{"id":448,"date":"2013-08-12T11:34:34","date_gmt":"2013-08-12T15:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blinkyabooks.com\/?p=448"},"modified":"2026-01-02T08:18:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T08:18:51","slug":"the-co-writing-mystery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.harpercollinsfocus.hcusweb.com\/blinkyabooks\/the-co-writing-mystery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Co-writing Mystery by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon"},"content":{"rendered":"

It comes up at every signing, writing conference, and even at the softball field. With expressions varying from horror to awe it\u2019s always some form of the same question: You co-wrote DOON? How on earth does that work?<\/i><\/p>\n

Well, lucky readers, you\u2019re about to find out!<\/p>\n

THE CHOICE<\/span><\/p>\n

As newbie authors, Carey and I started out as friends and critique partners. We\u2019d just finished editing our respective solo projects and were discussing what we each wanted to write next.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d been kicking around the idea of doing a retelling of Brigadoon and it seemed appropriate that I should write it through the lens of my teenage self, since I\u2019d seen the musical for the first time as a starry eyed, hormone crazed sixteen-year-old. Coincidentally, Carey had just completed her second young adult novel, so I was picking her brain on voice and technique when somewhere along the way our conversation took a detour. Our ideas for the mythical kingdom of Doon sparked an explosion of evil witches, magic spells, daring adventures, two unique best friends, and heroic princes in kilts \u2026 soon it became clear that this story was bigger than the both of us, but that together we could make it amazing!<\/p>\n

So we jumped in with both feet and DOON was born.<\/p>\n

THE PROCESS<\/span><\/p>\n

Our process is pretty straight forward. We each write a main character and their respective heroes. Carey writes Mackenna Reid: the fun, drama-geek with an irreverent sense of humor, and Duncan MacCrae: the charming, boy-next-door prince.<\/p>\n

I write Veronica Welling: the perfect-on-the-outside cheerleader who hides a life of adversity behind her wide smile, and Jamie MacCrae: the intense crown prince who\u2019s tortured about choosing what he wants versus what\u2019s best for his kingdom.<\/p>\n

Our plotting process is a little less meticulous. We\u2019d both love to be \u201cpantsers\u201d who let our characters dictate the plot as we go along, but we\u2019ve learned over the extensive revision process of the first Doon novel that this is not practical. So we start with a basic outline that morphs into a more detailed synopsis and we try to stick to that plan\u2026with a few interesting detours along the way.<\/p>\n

For the first draft, Carey writes chapters from Kenna\u2019s point of view and I write Vee\u2019s chapters. We each tweak our characters\u2019 dialogue (girls and princes) in the other writer\u2019s chapters.<\/p>\n

Once we\u2019ve written the first draft, we both edit and revise the entire manuscript. Each of us touch and polish every sentence, giving the overall story a more cohesive feel. Our goal is that the two main characters have distinctive voices in a way that\u2019s not disjointed.<\/p>\n

Sometimes in revision, we have to restructure. This can mean scenes or entire chapters switch character points of view. For example, the tavern chapter in Alloway and the dungeon scenes in DOON have been written from both Kenna and Vee\u2019s POVs.<\/p>\n

In the revision process for the first DOON book, we actually switched from alternating chapters to a more Vee-centric story that was a 65\/35 split (approx.). This meant that several of the chapters told from Kenna\u2019s perspective had to be rewritten for Vee. While this might seem like a loss for Kenna, it actually made for a more focused, dynamic story that will allow us to segue into a more Kenna-centric sequel. (Look for several of Kenna\u2019s \u201clost\u201d chapters to surface as bonus material as we gear up for the release of book 2.)<\/p>\n

THE ADVANTAGES <\/span><\/p>\n

Carey and I, much like our characters, are opposite in a way that makes for a perfect balance. As writers, we each bring different technical strengths to the table. As people, we push each other to see life through a broader more vivid scope. And as friends, we help one another through the ups and downs of the publishing industry and life in general.<\/p>\n

The process of writing with a co-author is fun and dynamic. Splitting responsibilities such as blogging, promotions, and social networking is a great blessing. But the biggest advantage is that you have someone who is equally invested. Someone you can call at midnight with a brilliant plot idea, who won\u2019t<\/i> curse you out and block your phone number. In a solitary industry, having someone beside you through the victories and defeats is beyond measure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Incidentally, after Lorie wrote this post she sent it to me, Carey, to enhance and tweak. I sent it back to Lorie for a final pass before forwarding it to BLINK. It\u2019s just what we do. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It comes up at every signing, writing conference, and even at the softball field. With expressions varying from horror to awe it\u2019s always some form of the same question: You co-wrote DOON? How on earth does that work? Well, lucky readers, you\u2019re about to find out! THE CHOICE As newbie authors, Carey and I started […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-notes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Co-writing Mystery by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon - Blink YA Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.harpercollinsfocus.hcusweb.com\/blinkyabooks\/the-co-writing-mystery\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Co-writing Mystery by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon - Blink YA Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It comes up at every signing, writing conference, and even at the softball field. 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