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Cat's Corner

Blogging About Books, Kids, Travel, Film & More

Going Crazy but Feeling Awesome Writing 2 Books Outside My Kid Lit Genre

2/28/2019

10 Comments

 
Stretching waaaay outside of my comfort zone here. 
 
Cannot believe I'm taking on TWO books: co-authoring a middle-grade tale and going solo writing my first fiction for grown-ups.  
 
I’m up for this challenge after taking time to grieve the loss of my parents and rightsize to a new space after two decades in our cherished home.
 
It's exciting and scary just thinking about penning two different genres at the same.  But it feels right, so here I go!
​
Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone to Write 2 Books Outside My Genre – catmichaelswriter.com
Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash

WIP 1 : Fiction for Grown Ups 

Fifteen years ago:
my writing workshop classmates told me
I had to develop the short story I submitted for our class project
into a full novel.
 
My first reaction? 
Oh nooooooo!!!!!!
 
Without expanding my draft,
I submitted it to a writing contest.
It scored an honorable mention.  
Encouraged!
Still not ready to take on a novel.

The content, disguised as fiction, was too tender and personal to write more then.  
But times change.
I've grown.
What once felt too raw is now okay to explore.
 
Fast forward to 2019: 
I submitted the old draft from workshop days
​to my critique group.

And they liked it!


Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone to Write 2 Books Outside My Genre – catmichaelswriter.com
Cat's critique group comments on first draft
The novel takes place in a southern town (no surprise as penned by this North Carolina gal). It explores challenges between newcomers and the old South as characters come together (or not!) to save the town’s annual community choir presentation of Handel’s Messiah.  (We write what we know: Guess whose 100-person member community choir has performed an annual "Messiah" concert every December for more than 40 years -:D.)

My book is more than a Christmas-time tale.  There's love and hope, but it's not a true romance.  Kind of like a cozy without a murder mystery. N
o violence or dysfunction. For now, I’m tagging it as general adult fiction with a touch of women's and southern fiction.

Honestly, my story might be the type the Hallmark Channel might select for a TV movie .....and I'd be over the moon if they did!....but I haven’t decided yet if every character will get a happily ever after.  Stay tuned!

​WIP 2 : Co-Writing a Middle-Grade Tale 
 
Meanwhile, back in children’s book land……
 
Rosie Russell, 
friend and awesome picture book author/illustrator, 
and I are co-writing a middle-grade adventure
for kids ages 8-12 featuring an 11-year-old girl who loves horses.

We didn’t set out to co-author a book,
but our ideas for this story
have been percolating for both of us since 2015.
Four years ago almost to this day!


We started when I uploaded a writing prompt to my author Facebook page and invited people to post a brief back story.  Rosie jumped on it!  
Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone to Write 2 Books Outside My Genre – catmichaelswriter.com
2015 writing prompt that led to Cat and Rosie co-authoring
​​Months later, Rosie developed the prompt into a story and shared her draft with me.  I loved it! However, the tale waited until my life settled after rightsizing and becoming an adult orphan. 
​
​
Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone to Write 2 Books Outside My Genre – catmichaelswriter.com2017: Rosie (L) & Cat (R) meet in person
Co-authoring a book is a huge learning challenge, but I'm lucky.  Rosie Russell is the perfect co-write partner: enthusiastic, imaginative, hard-working and talented.   

We connected through social media in 2014 and have been supporting each other’s writing journey ever since.  

Even met in person once in 2017 … a marjorly rare treat for cyberpals! … when her family vacationed nearby my North Carolina home (in the US south).


Since Rosie lives more than 1,000 m/1.6 km away from me in Missouri (midwest US), we’re swapping ideas like mad via i-messages, emails and phone.  ​

catmichaelswriter.com'old-timey' phone convos
We started by organizing and agreeing on story development.  We explore characters and plot by uploading inspiration photos and concepts to a shared drive.  

There’s technical, headachy-to-me stuff to determine, too, like who/how to formate and distribute our book. 

And we're figuring out how to pay Uncle Sam his taxes for book sales earned by two authors in two different states.  No accountants here -:D.

Once we pull these pieces together, we’ll flesh out chapters and decide who’s authoring and editing what.  Most important, we want to make sure our writing styles synch up to give young readers an exciting, flowing narrative. ​Plus, both my books will retain the same family-friendly vibes and focus on Small Town USA life that are found in my Sweet T Tales.

