Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Doing it TOGETHER!


Most of the time, I write single title stories and I have a new series, too, but sometimes it's fun to shake things up a bit. Last year, I did the Mistletoe Magic series with Desiree Holt and Cindy Spencer Pape, two very close author friends.

We came up with a holiday premise about three Texas sisters and before we knew it, we each had written stories that really flowed together and then we wrapped it up with a jointly-written quickie to end things.Turns out it was a LOT of fun. We brainstormed together, discussed covers together and often promoted together. At first I was a little hesitant to try something new but as it turns out, it was just the thing I needed to jump start other singular projects.Since then, the three of us have decided it was so much fun we want to do it again and, yeah, I'm excited about it.


Most recently I've done a very fun project with some other mighty fine authors and Resplendence Publishing.The Carnal Reunions Anthology tells the story of a group of young women who lived together in college. They were great friends and ten years later, when their college reunion rolls around they don't hesitate to re-connect with each other AND the men they'd left behind. This collection of short stories will release November 10 at Resplendence and includes Anny Cook, Cindy Spencer Pape, Taylor Tryst, Tessie Bradford, Paris Brandon, Fran Lee and myself. Let me tell you, it's challenging to work together to make things RIGHT and get the details down pat but it's also fun and a nice little break from all the solitary stuff we do from day to day. Yesterday our covers came in. They're all the same except for title, author and color scheme. Mine is displayed here.So, I guess, the moral of the story is...don't hesitate to try new things. Sometimes it's just what you need to shake things up. You meet and work with other authors and make new friends, too. A win win situation!

9 comments:

Anne Rainey said...

I love stories like this! I can't wait to read all of them, Regina!!

Celia Kyle said...

I'm totally with you there. I LOVE writing linked stories and just writing with a partner at times. Especially if they're as whacked out as I am. ;)

Cindy Spencer Pape said...

Writing with Regina is always a blast! And yeah, I know, I need to get moving on my story for the Texas Ecstasy project!

Regina Carlysle said...

The Carnal Reunions stories are really short but all connected by characters and the past they shared. I loved doing it. Let's face it, things can get stale sometimes and stepping out of the box helps get the creativity flowing again.

Regina Carlysle said...

Snicker. I hear ya, Cindy! I haven't written a WORD yet but think most is rolling around in my head somewhere. And yes, I love writing with you too. A good partnership.

julia barrett said...

Sounds like a lot of fun. It will be very interesting to read what you ladies come up with!

Allie Standifer said...

Sometimes it's just more fun to write with a friend. I know anything to do with Desiree & Cindy involved lots of laughter and flashes of heat. I can't wait to get my hands on the newest release.

Allie Standifer/Kat Alexis

Fran Lee said...

Loads of fun writing with others! All the e-mails that shot back and forth were like a chat for awhile! LOL! You are all fantastic!

Kelley Nyrae said...

I love stories like that. It sounds like a fun read.