Today I am excited to welcome co-authors and guest bloggers Dave & Lillian Brummet who share the secrets of team writing. Remember to take a moment to comment on this post to be entered into a great giveaway, and for more entries don’t forget to visit other blogs hosting authors on their virtual book tours.
A lot of people ask us how we manage to work together as a married couple. Most writers realize that there are certain techniques to use, and compromises to make when dealing with a co-writer situation. We are no different. We currently have three books published – two of which were co-written with my husband, Dave. Today I’ll share how we accommodate and compliment each other.
My strengths lie in organization, marketing, recordkeeping, communications, research and typing. However, while I might gather a majority of the content – Dave is the fellow that makes sure the product is well organized, runs smoothly from one topic to the next and one paragraph to the next. Dave is an exceptional editor and proofreader, and his graphic skills are an incredible aide to our career. Because of this, before we even start writing a query letter the manuscript, the drafts for the book cover and marketing materials are as pristine as possible. Dave also has more technical skills than I so he does a majority of the website maintenance, graphic ad design and providing images to the media according to fit their needs.
I am a morning person, although I can be found in the office until late in the evening at times. While Dave likes to get
other things done before he heads for the office, I am just the opposite – I like to get the important office stuff done first, then I worry about the rest of the house or family needs. Usually my office time starts at 7 AM and can often run until 3 PM or later. Dave’s office time usually starts around the time I am leaving. I’m not sure how we would have balanced having only one computer and one office all these years if we weren’t utilizing each other’s internal clocks. (We just purchased another computer and can hardly wait to have it set up and start using it!)
other things done before he heads for the office, I am just the opposite – I like to get the important office stuff done first, then I worry about the rest of the house or family needs. Usually my office time starts at 7 AM and can often run until 3 PM or later. Dave’s office time usually starts around the time I am leaving. I’m not sure how we would have balanced having only one computer and one office all these years if we weren’t utilizing each other’s internal clocks. (We just purchased another computer and can hardly wait to have it set up and start using it!)I try to group things I need from Dave together, unless I’m facing a deadline, so that he isn’t bothered every 2 hours or so with a new image that I need him to create, for instance. We try to look for ways of complementing each other’s work patterns, and abilities rather than being combative. When schedules are constrained or deadlines are looming, rather than keeping track of how much more work was put in by one of us - we look for ways of helping the person who has more on their plate.
We have mini-meetings regularly, whenever the need strikes and we talk about how we will prioritize projects we are working on and delegate some of the tasks on hand. We prompt each other to do the follow ups or project completions when necessary and we dream, dream, dream… lol – there are a lot of projects and ideas set aside for some future date 
because of these brainstorming sessions!
because of these brainstorming sessions!~ ~ ~ ~
- Dave & Lillian Brummet -
Authors of:
- Purple Snowflake Marketing – How to Make Your Book Stand Out In A Crowd
- Trash Talk – Learn how you can impact the planet
-Towards Understanding – a collection of 120 poems on society, the environment & overcoming trauma.
Hosts of:
Conscious Discussions talk radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions
Authors Read radio program: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsread
Blog: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com
Websites:
http://www.myspace.com/canadianauthor
http://www.brummet.ca
My Books
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for having me here on Alissa Grosso’s Blog! I had a wonderful time
Lillian
It’s so cool to read about how other writers collaborate! Thanks for the great interview Alissa!
.-= Lisa and Laura´s last blog ..Phobic Friday =-.
Great post! I’m off to check out all the links.
.-= HeatherM´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse~Main Character Inspiration =-.
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for having me here on Alissa Grosso’s Blog! I had a wonderful time
Lillian