Over four years ago, while looking over what Erin’s Big Closet had to offer I came upon a story that intrigued me. It wasn’t the categories the author used to define her story. If anything they were a turn off, for I don’t bother with stories tagged as having magic or science fiction elements. While I expect there are many great stories that do, they are not my cup of tea.

What drew me to this particular story was the cover art in the title box. The china blue eyes of the protagonist, the fluttering ponytail and the charming wisp of a smile on her lips as she gazed into the eyes of the reader past her sword captured my imagination. I figured if the writer took this much effort to visually define her character, her story was probably worth looking into.

Well I did. Fact is, I did more than read her story. I commented, then PMed the author. Soon we had something of a dialogue going back and forth across the Pond. In the course of this I became comfortable enough with our budding friendship to begin making little suggestions as to how she might improve her writing. To my surprise she actually listened to me, sometimes, (the foolish girl).

Little by little I became bolder, more aggressive with my suggestions. (Hey, what do you expect from a former armor officer when dealing with a former infantry officer).

Any who, after said author finished her first full length novel I suggested we co-author a novel. Once more the dear girl was naíve enough to agree. And that, dear friends, is how ‘The Legend of Alfhildr’ came to be beginning in November 2009.

Since then we have co-authored two more books, both very different than each other and our initial collaboration. We have also served as first reader on our own projects, given a class on writing at Southern Comfort in 2011 and, oh by the way, became friends, the sort that would willingly do anything for the other, which when you are talking about two combat veterans has ramifications most people would never consider in the wildest dreams or worse nightmares.

I am happy to say now that the ‘Legend of Alfhildr’ has been gone over again and made available as a Kindle ebook, Persephone is going over ‘The Frozen Balance’ in preparation of making it available on Kindle. This will be followed in time by our other works, 'God Save the Queen,’ which was posted here and a new story never posted anywhere entitled ‘By Any Other Name.’

Co-writing a book is more than fun. It is a learning experience, one shared by both, provided the two writers have an affinity for each other, respect the abilities of their collaborator and have a hide a tad thicker than the frontal armour plate of a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle.

Any who, that’s me story and I’m stickin’ to it.

Nancy Cole
a.k.a. HW Coyle