Bits Quote by Alison McGhee
![“We'd decided to write a book about two friends. I gave her some coffee and then we sat there not knowing what to do. How do you start writing a book together? So Kate [DiCamillo] got up after about 10 minutes into this endeavor, and said, 'Well, that was fun,' and started to head out the door. I…” quote by Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88f/alison-mcghee-15698_bits_we-d-decided-to-write-a-book-about-two-f_282606.jpg)
“We'd decided to write a book about two friends. I gave her some coffee and then we sat there not knowing what to do. How do you start writing a book together? So Kate [DiCamillo] got up after about 10 minutes into this endeavor, and said, 'Well, that was fun,' and started to head out the door. I said, 'Wait, wait, wait, no no no,' because I'm a bit more patient.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writing Process Discussion, 2020
Collaborative writing begins with shared intent, open communication, and willingness to pause and adjust expectations.
In simple terms: Start writing together by aligning goals and communicating.
Key Takeaway
Establish clear goals and stay flexible.
Themes
collaboration
creativity
communication
Mood
inspirational
practical
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- writing a book
- creative partnership
- brainstorming sessions
Key Concepts
co‑authoring
process management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle creative disagreements?
- What routines help maintain momentum?
A Different Perspective
Differing paces can cause friction without patience.
![“I don't think we [with Kate DiCamillo] intended to write a book about friendship, I think we intended to write a book about two friends.” quote by Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f3/alison-mcghee-15698_about-friendship_i-don-t-think-we-with-kate-dicamillo-int_2047261.jpg)
![“I remember wanting to write a book with someone, the someone being Kate [DiCamillo], and we decided to write about two friends. We had no idea how to begin this project - neither of us had ever collaborated with another writer - and I'm pretty sure that we began by giving our two friends a sock…” quote by Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac6/kate-dicamillo-599_book_i-remember-wanting-to-write-a-book-with_115596.jpg)
![“Kate [DiCamillo] tends to be more reluctant about change. I convinced her to give it a try and she came over.” quote by Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/118/alison-mcghee-15698_change_kate-dicamillo-tends-to-be-more-reluctan_328771.jpg)
![“So we [with Kate DiCamillo] would act them out, we would toss ideas back and forth, we would laugh, we would argue. Sometimes it went really well, sometimes it was such a pain in the ass. Our other rule was that we wouldn't work on it at all when we weren't in the other's presence. It was really…” quote by Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea6/alison-mcghee-15698_arguing_so-we-with-kate-dicamillo-would-act-them_382879.jpg)
![“We met in the summer or fall of 2001. I had never met Kate [DiCamillo], though I'd heard her name, and I think she knew of me too. We were laughing within a few minutes, I mean really, furiously, laughing. So we were off to a good start.” quote by Alison McGhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b5f/alison-mcghee-15698_fall_we-met-in-the-summer-or-fall-of-2001-i-h_517595.jpg)
![“Brad [Dourif] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him a little bit. I just think maybe they have similar voices.” quote by David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfe/david-kirschner-22403_bits_brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-w_478.jpg)
