by Daniel and I started developing picture books as a team back in 2004. Our earliest picture books were practice vehicles, helping us learn how to create a picture book as well as how best to work together. Our third collaboration landed us an agent and our fourth got us a book deal. Along the way, Daniel and I have discovered a few best practices for successful creative partnerships.
1. Give each other space.
When we started out, we thought we had to muddle through every detail of the development process together—from idea to execution. Soon enough, we felt suffocated by the project, and frustrated with each other. So we changed it up. We’d ruminate on our current task independently and then come to each discussion meeting with solid recommendations on hand.
2. Check your ego at the door.
Even giving each other ample space, our discussions can become quite heated. Naturally, each of us is convinced our approach is the right one. We’ve learned that we can’t hash things out immediately. It’s most harmonious if we present our recommendations with minimal commentary, and then each go back in our respective caves to consider all angles. After some reflection, I often realize that Daniel’s proposed solutions for the story are better than mine, or something he brought up leads me to rethink and rewrite for the better.
3. Try to have fun!
Sometimes we make the mistake of approaching our sessions with too much seriousness. Yes, publishing is a business, but the ideas flow best when we relax and let our creative sides go off on tangents. One of those tangents could be exactly what we need.
Lenore and Daniel Jennewein live and work together in Frankfurt, Germany. CHICK-O-SAURUS REX is their debut picture book as a team. Daniel is also the illustrator of IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? and TEACH YOUR BUFFALO TO PLAY TO DRUMS, both by Audrey Vernick. Lenore also writes novels for teens under the name Lenore Appelhans, including THE MEMORY OF AFTER and CHASING BEFORE.
Visit them at LenoreAppelhans.com and DanielJennewein.com.
The Jenneweins are giving away a signed copy of CHICK-O-SAURUS REX plus a personalized illustration by Daniel.
This prize bundle will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for this prize if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on today’s post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)
Good luck, everyone!
That is inspiring. I love that you 2 work together. Awesome!
Love “check your ego at the door.” Thanks for the suggestions.
Thank you for this helpful advice. I will work on checking my ego at the door even when I write alone.
How great that you two work together as a team. I Love “check your ego at the door” as well, it’s great advice. Love your “Little” character great collaboration between text and illustrations. Thank you for your suggestions and best of luck to you!
We do still drive each other crazy, but we try to keep it to a minimum!
Great advice!
Check your ego at the door is good advice for any writer. Also, I think the more you get to know your partner and his methods, how he thinks, etc. you get more comfortable and can trust their advice more readily.
This is a great post. The creativity is there. Having been stationed in Frankfurt for three years, just the architecture is enough to spark creativity. And listening to German stories are always picture book idea generator. I love how they work together by checking their egos at the door. Great post!
Great advice!
Thanks for the reminder to not be too serious and “try to have fun.”