Alexander
asked
Ais:
Hi, Ais! I am in the process of finishing ICOS. I just want to express my support and tell you to keep up the good work. I am looking forward to read more of your works. I don't really have a question, but if I was to ask you something, I'd wonder how long it took you to finish one volume of the series? What was your routine and how easily did the story come to you?
Ais
Alexander! I fricking am a moron on GR! I saw this message pop up in an email to my inbox, and then I tried navigating to this link on GR itself and somehow I'm a total moron and could never find it. And then I totally forgot I never replied to you :( :( :( I'm sorry that I'm the worst :( :( :( But thank you for your kindness! <3
As for your questions: Uhh... you know, I think at some point I knew the exact amount of time but I think it took us... maybe around a year? To finish the first book? But then we edited and rewrote it 3 times and in the last edit (DC version) even split it into two volumes. So I'm not sure the exact amount of time it took but it was a while lol The other books were probably around the same, I'm not sure. Some took longer because we didn't write it all at once.
The routine was basically that we'd set a time to both be online and theoretically we would both show up and not leave the other hanging. And then when we were both on, we usually had a google doc open which we used to both write in at the same time. I always also had a second or third document open where I often compiled my replies/parts I was writing separately because 1) I'm a packrat and like to keep all variations of everything, and 2) I'm weirdly shy about people reading what I'm writing live as I'm writing it, even if it's a co-writer. But eventually we'd end up with a document and then we'd both edit it in some form, and then eventually we'd share it online. Which meant initially putting it on AFFN, and later meant putting it on our site.
I think the story came pretty easily to us, for the most part. I think if you start with a strong feeling of the psychology of your characters, the world and story unfolds pretty naturally as long as you do your best to stay true to them, and let the plot reflect the characters instead of making the characters reflect the plot.
I'm not sure if that answers your question but hopefully it does! :) Thank you for your interest and I'm sorry, again, for being such an idiot I couldn't find your question again after I'd seen it existed, in order for me to reply.
As for your questions: Uhh... you know, I think at some point I knew the exact amount of time but I think it took us... maybe around a year? To finish the first book? But then we edited and rewrote it 3 times and in the last edit (DC version) even split it into two volumes. So I'm not sure the exact amount of time it took but it was a while lol The other books were probably around the same, I'm not sure. Some took longer because we didn't write it all at once.
The routine was basically that we'd set a time to both be online and theoretically we would both show up and not leave the other hanging. And then when we were both on, we usually had a google doc open which we used to both write in at the same time. I always also had a second or third document open where I often compiled my replies/parts I was writing separately because 1) I'm a packrat and like to keep all variations of everything, and 2) I'm weirdly shy about people reading what I'm writing live as I'm writing it, even if it's a co-writer. But eventually we'd end up with a document and then we'd both edit it in some form, and then eventually we'd share it online. Which meant initially putting it on AFFN, and later meant putting it on our site.
I think the story came pretty easily to us, for the most part. I think if you start with a strong feeling of the psychology of your characters, the world and story unfolds pretty naturally as long as you do your best to stay true to them, and let the plot reflect the characters instead of making the characters reflect the plot.
I'm not sure if that answers your question but hopefully it does! :) Thank you for your interest and I'm sorry, again, for being such an idiot I couldn't find your question again after I'd seen it existed, in order for me to reply.
More Answered Questions
Patricia Robello
asked
Ais:
Hi Ais!! Thank you for being extremely kind and letting us have a contact to you:) I was just wondering if you don't mined me asking. Is the sequal to ICOS, going to be only one book or is it going to multiple books? Also, you should sell the series because I will buy it from you guys!! and is their a CD to listen to this?
Debi
asked
Ais:
Hello Ais. I am a huge fan of all things ICoS and I wanted you to know how much respect I have for you and all you shared concerning the recent downfall of SH. I was looking for another mode to tell you this but came up short. Thank you for sharing with the fans your story. Are you on Facebook? I'd love to follow you but was unsuccessful finding you. Thanks so much!
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