Writing a Group Novella – the Fun
Writing a group novella? This was my first time, and I enjoyed it so much–hope to do it again!
My new release this month is Legacy Letters. It’s special to me in several ways. To start with, it’s women’s fiction, which is an entirely new genre to me. But let’s go back to the beginning.
Early this year my local writers group, OKC Christian Fiction Writers (OCFW), approached me with a proposition. They wanted me to involve me in a greater way with the group, and their first idea was for me to lead this collaborative novella.
It sounded like fun—I had no idea how much work would be involved!
With this kind of novella, often one person writes the first chapter, another takes up where the first ends, and they continue until the end of the story. The one time I tried it, I found it difficult to keep all the story strands straight. I suggested a slightly more structured approach.
We all started with the same basic premise: elderly Christian Wanda Taylor writes letters to people close to her, giving them each a month-long challenge (which she paid for) upon her death. Each author could choose their character’s problem and relationship to Wanda. The plan allowed the chapters to be loosely connected, while allowing the authors to showcase their individual voices and preferred genre. Easy peasy, or so I thought.
I was right about the stories. From addiction to bullying to romance and following your dreams, each one is unique and has a special message for all of us.
Of course we had our share of problems, but in the end, we have a good novella that will earn money for OCFW.
I couldn’t have down it without my helpers from OCFW’s leadership, Jeremy Johnson and Sharon Srock. And Lacy Williams took time off from maternity leave to design out cover.
So with a big thanks and hurrah to my fellow authors – Jessica Ferguson, Ruth Collins, Martha Fouts, J.J. Johnson, Alanna Radle Rodriguez and Chris Tarpley—we present Legacy Letters.
Here is the back cover blurb, adapted from the Prologue:
Seven pink envelopes, addressed in Wanda Taylor’s spiky handwriting, represented her legacy to seven people she held dear. Legacy letters—that’s what they were. A last gift, though some might call it interference. People often sought her advice and her God-given gift of discernment. But not these seven, and her heart ached for them. They were good people who loved God and their families, but she saw patterns in their lives that could harm them in the future if left unchecked. Monica was the lynch pin to the entire project. The mantle of the matriarch fit her, and everyone in the family recognized it. But she needed to learn how to let go before she could take charge.
Monica would receive the first letter, one month after Wanda’s death. The others—to friends, siblings, children and grandchildren—would receive their letters in the six months following.
Wanda sealed the last letter and whispered a prayer. “Lord, use my words a final time to do Your work in the lives of those I leave behind.”
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