Jamie Craig | Beyond the Comfort Zone

OUTCAST MINE is a departure for Jaime Craig in more ways than one. As you may or may not know, Jamie Craig is actually a pseudonym for the collaborative works between myself and Vivien Dean. Usually we write books a paragraph at a time. And by “usually” I mean “we always do that.” But when we started OUTCAST MINE, we wanted to try something new and challenge ourselves.

We began by discussing the sort of book we wanted to write. I had just seen a
movie Leonard Nimoy made in 1966 called “Deathwatch.” It’s based on a play and
it’s very much an existentialistic nightmare. Nimoy’s character is a thief, and
he’s in a cell with two other men. The other two men do have sex, and there’s a
great deal of sexual tension between all three of them, as well as an impending
sense of doom, and an ever-present claustrophobia.

Leonard Nimoy is amazing and beautiful, and I was so inspired by this movie that
I told Vivien we MUST write a prison story full of sexual tension, violence, and
claustrophobia.

Once that was decided, we gave each other a list of short prompts. Lines we
liked from songs and poems that could work as chapter titles. She wrote the
first chapter without any input from me, and then my job was to write the second
chapter without any input from her, just building on the foundation she gave me.
Then she wrote chapter three and we alternated in this way until we had a whole
book. Discussion was limited, unless we needed clarification on a point, but we
did edit and tweak each other’s chapters here and there as we read. We wrote the
final chapters together, since obviously that’s where all the threads needed to
be woven together. We also collaborated on the subsequent editing, which is
another reversal of our regular process. We usually write together and edit
separately.

Now that we have the final result, I have to say, I’ve never been more proud of
or excited about a novel. It was not the easiest book to write or to edit, but
all of that work really paid off. And I think it’s an excellent reminder that
sometimes you must push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s the best way to
flex your muscles and to see what you’re truly capable of. I think Aleron and
Jasak learned the same lesson through the course of the book, both of them
reaching beyond literal and metaphorical walls to become something better.

When have you challenged yourself to move beyond your comfort zone? I’d love to
read your success stories!

And a bonus excerpt from OUTCAST MINE.

Normally, Aleron wouldn’t be pleased at the thought of physically arousing a
predator—especially a predator ten times stronger than him. But he trusted
Jasak, the man who could break him in half on a whim. More than that, he had
found a way to get under Jasak’s skin. That much was obvious. And now that he
was there, he just planned on burrowing deeper and deeper until Jasak would feel
him everywhere.

Aleron turned just enough to let his lips brush across Jasak’s skin. The contact
was electric. Jasak didn’t stop the kiss. He didn’t pull away from it. He didn’t
voice another warning, or try to remind Aleron that he was dangerous. Aleron
took that as a good sign. He kissed Jasak again, this time allowing his lips to
linger at the hollow of his throat. His tongue darted out, and he tasted the
core—the heat and fear and sweat that had coated Jasak’s skin while he brought
the old machinery back to life.

And then the warmth of Jasak’s body was gone. Aleron couldn’t stop his moan of
protest as Jasak left the bed, and frustration began to bubble beneath the
surface. He felt like he was starved for contact in general, but worse than
that, he genuinely craved the texture of Jasak’s skin and the feel of his body.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Jasak said, his voice soft.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s…”

Aleron stood. “It’s what? It’s dangerous? For who? You or me?” He slowly stepped
forward, like Jasak was a skittish bird who might fly away with a sudden rush.
“All we’ve got right now is each other.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I know that you want me. That you want to taste me and…”

“And you smell too much like prey.”

“You should know by now that doesn’t bother me.”

“I don’t want to just use you.”

Aleron lifted his shoulder. “Use me, if you have to. Jasak…don’t you miss being
close to somebody? Don’t you miss just being with somebody? Don’t you miss
losing yourself and accepting what comfort you can find?”

“Isn’t that the sort of thing that got you sent to this place?” Jasak asked.

“Sure. But now that I’m here, I realize I need it more than ever.” He took
Jasak’s arm, holding him in place as he touched his lips to Jasak’s throat
again. “I trust you. I know you trust me. You don’t have to fight this.”

Fresh hope surged in Aleron until Jasak grabbed him by the shoulders and gently,
but firmly, pushed him back. Aleron immediately opened his mouth to protest, but
the words stilled on his lips when he realized what Jasak was doing. He stripped
his shirt first, exposing the carved muscles of his torso and arms. A stark
reminder of what he was capable of. The skin on his face felt dry and tight, and
he was so flushed that he forgot he had ever been cold. He tried to respond in
kind, but his fingers were, for the first time in his life, fumbling and
nonresponsive. He felt like they were too fat and too cold. When Jasak pushed
his pants to the floor, Aleron gave up.

Buy OUTCAST MINE at Carina Press. Comment to win a copy of OUTCAST MINE

Comments

23 comments posted.

