Medical student with extensive education looking for co-author

[sozme]

I'm looking to write a series of novels in the spirit of BV Larson and other new authors in the sci-fi/space opera genre. I have a few problems developing and writing a story solo, however. For one, I am clinically obsessive-compulsive and way too overly focused on the details that I would work at a snails pace to the point where I'd probably frustrate myself too much to get anything done. The other problem I have is that my background in astronomy, engineering, and (to a lesser extent) physics is not at a level I feel is requisite for someone writing a space opera.

On the other hand, I am an American M.D. student and I have a master's degree in human physiology. Depending on our character and plot development, I believe this would be a great asset - especially since I don't think there has been anyone develop the space medic as a main protagonist.

Anyway, I am just putting feelers out. I would provide samples of my own creative writing work to anyone with the right credentials who might be seriously interested.

 

[chrispenycate]

James White 'Sector General'? Jack C. Haldeman II 'Vector Analysis'? Jody Lynne Nye 'Taylor's ark'? Actually there are quite a lot of SF books with a medic as main character, frequently in the 'whodunnit' vein, discovering and defusing catastrophes willed onto them by selfish management/financial types only interested in profit/status.

Oh, welcome in, by the way. I'm not actually volunteering to coauthor, by the way; both my plotting and writing style are idiosyncratic to the point that if it weren't for the fact you'd have to be crazy to team up with me, it'd drive you there within a few exchanges of correspondence. Which is no limitation here, but could prove inconvenient for selling the book later. Besides, I'm somewhat obsessive (snail's pace needs a possessive apostrophe), However, I'll be happy to help with technical details, and grammar when needed.

 

[Kissmequick]

Perhaps it would be helpful to state what you are willing to put into the project (Knowledge of XYZ is nice, but actual "what I am prepared to do/am good with in the writing" wise") Physiology is an asset in some stories for example, but not exactly a must have for an author in general (as long as our humans have the right amount of legs *). Are you good at setting? Character? Plot? What is your writing strength. What, apart from perfection, are your writing weaknesses?

This might help you match up with the right person who can compliment you.


* You'd be a positive boon to someone writing a medical thriller.

 

[Montero]

James White Sector General series - he had a biologist as a consultant designing the six legged Tralthans for example - making sure that they could actually walk if they really existed. (Anyone remember his name? - the consultant I mean.)

Anyway CBrons - hello and welcome. This is a nice, friendly, knowledgeable place to ask questions - and provide answers. I see medical questions going past from time to time - wound sepsis, what would happen if an arrow hit xxx and so on.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Medical student with extensive education looking for co-author

If you're worried about not writing to a great standard, then seek feedback on a sample - you can do that after 30 posts.

However, it would be completely unacceptable for you to solicit here for someone to write your books for, because you find writing too hard.

Writing isn't easy so it's good that you recognise that it would be a hard journey. But that's a journey you need to take yourself if you're serious.

 

[The Judge]

I think in order to write a joint project either there would have to be some kind of relationship between the parties first, or, if it's an arm's-length transaction like a celebrity "writer" and his ghost, there would have to be a very clear defined agreement as to who did what. Certainly in any case there would have to be a legal contract as to who owned what rights to the characters etc.

If you're going for an arm's length relationship, where you supply the plot and someone else actually does the mechanics of writing, then you'd probably need to pay for that. I'm guessing, though, that isn't what you want/can afford.

Otherwise, your best chance is to establish friendships with other writers here, which will only happen if you join in a lot, and especially in any writing threads such as in Workshop or in the Challenges -- you need to show people how well you write, what ideas you have, how you approach writing, what your aims are, etc. No one is likely to volunteer to team up with you unless we know something more about you other than that you can cut up dead (or live!) bodies -- though that is a very useful skill to have hereabouts! You in your turn ought to check on other writers here, to see whose work you admire and whose writing style would fit best with your own. Once you've established friendships, take it from there.

Good luck with your stories, anyway.

 

[chrispenycate]

James White Sector General series - he had a biologist as a consultant designing the six legged Tralthans for example - making sure that they could actually walk if they really existed. (Anyone remember his name? - the consultant I mean.)

I remember Conway before he was even a doctor, let alone a consultant (construction worker, 'suitable for sustained heavy labour' is what comes to mind) spraying nutrient porridge on a high gravity being who absorbed nutition through the skin, with O'Mara saying something like 'This is a hospital and you've cured your first patient'. That must be more than fifty years ago, probably in an analog or MoF&SF, so the stories stuck.

 

[Abernovo]

The other problem I have is that my background in astronomy, engineering, and (to a lesser extent) physics is not at a level I feel is requisite for someone writing a space opera.

You can write space opera without a PhD in astrophysics. You could have no more than secondary school education, or a degree in fine arts. You can have a higher degree in astrophysics if you want, but the science in space opera doesn't have to be spectacular. The story comes first, and it has to be entertaining.

For hard sf, you might have to do a bit more research, but still don't have to be Carl Sagan's heir. Here too, the story should come first.

As The Judge says, join in, get chatting. You'll soon find people you can work with, or bounce ideas around with. Best of luck.

 

[ralphkern]

As someone with more than a few OCD tendancies myself i can sympathise. You do need to be self dicsiplined. For example I went through my work more times than I can count ensuring i was happy with it, and would still be doing that in 10 years time if i hadnt made the executive decsion to just press the button once it had been beta'd. You will have to be the same or find a ghost witer.

 

[Montero]

I remember Conway before he was even a doctor, let alone a consultant (construction worker, 'suitable for sustained heavy labour' is what comes to mind) spraying nutrient porridge on a high gravity being who absorbed nutition through the skin, with O'Mara saying something like 'This is a hospital and you've cured your first patient'. That must be more than fifty years ago, probably in an analog or MoF&SF, so the stories stuck.

I meant a real, live biologist that James White consulted, not a book character.

Other than that, interesting it has all been around that long. Great series.

 

[sozme]

Thank you for the replies. I wanted to have this here as a "main base" thread to let people know I would be interested in a partnership at sometime down the road if the situation presents itself. These days there is an explosion in self-publishing, and I believe it is more than possible to produce something enjoyable that people would be willing to read even without a publishing house behind you.

My medical training takes up a good amount of my time these days, but I've committed myself over the past few years to begin to amass resources that would help me begin developing and crafting a serial space opera at some point in the near future. 'm patient, though, so I expect I will be participating in the discussion here for sometime and perhaps submit some of my own casual writings to future contests. I also am actively reviewing some of the self-published science fiction online from time to time, and I would like to critique the work of aspiring authors on these boards in the near future.

Anyway, thank you for the replies and suggestions.

 

[Aleph]

Please don't rush, take the time to plot and worldbuild, then do the writing in a couple of years when you get the time. I found that co-written works actually take MORE time to do than something you've done yourself, as you still have to read/edit/query what the other writer has done.

Unfortunately there are no shortcuts. It's like a marathon, you cannot get anyone to run it for you, and even if you can get someone to "carry" you, you will still have to be present for all the races, all the training. You might as well do it yourself.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I write space opera and I last studied physics when I was thirteen. For space opera most of what you need can be researched. Not made up, of course... Naturally.

I would find it hard to write in a partnership as I'd want to develop my ideas, but Mouse and All my Wires tried it for a while, and I think it was good fun.