Word Cloud Collaboration Blog (Part I)

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Published by: Steve on 13th Mar 2010 | View all blogs by Steve

Information from various sources suggests that out of about 2,000 manuscript submissions the average Publisher or Agent receive each year, only one or two make it to publication. There are just over 2,000 members on Word Cloud: the number above this figure possibly represents about the amount who are published and/or pros. Assuming that each of the unpublished members submits an average of one book each in the next twelve months, you don’t have to be a mathemagician to realise that only one or two of us will become published in the next year.

That’s a disheartening number.

Of course, I hope that the standard and quality I see about this Cloud means that there is a higher success rate from amongst us, but realistically it’s not going to be much higher regardless of this.

For many months I’ve been thinking about how these pitiful odds could be improved in our favour. The simple answer I’ve had from the beginning is obvious: Word Cloud member collaboration. All of the talent, experience, skills, contacts and characteristics required to see a book through to successful publication exists right here amongst the members of this Cloud. The difficult part is how to harness these things in a collective effort that works. The writer is most often a solitary creature, or if not, most likely a creature who plies their craft in a solitary way.

However, to our advantage the Cloud exists, and it has united us, for the most part. Every day I see strangers and friends help and advise each other, and this enthuses me. But are we not presented with the best of opportunities to go a step further? Is it not worth a shot for several Cloud members to pool their collective abilities and work on one piece together?

Of course, I accept there are many reasons why it wouldn’t work, but I am of the ilk that would rather try and fail, than not try at all. I suspect that I am not alone in this.

Comments

15 Comments

by Bren 2 years ago

It is sad but true that hardly any books make it to the book stores. I too have wondered about the genius that I see on cloud. It is hardly worth sending a book off to agents etc really so is it worth writing? I have often wondered. Your idea is a good one but you still have to find a topic that sets the blood tingling of an agent/author.
by Steve 2 years ago

Thanks for commenting, Bren. And so quick.

I believe that it is absolutely worth writing, regardless of whether one ever becomes published. Some just can't help writing anyway.

Also, there is so much rubbish out there in print that I think almost any writer on The Cloud can take heart that what they are capable of producing would be better. There is always hope, even if the odds seem very poor. The reasoning behind this blog comes from an attempt to find a way of improving those odds for writers on here.

Part I is an indication of more to come about this. I already have a concept that could be offered up for collective assault. Whether or not it sets the blood of anyone tingling is another matter.
by Wrathnar the Unreasonable 2 years ago

There seem to be two major parts to the challenge of getting your book on the shelves:

1) Writing a bloody good novel.

2) Getting it published.

I realise I'm stating the bleedin obvious, but my point is this: Number 1 is, for most of us, a solitary occupation, and most collaborations I've read don't work particularly well (at least, no better than the writers' solitary efforts). Number 2 is one Hell of a big mountain to climb, and the publishing world is big, complex and largely a mystery to first-time novelists; so, is there a way we could help each other with this part of the challenge?
by Steve 2 years ago

I think I'd have to agree that collaberation in terms of two people or more writing one book from scratch together would most likely not work. But what I have recognised is that some writers on the Cloud have excellent ideas and concepts, some have strengths in writing good text with style, some have perfect technical writing ability, some make superb editors, and others have contacts in the industry. Of course, some members have pretty much all the requirements to a high degree, but many would accept that they don't. For those lacking in an area or two, it seems to make logical sense that they team up with other writers who can fill in those gaps. This is, of course, looking at the problem purely from an exercise in maximising publication chances, and not taking into account how protective we sometimes feel about our work.

Nonetheless, for some, shared authorship on a published book would be a better situation than no publication at all.

Wrathnar, wouldn't it be grand if an Agent agreed to take on several strong Cloud members, and push their separate works as a group...
by Wrathnar the Unreasonable 2 years ago

Also, if pizza wasn't fattening, dried banana skins could get you high, and every day was Saturday . . .
by Bren 2 years ago

ha ha ....still laughing.....you pessimist wrath......
by Jak 2 years ago

I think in terms of skill mix then you could easily find the things needed. But what about the others things that make a book? like voice? A Voice is something that in my experience isn't taught or shared, for a few authors to get together and write a shared book, then the book would also share those few voices. unless they wrote different parts, or parts from different POV wouldn't it get confusing and weird for the reader?

Certainly we have all had other peoples opinions on our work, just from posting parts. I can also say a few friends from the site have taken away larger chunks of my MS and given their views on. All advice I take in and mull over but I couldn't imagine handing it over and saying 'thats my section do what you want with it'. Maybe I'm getting the wrong end of the post but...

I think if you could find a few people - the fewer the better - it could work. In the sense that each took their role and worked together.
by Steph 2 years ago

I'm drawn to the idea of different Voices in a collaborative book. I like the idea of making things a little weird for the reader.. working at understanding meaning.

Steve - I agree that 'its absolutely worth writing, regardless of whether one becomes published or not'. The challenge of creating something new and vibrant is reward in itself - of course if others like it then that's fantastic too!
by Weens 2 years ago

Call me cynical, but if a writer has a really great and different idea for a book, how likely is he/she going to share it?
by ! A r r i a n n e; 2 years ago

I agree with Steph.
If so much talent, coming from so many different people, is to be put in a book it'd make it so much more appealing. And more of a challenge to write.
But then, too many cooks spoil the broth, right?
by Steve 2 years ago

Cheers for the comments, everyone. Part II (which I haven't posted yet) is an idea for an article. Before even attempting to write a novel or a complete book collectively, it seemed wiser to try walking before running. However, just the word 'article' turns off some writers. It also seems that, on the whole, we'd rather continue as we are. I certainly wouldn't enter into a collaborative project of any kind without genuine enthusiasm from all collaborators.
by maryluv 2 years ago

Steve - I think it depends on the writers involved, and I suspect that personality type will have a great deal to do with it. I'm interested in the concept as I'm a social writer. I get a great deal of inspiration from workshopping my material and get 'fired up' by other writer's ideas and suggestions. I reckon if you didn't have anyone too dominant it could work. By the same token, though, it couldn't be a 'love-in' where everyone just strokes each other's egos. What a pile of c**p that would produce. And therein lies the problem - tough love being the solution perhaps?

Anyhow, count me in!
by Steph 2 years ago

Me too! I think you'd need someone who was happy to pull everything together and make sure no-one went off topic. I'm reminded of a colleague who had the unenviable job of getting OU lecturers and others to contribute to OU literature text books. One of his more difficult tasks was making sure so many different voices (and egos) had a similar feel while still being individual.
by Steph 2 years ago

this looks relevant to our discussion....

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/books/21mash.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

half-way through but will read properly tonight!
by Weens 2 years ago

I'd be willing to have a go, although everyone must be aware of my health issues, and the limitations therein.