Why Join?

  • Add New Books

  • Write a Review

  • Backpack Reading Lists

  • Newsletter Updates

Join Now

Are Two Heads Better Than One?

22nd July 2019

From the authors of Meet Me in Monaco – Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor talk to us about the challenges and rewards of co-writing a novel. Are two heads better than one?

Are Two Heads Better Than OneWe were first introduced through our mutual agent, Michelle Brower, in 2013, and went on to collaborate on WWI anthology, Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War. In writing that book, we realised we not only shared a love of history, but also shared a sense of humour, and a love of good food and wine. We felt there was so much more to write about WWI and a brainstorming session quickly led to the idea of writing a book together. That book became LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS, which was published in 2017. We had such fun, we just had to do it all again! MEET ME IN MONACO began to take shape.

Having a writing partner requires a lot of trust and commitment, navigating the pressures of individual writing projects, and juggling demands of kids and family. But it is also a hugely rewarding experience.  We learn so much from each other, enhancing each other’s strengths as well as providing motivation and inspiration. When the book is complete, what could be better than having someone to celebrate that achievement with?

We do all our initial drafting via Google docs, assigning ourselves a character or characters, and take turns to add to the work in progress. In later drafts, we both touch every single page to ensure the voices and storylines are consistent. While our weekly chat via Google Hangouts is a great way to flesh out plot snags and character arcs and stay connected, you can’t beat spending time together and for MEET ME IN MONACO we met during an incredible trip to the Cote d’Azur and Monaco to follow in Grace’s footsteps. We also spent time in Grasse, France – the perfume capital of the world – where our character, Sophie, has her fictional perfumery. To make our own perfume and step inside the famous perfume houses of Molinard and Fragonard brought plenty of inspiration. Our time together in Monaco, was essential, inspiring, and lots of fun!  To visit the Cathedral where Grace was married, and which is also her final resting place, was incredibly emotional, and a fitting conclusion to the writing process. We can’t wait to do it all again with our third co-written novel, ADVICE FOR LADY ADVENTURERS, coming 2021!

Hazel Gaynor is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of six historical novels including The Girl Who Came Home, The Cottingley Secret and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. She was therecipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Hazel lives in Ireland with her husband and children. Catch her on Twitter

Heather Webb is the internationally bestselling author of historical novels Becoming Josephine, Rodin’s Lover (selected by Goodreads as a Top Pick in 2015)and The Phantom’s Apprentice. She lives in New England with her children and husband. Catch Heather on Twitter

LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS was an international bestseller, and won the 2018 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award. MEET ME IN MONACO, inspired by Grace Kelly’s royal wedding, releases on July 23, 2019. In 2021, Hazel & Heather will publish ADVICE FOR LADY ADVENTURERS, a coming-of-age historical novel in the vein of Thelma & Louise, inspired by Nellie Bly’s famous 1889 race around the world.

YOU CAN BUY MEET ME IN MONACO HERE! And read our review here!

Please do come and join team TripFiction on Social Media:

Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction)

Subscribe to future blog posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *