J.R. Olson's guest appearances

J.R. Olson

Bleeding Ink

Ricardo Fayet

Donald Trump

Jeff Goins

Nick Stephenson

Tim Grahl

Nick Disabato

Paul Jarvis

Aaron Mahnke

Joe Bunting

Scott James

David Moldawer

Josh Bernoff

Sean Stewart

Max Gladstone

Harry Dewulf

OwlTail

David Bruns

Unfurling an idea among some fertile mental soil and tending to its incessant and desperate demands until it takes its natural shape, ready for harvest, has killed many a good writer. These ideas recruit the unwavering if they wish to see themselves realized. And though we may falter, it is through brash perseverance that we sow words into novels. To put it plainly: this shit is hard. But does it need be as hard? Is there some means of reducing these sky-scraping hurdles and lend a plow to our weathered hands? I think David Bruns and J.R. Olson have discovered how.  In this episode of Bleeding Ink, we learn of their co-writing process, of taking complementary skill-sets and mashing them into a solid whole, into a sane reaper of words. Yeoman metaphors aside, David and J.R. impressed me with a cleverness few writers seem to throw at the writing process. Kickstarter deflected budget issues. Questionnaires enhanced beta-reader data. While David wrote, J.R. researched. Their efforts rewarded one another’s weaknesses. And at the end of it all, these two men are now rocketing toward a second novel with smiles on their faces.  I envy them. SNIPPETS  Discover the benefits of co-authoring a book See inside Bruns’ and Olson’s working relationship and writing process  Use Kickstarter to offset printing costs How to devise a clever and efficient beta reader test Where to find potential writing partners Why research is important for historical fiction How to select beta readers How spreading responsibility between co-authors can lead to a much happier writing experience Why posing periodic questions to your beta-readers during their read can change everything How to select a copy editor How to prep your draft to save you money during copy editing How the Hunt for Red October was rejected by all major publishers When you should choose an agent What it takes to launch a book How to price your book]]&gt;

Unfurling an idea among some fertile mental soil and tending to its incessant and desperate demands until it takes its natural shape, ready for harvest, has killed many a good writer. These ideas recruit the unwavering if they wish to see themselves realized. And though we may falter, it is through brash perseverance that we sow words into novels. To put it plainly: this shit is hard. But does it need be as hard? Is there some means of reducing these sky-scraping hurdles and lend a plow to our weathered hands?<p></p> <p>I think David Bruns and J.R. Olson have discovered how. </p> <p>In this episode of Bleeding Ink, we learn of their co-writing process, of taking complementary skill-sets and mashing them into a solid whole, into a sane reaper of words. Yeoman metaphors aside, David and J.R. impressed me with a cleverness few writers seem to throw at the writing process. Kickstarter deflected budget issues. Questionnaires enhanced beta-reader data. While David wrote, J.R. researched. Their efforts rewarded one another’s weaknesses. And at the end of it all, these two men are now rocketing toward a second novel with smiles on their faces. </p> <p>I envy them.</p> <h3>SNIPPETS</h3> <ul> <li>Discover the benefits of co-authoring a book</li> <li>See inside Bruns’ and Olson’s working relationship and writing process </li> <li>Use Kickstarter to offset printing costs</li> <li>How to devise a clever and efficient beta reader test</li> <li>Where to find potential writing partners</li> <li>Why research is important for historical fiction</li> <li>How to select beta readers</li> <li>How spreading responsibility between co-authors can lead to a much happier writing experience</li> <li>Why posing periodic questions to your beta-readers during their read can change everything</li> <li>How to select a copy editor</li> <li>How to prep your draft to save you money during copy editing</li> <li>How the Hunt for Red October was rejected by all major publishers</li> <li>When you should choose an agent</li> <li>What it takes to launch a book</li> <li>How to price your book</li></ul>]]&gt;

[J.R. Olson and David Bruns] In which we deconstruct co-authoring