Behind-The-Scenes of Collection Writing
By Teresa Tysinger
I often hear from readers that they most enjoy hearing about
the behind-the-scenes life of authors. What goes into creating the stories
printed on pages (or screens for you eBook readers), methods of researching,
what gets left on the cutting room floor, or even what snacks a writer keeps on
hand while drafting.
Today, I thought I’d share some behind-the-scenes stuff of
collection writing. It’s particularly fitting since today I’m celebrating the
release of Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection along with
authors Jaycee Weaver, Toni Shiloh, Mikal Dawn, and Andrea Boyd! More on this
sweet collection later on.
Collections are quite popular these days. Usually consisting
of between three and six novellas, these sets give authors the opportunity to
write stories connected by one location, theme, or holiday. The novellas in the
Something Borrowed collection are connected by five friends who pass
along a special “something borrowed” over the course of a few years as they
each plan their Christmas weddings.
But how do these collections come to be? What are the
challenges? And will I ever do one again? Maybe you’ll be surprised by the
answers…
The Birth of a Collection
For us, the idea for the collection came about much like our
individual books. We brainstormed ideas that interested us—themes and topics we
personally enjoy in life and while reading. So, we landed on Christmas and
weddings! After settling on the main theme, we brainstormed in our Facebook
group how the stories might further be connected. After throwing around a lot
of ideas, someone suggested that sharing a “something borrowed” could easily
connect friends who lived in different states and were getting married in different
years. It allowed us to keep our own preferred settings, which was nice! We
then submitted a synopsis for each of our stories before beginning to write.
From there, we write our stories and go through our
individual editing processes. As indie authors, we also worked together on
deciding on the cover design (which I was excited to get to execute), schedule
of pre-orders and release, marketing (Toni has done a lot of the organizing for
this area!), and final push to promote to our communities of readers. It’s a
big job made easier with a team!
Ups and Downs of
Collection Writing
I think it’s safe to speak for my team of writers when I say
that the challenges for us were very minimal. Jaycee, Toni, Mikal, and Andrea
really have become dear friends. Thankfully, after countless conversations,
back-and-forth text messages, lots of (constructive) critiquing of one
another’s stories, and keeping up with lots of little deadlines, we’ve come out
of it better friends than when we started. I think it’s also safe to say,
however, that the biggest challenge we ran into had to do with little details.
Deciding to connect our stories with even a loose tie of the “something
borrowed,” made it difficult to keep our timelines straight and make sure
references to each other’s characters was accurate. Thank goodness for the
editing process!
Recently, a reader asked me if collection writing falls into
the category of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Without a doubt, it can be
more challenging to settle on even little details when there are five opinions
to consider. The five of us had to come to a consensus on things like fonts for
the cover design, how to format chapter headings, and even the name of the
bridal shop the friends visit in the opening of the collection. Thankfully, for
us, there wasn’t anything we wholeheartedly disagreed on.
Will I Ever Write in a
Collection Again?
I mentioned in an interview recently that I am naturally not
a team player. I was one of those kids in school who hated group projects. I
still am most comfortable working alone. But—and this is a big but—I cannot
tell you how much this process has blessed me.
Thanks to this particular group of authors, I now have true
friends who I cherish more for their hearts than for their professional
connections. God willing, I don’t think this will be the last time I write with
these brilliant, funny, kind women. The experience has been so positive that I
look forward to possible opportunities to write within other collection groups,
too. For this, I am most grateful to Jaycee, Toni, Mikal, and Andrea for
creating such a positive experience.
It’s been a joy to chat with you! I hope this gives you a
little insight into how a collection comes together. Do you have other
questions about the process? Post a comment and I’d be happy to answer the best
I can!
About Something Borrowed:
Christmas Weddings Collection
AVAILABLE NOW in
Paperback and eBook [buy link: https://amzn.to/3dDQBK7]
Old friends, new loves, and
a borrowed tiara.
Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver — Hanady’s
planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn’t the groom.
If she can’t see she’s marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won’t be the only
thing broken.
All the Moore by Toni Shiloh — Leilah Anderson has been
living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore
face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between
them?
A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn — A dream
wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t
know it…
Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger — When
not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth’s holiday wedding
and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett
melt away?
A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd — Lydia Osborn
hasn’t heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up
proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?
Follow the Authors:
Jaycee Weaver: Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads Instagram Bookbub
Toni Shiloh: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Bookbub
Mikal Dawn: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Bookbub
Teresa Tysinger: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Bookbub
Andrea Boyd: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads Bookbub
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment for Teresa and the other authors in this collection! Also, leave your email in a non-spammy format (jane at doe dot com), and I will send ONE handmade bookmark to a winner next week. US ONLY (lower 48) Giveaway ends 10/24/20
***Bookmark may be different in style/color than the one pictured.***
