Anyone ever attempted writing a novel with another person?

Could more than one person create a storyline that makes sense to the reader?
I'm planning a more adventurous project - a book with 100 authors!
Each author writes approximately 1000 words and has the freedom to take the story in any direction and creating characters.

Hope to start January 1.

John


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Apart from anything else, I think this could be a unique experiment.

I have heard it being done before online. The main sticking points were: who should go next; would one person be in charge of editing it all; and would there be a restriction on content (sex, violence, horror, genre, etc). Also it was very har to get more than a handful of writers interested in reading and contributing to what was basically other people's work.

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oops hard not 'har'.

Hi John, and welcome to WW.

I've heard of this idea being tried many times before, but never heard of one that succeeded, I'm afraid. The problems, in addition to what Naomi mentions are numerous. For instance; if each contributor is allowed to take the story in any direction they like – so long as it’s suitable – then the story will be lost. There may be a theme, but where’s the cohesion? You will inevitably have up to 100 different styles and standards of writing, and the story will wander aimlessly. Who decides what is or isn't suitable? And supposing the resulting book did achieve high sales, who owns the copyright and how are the royalties distributed?

As you can probably guess, I've had a look at your website. It seems to me that, as you are using PayPal, you're charging contributors… is this right? If so, you ought to make it more clear what people would have to pay to be part of this venture.

Dee

Hi Dee, Naomi
Thanks for your replies. Very good points you make.
I've responded in bold below :

Naomi
I have heard it being done before online. The main sticking points were: who should go next;
Each author would contribute on a first come, first served basis.

would one person be in charge of editing it all; and would there be a restriction on content (sex, violence, horror, genre, etc).
I was actually thinking it would be more interesting without editing. And yes there would be a restriction on sexual, extreme violence, racism etc.

Also it was very har to get more than a handful of writers interested in reading and contributing to what was basically other people's work.
In reality, it wouldn't simply be someone else's work but a whole novel with each author making a significant contribution.

Dee
I've heard of this idea being tried many times before, but never heard of one that succeeded, I'm afraid. The problems, in addition to what Naomi mentions are numerous. For instance; if each contributor is allowed to take the story in any direction they like – so long as it’s suitable – then the story will be lost. There may be a theme, but where’s the cohesion?
That's all part of the interest and uniqueness. To see a finished novel by 100 people and to consider whether it is cohesive or not. To observe how each author continues the theme or changes direction.

Contd next post...

Dee

You will inevitably have up to 100 different styles and standards of writing, and the story will wander aimlessly.
Again, I feel that's part of the attraction of the project. The reader will be informed before they begin reading that 100 authors have contributed and can read the novel with this perspective.

Who decides what is or isn't suitable? And supposing the resulting book did achieve high sales, who owns the copyright and how are the royalties distributed?
I would personally take responsibility for any objectionable material as mentioned above and would want to make sure all contributors are rewarded should the book be a success.

As you can probably guess, I've had a look at your website. It seems to me that, as you are using PayPal, you're charging contributors… is this right? If so, you ought to make it more clear what people would have to pay to be part of this venture.
I have asked for a minimal fee from each author of £10($20).
I feel this is fair to ensure I am not wasting time. I believe if prospective authors contribute in order to take part, they will be more likely to follow through and complete their assignment.
Should any author delay in completing their 1000 word piece, they will simply move further down the list but will still be able to contribute to the novel.

All in all, I think this could be a novel novel!
John

So… let me get this straight.

You're asking £10 for each of 100 contributors? That means you make, up front, £1,000. Exactly what do the contributors get out of that?

And you haven’t really answered my question about copyright, which is – as you can imagine – an important factor with writers.

To be honest, this has so many similarities to several scams we've seen on here, you need to make very clear that this is not in the same stable.

Dee

I was actually thinking it would be more interesting without editing.

No editing? Well there’s a novelty! So it’s going to be what… mis-spelled, badly composed… first draft? And we all know – those of us who are writers – that first draft… the sort of stuff pushed out to meet a three-day deadline… needs editing.

Who exactly is this going to appeal to? In today’s market… where’s your audience?

I would personally take responsibility for any objectionable material

So there obviously is some level of editorial decision. Can you give us some idea of your experience in this, and what your level is?

