How to Co-Write a Novel

5. Techniques to Try

Before you plunge into co-writing your full-length novel, you should probably attempt writing together at least once or twice. It is best to practice the form that you will be writing your novel in, but here are several other fun techniques to try:

1) Word-by-word; you have probably tried this one before. You switch authors every word of the story. Once you get good at this, you can try alternating authors every sentence, then paragraph.

2) One of you tells the story, the other narrates. See example below...

Bob: He fights the knight, but is disarmed almost right away.

Lily: Sir. Richard leaps courageously at the mysterious man. Before his sword can penetrate his gold armour however, it is knocked right out of his hands. Open mouthed, Sir. Richard stares at the stranger.

3) Role-Playing. This is a fun one, where you both pick a character (you can create them, or pick them from your story), then you converse as if you are your character. This can be a great way to explore character as well as get ready to co-write.

4) Write a story backwards. Here’s a challenge... It is fairly self-explanatory, and I would love  to see your results. Hint; it gets harder the more detail you go into. See the example below...

Lily: The princess and rogue kiss, celebrating their victory in the mighty battle.

Bob: Letting out one final roar, the dragon crashes to the floor. Dead at last.

Lily: Sneaking up behind dragon, the rogue stabs it in the exposed underside of it’s belly.

Bob: The dragon manages to grab the princess, and she screams as she is raised toward it’s massive, toothy mouth.

5) Write a story on a picture. Find an interesting photograph, and practice planning out an entire story based on the picture (beginning, middle, and end). Another twist is to both plan a different story based on the same picture, and see what you come up with.