I'll be looking for ideas about titles, book covers, character struggles and more, and I'd be over the moon to have your company and feedback on this next stretch of my writing journey.  

You'll find updates on my writing here on Cat's Corner (sign up below to send this blog to your email or newsfeed).  You can also be first to know the latest by joining my tribe of readers and receiving occasional newsflashes in What’s Up (Join HERE or in the link below).  

​Thanks a ton!


​Your Turn
What have you tackled that felt beyond your comfort zone?  What helped you succeed?  And if you successfully co-authored a book, let us know what you learned from the experience in the comment section.  

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10 Comments
Carmela Dutra
3/1/2019 10:03:39 am

Oh my, exciting doesn’t begin to describe this new chapter (no pun intended) of your writing road. Hats off to the both of you! I’m very excited to see what the two of you weave together through imaginations.

Reply
Cat Michaels link
3/4/2019 10:46:08 am

Many thanks! Two imaginations are definitely better than one, Carmela -:D Looking forward to your company and advice for this chapter

Reply
Julie Gorges link
3/1/2019 11:42:05 am

Cat, I'm tickled pink for all your exciting news! Can't wait to read your adult fiction book - sounds right up my alley. And you and Rosie teaming up to write a middle grade adventure - beyond happy to see my talented cyber writing pals put their heads together. The results will be simply amazing! I've changed directions many times during my career and find it exhilarating to learn and try different types of writing. Started off with young adult fiction, co-wrote a technical book (not fun writing, gave me a headache, and never attempted again), wrote articles for children's magazines, tried out writing humor about menopause for a client, and now just finished a book on caregiving. So glad you are going out of your comfort zone and trying out new paths. You won't regret it. Enjoy the thrill of the journey, Cat!

Reply
Cat Michaels link
3/4/2019 10:53:40 am

Wow, Julie, I'm feeling more comfortable hearing of the successful writing genre shifts you accomplished. (I'm with you about technical writing....hats off to tech writers who manage all that detail!) Thanks for the vote of confidence -:D. I'm looking forward to creating a middle grade story with Rosie Russell. Our writing styles and work approach complement each other each. Plus it lightens my ambivert heart to bounce ideas around with a talented writer like Rosie.

Reply
Rosie Russell link
3/2/2019 12:01:40 pm

Hi Cat, I'm looking forward to your new story. I subscribed to the Hallmark Books website and I think you should as well. I'll send the link if you need it. Best wishes on your new tale!

Thank you for your post in 2015 about writing a story about the little girl in the photo. I clearly remember thinking how excited I was to tell her story. It was one of those things that kept nagging at me so this feels so right. What an honor it will be to write this book with YOU! Excited!

I'm looking forward to hearing what other co-writers have to say and the experiences they have had.

Happy writing!
Enjoy your weekend,
Rosie

Reply
Cat Michaels link
3/4/2019 11:00:31 am

Rosie, you zero'd in on that story from the start! Can't believe it took us five years to get to this point, but sometimes an idea needs to percolate until the perfect moment. imho....we make a great team, and I am beyond grateful for your time and talents -:D!

Reply
James Milson link
3/4/2019 03:14:51 pm

How wonderful and exciting! Could not imagine two more perfectly-suited writers to colaborate on a book project. This is going to be awesome and looking very forward to the finished books! 🤠🐻

Reply
Cat Michaels link
3/6/2019 10:52:32 am

Your kind words of support mean more than you know, Jim. Pumped and a bit nervous about all this but in excellent company to make it happen alongside Rosie Russell and readers like you -:D

Reply
Carol Baldwin
3/6/2019 06:41:11 pm

Good luck with the co-writing venture. If you know Rebecca Petruck, drop her a line. She's in the middle of doing the same. Yes wishes on both projects! They'll keep you out of trouble--you're going to be a busy lady!

Reply
Cat Michaels link
3/8/2019 09:58:32 am

Appreciate your good wishes, Carol. I'm an enthusiastic beginner with co-writing....don't now exactly what I'm getting into but excited to work with Rosie Russell and go for it!

Thanks for the introduction Rebecca. Always good to learn from those with experience.

Reply

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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Author 101: Tips & Tricks for a Writer's Journey
  • Meet Cat
  • Author Visits
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Book Review Guidelines
  • KidLit Book Reviews
  • Contact Cat