[Note from Frolic: We are so excited to have authors K.L. Grayson and Kristen Proby guest post on the site today. Take it away ladies!]
Kristen: So, shall we tell the people all about our first foray into the co-writing world?
K.L.: Let’s do it! Do you remember how we got started? It seems so long ago when we first chatted about it!
Kristen: I’m pretty sure Jesus was a boy when I told you that we would write a book together. You totally blew me off at first, but I was dead serious!
K.L.: LOL I wasn’t trying to blow you off! We’ve been friends for so long, and I remembered that you told me once that you would never co-write a book! Obviously that changed, but I don’t know if I ever asked you why. What made you decide to want to co-write?
Kristen: I guess I wanted to see if I could do it because it was a challenge that I never thought I’d be terribly good at. It’s not that I don’t play well with others, but… I don’t play well with others. LOL I trust you, and I knew that if I decided it wasn’t for me, our friendship would remain in tact. That was the most important thing!
K.L.: Was it as challenging as you thought it would be, or easier than expected?
Kristen: It was honestly both. In the beginning, it was tough for me because I’m not used to someone going back through what I’ve just written to change or tweak it. So, giving up that control took some getting used to. But after a few chapters, and adjusting my own perception on it, I think it went really smoothly! What about you? What made you decide to do it?
K.L.: I think you handled it well! And I’m grateful that you trusted me to play with your words! Honestly, I was skeptical at first, and not because I didn’t trust you, or because I didn’t want to give up control. I was nervous because I didn’t want it to change the dynamics of our friendship. If the book failed and everyone hated it, I didn’t want that to change anything between us. I ultimately decided to go with it because I know that our friendship is stronger than any book we could write. And my heart is so happy now because readers are loving Already Gone!
Kristen: Aww, I didn’t know that! You’re right, we’ll withstand anything that happens with this book, and that’s why I moved forward as well. I also liked that we agreed before we wrote the book that there was no pressure. It was for fun, and if we either didn’t like it, or didn’t want to publish it, that was okay. But I’m so happy we decided to publish and that the early reviews are SO GOOD! Readers are really loving this story.
K.L.: So before the book releases, if we’re going by experience alone, do you think you would ever co-write again?
Kristen: If it was with you, absolutely. What about you? Did you enjoy the process?
K.L.: Aww, I heart* you, Proby. I feel the same way! And I had a lot of fun writing it. It was nice to have someone as invested in the story as me! Do you have any advice for an author who is thinking of co-writing?
Kristen: I have a ton of advice. LOL First, I would say make sure the person you’re thinking of writing with is someone you trust implicitly, and not just with your story, but with your business. I think it’s important to work with someone who runs their business similarly to how you do, and has a similar work ethic. What about you?
K.L: That’s great advice! My advice would be to make sure you have an open mind and an open line of communication with whoever you’re writing with. I feel like we excelled in that area!
Kristen: Oh yes, that’s excellent advice as well. Communication is key. I always know that I can say just about anything to you because I know that you know where my heart is. And vice versa.
K.L.: Look at us, nailing this co-author thing! I’m glad we jumped on to chat about it.
Kristen: Me, too! Happy release week to us!