For instance - is this simply your personal definition of what is objectionable?

Hi Dee
I actually considerd the fee to join the group a pretty minimal amount to be honest!

I think scam is a bit of a hard word to use to someone you don't know.
I'm sure you can see what could happen if there is no fee.
Prospective authors come along keen to participate and simply don't bother fulfilling their assignment on time or at all.

As for copyright, I would expect to have copyright as the organizer, but I do feel if there is to be any profit, ALL contributors should share. Even if there is no profit, the finished article could simply be an ebook.

When I say unedited, I didn't mean leaving spelling mistakes uncorrected. I assumed that would be understood.
What I do mean though is that I would prefer to leave the text untouched so that the final product is what it should be : A novel by 100 different authors, of different age groups, different backgrounds etc.
To edit the book in the normal manner would be to remove the individuality therein.

As for objectionable material, I refer specifically to sexual content, extreme violence, racist comments and the like. I want to see a novel that I can share with my family including children.
Too many novels unfortunately rely on sex and violence.
There are still thousands of readers out there who can enjoy novels without that.
I would simply reject submissions of this nature and return the fee.

If you have any concern over a £10 fee, I would gladly waive the fee in your case on the basis that we've had some communication and I know you are an established writer.

I will be writing the first 1000 words for January 1. If you wish to join me as second author, you are most welcome!

John

Firstly: I didn’t say this was a scam. I said it was similar to several scams we’ve seen on here.

As for copyright, I would expect to have copyright as the organizer,

So you would take credit for other people’s writing?

If you have any concern over a £10 fee, I would gladly waive the fee in your case on the basis that we've had some communication and I know you are an established writer. I will be writing the first 1000 words for January 1. If you wish to join me as second author, you are most welcome!

Actually, I'm not an established writer, so you might like to correct your records on that. And sorry but, no, I don’t wish to join you as second author.

Dee

One more question.
Will you be submitting the completed manuscript to Literary Agents? Or will you be self-publishing and inviting contributors to each buy a copy?

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(NB, you have zero chance of having it accepted by an Agent).

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Or will you be self-publishing and inviting contributors to each buy a copy?

That route is why some writers would consider it a scam.

You're getting too deep on this Dee.

Just want to write a book with 100 authors! I think it could be an interesting project and it's not about money, it's about the pleasure of doing it.
A minimal £10 fee is not much to ask and it gives us cash in hand to defray costs in publishing even if just for ourselves.
I'm not taking credit for other people's writing either. Every author gets credited.
Is it possible for 100 people to have copyright???

Couldn't really care less about success in publishing or lack of it.
If it become a book that interests others good and well.
If not, we won't die.
We can still enjoy the experience.
Acceptance or non-acceptance by agents doesn't mean we can't share in an interesting project.

Many people do still write for pleasure.

You're getting too deep on this Dee.

I'm not the only one raising questions - and I do believe these questions should be raised, as they're ones that might not occur to less-experienced writers on the site.

Dee

Just to add my two penneth...

I wouldn't be comfortable paying any figure to lose copyright of my work to something which may or may not be published. I agree a lot of people write for pleasure, but to charge them for it doens't quite seem right.

To give you an idea of figures: I run a writing group and last year we put together and self published an anthology. The book cost a little under £5 per copy (including printing, binding and shipping from the US). That shows a) it can be done for A LOT less than £10 per person and b) shows that to make that original contribution back you would need to sell A LOT of copies. We all know how poorly collections sell on the high street so this, without professional editing et al, and not in book shops doesn't really stand a chance.

If I may make a suggestion... How about setting this up as a blog? That way it would be free, it would be visible to all who wanted to look at it and it would be obvious who the work was by and who owned the copyright. You could even set it up so that it would be available as a free download.

Sorry to be negative. As Dee's said we have seen plenty of things like this which are scams.

The most important point is this: people should NEVER EVER EVER be charged to write something. It should be the other way round.

All the best

Nik.

If this is an exercise in writing purely for the pleasure of it, with no expectation of publication, then you need to make that clear on your website. You may consider £10 to be a minimal amount but a writer may well consider it a contribution towards publication and be rather annoyed if that proves not to be the case and you are pocketing the £1000.

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oops, crossed with Nik.