer to Laini Taylors blog frequently about her process.

www.growwings.blogspot.com

Look at her Not for Robots blog. There is a link there. AND her last 2 posts are about process too,

invaluable!

Unknown said...

Of course you can do it it on your own! That's what a writer does: write. Just write away and see what happens.

Corey Schwartz said...

Aw, thanka so much for all the words on encouragement everyone.

Tara, got a draft done which you shall soon see!

Katie, I will definitely check out that link.

Beth, you've still got me thinking about that author dilemma. I had so much fun writing this, that i don't even really care if anyone sees it. So, i think I made the right call by picking "one guaranteed book deal."

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

i think its time for you to make your own destiny. try one on your own. You may be surprised :)

Unknown said...

YES YOU CAN write alone. And you will. The pigs are yours; nobody else's. Do not share the pigs.

Rebecca Gomez said...

Corey,

I knew you could do it! Now, that's not to say that we shouldn't keep writing together. I love our Saturday morning sessions (and what eventually results from them).

BookChook said...

I wish we had time some day to write a book together, Corey. But that is a little selfish because I know I would learn so much! Meanwhile, we all know you can and will do it. No fair making up blog posts for something that's a done deal!

Unknown said...

You're probably just stuck in the habit of writing as a set.
If you can write as two you can certainly write alone, you just need to find that mindset that works for you.
Listen to me, like some expert in the field when I've never written a book in my life!

The very best of luck x

Corey Schwartz said...

Ha! Book Chook, no. I wrote the blog post on Feb 5th and finished the draft on the 6th!

Lindsay said...

Go for it! I still would like to see the Never Have a Dog Watch your Lunch book too! I love that idea.

J.A. Palermo said...

Corey:

Are you in a crit group now? While no one in my group writes together (although we have toyed with different ideas to do so) we do bounce ideas off each other and certainly help in all areas as we draft away.

Corey Schwartz said...

Judy,

I am in a group that meets the exact same time as yours! I am toying with the idea of leaving though, Because i am really the only PB writer. Mostly YA, some MG.

I would love to meet you guys some time. Your blog is fabulous!

C