We are getting ready to write the sequel and soon will be going into creative hyperdrive. I intend to chronicle the entire process of how we write together… how do we actually get to a finished book and what’s the effect on our relationship? I will also reflect on how writing this new book differs from the last one: we wrote that 11 years ago and just after we first fell in love. We are not that anymore. Well, we are still in love but old love and new love are different. Will this change the way we work together?

Starting this writing partnership up again is not going to be easy. We have not written together in many years, although all the marketing for the new release of “The Cowboy and the Vampire” has mixed up our creative juices again. And that’s been, in all honesty, a bit of a bumpy ride. Some of the worst arguments we have ever had in the history of our marriage, and I mean ever, were over this website. Somehow, it came to be emblematic of other subtle and previously unspoken problems in our relationship. They are not unspoken anymore, and we are probably stronger because of the fights. I think.

So far, we  have a title for the sequel: “Blood and Whiskey.” That’s progress. A title can be inspirational and set a tone for the book. It may still change but I like it. We didn’t have a title for the first one until we were midway through it. Fair to say, thus, that having a title doesn’t make much difference in the process of getting to the finish line. And that’s all that matters. The difference between being a writer and wanting to be a writer is tenacity and discipline — and getting to the finish line. There are a ton of great ideas out there for books, but not that many move from tipsy cocktail chatter to become real books.

We’ve also had some good conversations over meals and during walks about the plot with tentative agreement on a broad narrative, but none of the details, it’s still very big picture stuff. Now, we need to get an outline on paper as a guide so we can start writing. More on that soon!

In the meantime, here are two recent articles that cover some of this territory – how and why we write together, along with information about our background.

• A Q&A with both of us with questions like: What inspired you to write this book?  on sellingbooks.com
• An article by Jeff Baker, book reviewer for The Oregonian newspaper about how we lost (and now have regained, hopefully) our mojo. The article is titled: The Cowboy and Vampire get new blood.
• And don’t miss the authors page that has some information about how we wrote the first few chapters.

Happy writing!aracer.mobi