Re: Jamie Craig | Beyond the Comfort Zone

like the sound of the book....
(Debbi Shaw 10:39am February 17, 2011)

I have read similarly written books but not with this particular plot premise.
That alone would make me want to read this book. I am curious though about
how the editing process works. Do each of you get a copy to correct or do
you get together and do it together or do you each edit your own chapters?
Blogs tend to make me ask more questions than I ever realized I would have.
Still, I must congratulate you both on taking this chance and I wonder if you
will continue to do it this way or go back to your previous method.
(Sandra Spilecki 11:14am February 17, 2011)

I moved beyond my comfort zone when we lost our house a couple of years ago, and had to start over. We had no place to go, so we packed our belongings into our pick-up truck and pop-up camper, and headed to the nearest campground, which was to be our new home. It's just a good thing I don't mind camping, because we did that for a while until we could find a new place to move into. Congratulations on your new book. It sounds like a real page-turner!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:40am February 17, 2011)

I had never heard of that Leonard Nimoy movie. I think it is so interesting how you two are able to collaborate with each other. I'm sure it took time to figure out how to play to each others strengths during the writing/editing process. Great post!
(Stacie Deramo 11:40am February 17, 2011)

I went out of my comfort zone when I lost my house a couple of years back, and my Husband and I had to start over. We packed up our pick-up and pop-up camper with our belongings, grabbed our dog, and headed for the nearest campground, which was to be our new home. It's a good thing that I didn't mind camping, because we did that for a while until we could find a place to live. Congratulations on your latest book. It sounds like a real page-turner!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:42am February 17, 2011)

The book sounds really interesting. I love the trapped aspect of it.
(Pam Hager 12:33pm February 17, 2011)

The process you both used sounds so interesting. Great that you can trust each other to write together and amass the novel that became. The plot sounds awesome, by the way! And I have added this movie to my TBW list.
(Joanne Reynolds 1:04pm February 17, 2011)

Interesting idea for a story... always wondered how multiple authors collaborate and create a book together... how their ideas mesh into one story...
(Colleen Conklin 2:37pm February 17, 2011)

I'm always amazed when I hear of writers working together to write a book and I am always interested to hear how that works.

I think it must be really exciting, having someone to bounce ideas off...help with the writing and editing.

Sounds you have a good team going, and this book sounds really awesome!!

Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 2:50pm February 17, 2011)

How wonderful that the two of you can meld your thoughts and talents!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 3:26pm February 17, 2011)

My comfort zone was taken when my mom went into a nursing home - I had been her caregiver for ten years - and I had no idea what to do with myself...

This book sounds really good...
(Sara Brockunier 4:11pm February 17, 2011)

It was good to get a chance to read how the concept of the story developed. It has been awhile since taking a step out of my comfort zone.
(Leni Kaye 4:40pm February 17, 2011)

Fascinated by the writing process. I can't imagine how hard a collaboration must be. Well done!!
(Mary Preston 4:42pm February 17, 2011)

That's so cool to change up your writing patterns. The book sounds great! The last time I got outside my comfort zone, it didn't work out so well.
(J H 6:08pm February 17, 2011)

The book sounds like a good read. i try to keep inside my comfort zone!
(Brenda Rupp 8:07pm February 17, 2011)

Hello ladies,

I am a big fan, and enjoy your stories so much, and can't wait to read Outcast Mine.
(Cathy MacDonald 8:10pm February 17, 2011)

My comfort zone was taken away when my Mom passed away on Valentine's Day three years ago and I did not get to the hospital in time to tell her how much I loved her. Love to read books where a couple writers share their ideas in the same story. Can't wait to read this and Thanks for the contest.
(Teresa Ward 8:41pm February 17, 2011)

I moved out of my comfort zone when I moved from the northeast to Texas without knowing anyone or having a job. I like to think I was courageous rather than crazy! So far, it's working out. Outcast Mine sounds like a good read, made more interesting by knowing how it was created.
(Karen Cherubino 9:12pm February 17, 2011)

Thank you for that wonderful excerpt. I have always wondered how two author work together to write. I imagine those brilliant minds struggling for control.

One of my biggest challenges that moved me well beyond my comfort zone. But I did it - I became a US Marine!
(Cynthia Netherton 9:45pm February 17, 2011)

Sounds like you have a interesting book there. Its hard for someone to step out of their comfort zone. I think you both have something going here for you.
(Diane Castiglione 10:25pm February 17, 2011)

Two heads are better than one! Comfort zones usually take the routes of least resistence, but in your case, I'm not so sure!
(Kathleen Gereg 10:44pm February 17, 2011)

I find myself continually leaving my comfort zone. I do it because it's life and I have to live it. I usually do it with both feet. Once upon a time getting noticed really bothered me because I don't walk too well or move very well, so I started with an idea on how I would handle the next surgery. Service merely need to walk beside you in a store to get that smile from someone who may not have smiled all day, or questions you patiently answer, or a child who doesn't understand why you don't play with them at will. Invitations to girl scout meetings are accepted with the idea that you can teach them something, while also making a game for your dog that gets her trained to do something new. Big dogs are guy magnets and she shamelessly flirts with them. They are always asking how they can get their dog trained or how to get one so they can take them everywhere. My response is always the same, the first step is getting a disability that your doctor would fill out papers for. It doesn't matter what you train your dog to do they aren't service dogs without a partner that has a disability.

I'm curious about your book and what the men in it were like before arriving in prison. Were they both really bad guys? Was one of them gay before, or both, or is that something they'll leave behind when they're once again free? Will they both ever be free or are they both lifers? Sounds like a book worth reading for those answers.
(Christina Harrison 8:13am February 18, 2011)

Leaving a comfort zone helps you grow perspective and gets you out of the same vanilla life. Collaborating is a fine art and in a writers group, I learned how to do dialogue finally. No two people have the same thing in mind, so as complexity increases the nuances become more obvious.
(Alyson Widen 10:51pm February 27, 2011)

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