Collaborated

Hannah Moore and I recently collaborated on writing a micro fiction (Placing Wagers) for a Vocal + Assist Facebook group Lost in the Story challenge. Neither of us had ever written anything with another writer and was unsure how to proceed. We worked with a 300-word limit on this challenge to make matters even more complicated. Here are some takeaways from working with an author from ‘across the pond’ and for first-time collaborators.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

• Words aren’t always spelled the same. We had a heck of a time correcting the word mustache every time the draft was passed back and forth. We could have saved some time if we would have realized it earlier.

• Even though we both speak and write in English, our tones differ. Americans don’t use the word sod, whereas Britains do. It is no big deal for me, though; I love the differences in our English language.
• The time difference did not affect us. Hannah’s evening was my day. I am disabled and unemployed, so I have the free time to be flexible with my schedule. The time difference may affect others who attempt to collaborate, so consider it.
• We should have used Google Docs for the whole draft. Instead, we sent the current back and forth through Facebook Messenger. If I ever do another collaboration, I will insist on using something like Google Docs.
• Do not collaborate with someone whose writing you do not at least respect. I got lucky in my choice; I love Hannah’s writing. I think her writing is excellent.
• Whether you are writing a micro fiction, short story, or a novel, be sure to agree on stopping points, word count, and the language or the tone of the story.
• Try to find a shared interest to write about. Hannah and I devised the idea while discussing our love of the movie The Princess Bride. We decided to write the story because of a Vocal + Assist challenge.
• Have fun with it. There is no sense in collaborating or writing if you do not have fun with it. So try to loosen up and have fun.
• Do not be afraid to let the ideas flow. Brainstorming is what you need to do anyway to write; have fun with it. Come up with all kinds of ideas. Put the ones together that you like.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Placing Wagers is a humorous short story about two peasants who happen upon the cliffside fight scene in The Princess Bride. Check it out in the link below.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Hannah Moore is a British Writer who enjoys writing and hopes to have the time to write a novel someday. She is very friendly and outgoing, placing her family first. Hardworking and diligent, Hannah only stops once her job is completed. She has been on Vocal since June 2022 and is an excellent writer who makes one feel her writing; check out her articles in the link below.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Vocal + Assist is a group on Facebook for Vocal writers to gather and share their stories, get advice, and socialize. Feel free to join the group and help make Vocal and Facebook brighter and better sites. Together we are better. Check them out in the link below.