Originally Cailin and Anna began the writing journey by crafting the first six chapters of our book. This was decided along the lines of "Do you want to write the first three and then I'll start with chapter four and x event?" Then, when Kelly joined us, we sat down together and meticulously outlined the remainder of the story. We had sectioned the book into three parts: the beginning, middle and end. Each part contained 8-10 major events that we wanted to occur. With Kelly a part of the plan, we too these three parts and fleshed them out into chapters. Our approached was deliberate; each of us would take turns writing a chapter. We would divide the chapters into section of three and then each of us would pick which of those three chapters we wanted to write. At times, there were certain events that someone felt passionate about writing and so that person would get to write that chapter. Because of the way we divided the writing assignments, it is possible to have two chapters back to back written by the same author or have the same authors chapters nearly six chapters apart! While each chapter had 1-2 major event or was a filler chapter to help move the story to the next event, the specific details of how the characters got there was largely left entirely up to that specific author. The next author would then have to read where the story had left off and merge the story into their chapter and events, creating and incredibly unique process and story.
This method ensured that every part of the book reflected our distinct voices and strengths as writers. Anna shines in dialogue, skillfully bringing our characters to life through their interactions and conversations. Cailin excels in adding rich descriptions and details, painting vivid scenes that immerse readers in the world we've created. Kelly's keen eye for detail and knack for identifying potholes, and her ability to craft dynamic action scenes brought an essential layer of depth and coherence to our narrative. Together, our collaboration has been a blend of our individual talents and styles, weaving together a cohesive story that reflects the best of each of us.
Once the initial manuscript was complete, we delved into the editing process merging our distinct writing styles to enhance the narrative. We focused on adding more depth to the story, perfecting dialogue to make it more authentic and filling any plot holes that emerged during our collaborative writing process. I recall numerous instances where Kelly would astutely point out inconsistencies like, "um.. when did they get up from the bench?" or humorously question, "Wait, how did they go from that room to this room? Did they teleport? It's 1775!" These observations helped maintain the historical accuracy and logical flow of the plot.
Anna brought her unique perspective, often questioning Kelly if, "feeling like a lobster a good feeling?" or is a "kiss that feels like a bomb exploded in my head" a good feeling or the most historically correct way of describing a "mind blowing" kiss" Her insights added layers of introspection and thematic richness to our character's experiences and emotions.
Meanwhile, both Anna and Kelly occasionally nudged Cailin to rein in her penchant for extensive descriptions. "Wait are we still describing the flowers?" Anna would question often. They were quick to remind her that readers had grasp the scene's ambiance from the first paragraph and that there was no need to use the word "vibrant" at every possible opportunity.
During the editing process we ended up adding ten more chapters to the manuscript to ensure cohesiveness and clarity. This proved quite stressful as we were on a tight deadline to get the manuscript to our beta readers. But, we were determined to perfect the manuscript for our beta readers, knowing that their feedback would be crucial for refining the final product. However, we also faced the reality that perfection is elusive, especially in such a collaborative and intricate project. As we meticulously crafted these additional chapters, our goals remained clear: to tie up loose ends, deepen character development, and resolve any lingering plot threads in a way that felt natural and satisfying yet left the reader craving more. Each chapter underwent extensive editing and revision to ensure consistency, with the exception of one of the last chapters we added and forgot to edit before sending it off!
Despite the pressure, our passion for the story and our commitment to delivering a compelling read kept us motivated. We embraced the challenges knowing that every tweak and adjustment brought us closer to achieving our vision for "A Symphony of Flames and Liberty."
Now, with the manuscript complete and in the hands of our beta readers we await their insights and feedback with anticipation and nerves. Their perspectives will undoubtedly guide us in making final adjustments before we share our labor of love with the world.
Until the next time the tea is poured,
A.C.K. McClure
Related Posts
