OK - I've run into a block on a novel I'm working that I don't think I can overcome on my own. I just can't plot that long. I have the beginning, the end, the world, the main character, some other characters, some really good scenes.

The offer I'd like to make to another writer: you look at what I've got. You come up with a fairly detailed outline (a page or two per chapter). I'll do a first draft. And when it comes to further drafts, we divide the labor the way you choose.

Question: is this a fair offer? Am I asking the other person to do much of the work? Am I monopolizing the fun of writing?

I get to bring the doggy home tomorrow after work. Tonight I need to dog-proof the living room, set up the crate, and figure out how to attach the dog car seat to the seats in my car. Also, take the tags off all the dog toys I bought.

Aw, happy homecoming, Hil.

Typo, I think what you're asking is essentially what a ghostwriter would do, but he or she would be paid. If you and a friend wanted to collaborate on an idea, that's one thing, but asking someone to outline your idea for you, for free, seems a little unlikely.

Well I was thinking partnership, but from what you are saying it is not really partnership, it is ghostwriting. So way too much of ask of in a 50/50 relationship.

Happy Doggie Proofing Hil!

So my nephew is getting a bunch of fillings done tomorrow. They are having to sedate him, but hopefully he'll be a trooper.

It's not really a partnership unless you collaborate on the idea. Although it could be if found someone to agree to it. In my experience, though, most writers either want to be part of the creative process, or they want a work-for-hire gig that pays.

Ah if they had their own input into the idea then it would be a more standard partnership? But I'd still need them to come up with almost all of the plot, probably in outline form, so that is still not a partnership.

Does anyone have a second to give me a reality check?

I spent much of last evening dealing with a petcare customer who was basically blackmailing the company for $20.

I'd really appreciate commentary on my response from someone who doesn't know anything about the history of this case. I'm so close to it, I may not be thinking clearly.

If you read the following, what would you think?

Mr. A's account is correct except for one important detail.

He told both our Director of Petcare and myself that if we did not give him the last walk he mentioned for free, he would 'trash us on Angie's List.”

He mentioned Angie's List by name.

My communication with Mr. A has always been respectful, and the two previous times when something went wrong with his service, we acted swiftly and decisively on his behalf.

We discounted his service on both occasions, fired the first employee and sanctioned the second.

This time, the walker had a problem with the dog's harness and made the best choice she could for the safety of the dog. The safety and comfort of our charges is our number one priority.

We did not discount this last service and Mr. A has followed through on his threat.

My offer for referrals was meant as a kindness to help him find a trusted service that he could move to quickly, without disruption of service for his dog.

At no point did I raise my voice or speak in a disrespectful manner. This cannot be said for Mr. A who made it clear that all I needed to do to keep him from sharing his thoughts here was to give him free service.

====== Should I add or subtract anything?

MUCH obliged for your thoughts.

To be honest, Bonny, if I were to read that without knowing you or seeing exactly what the customer's complaints were, I would take from it that you or your employees messed up three times wrt this customer's service, and I would be wondering why you wouldn't give him one free service to compensate. I'm sure there is much more to the story than that, but I'm not sure what you have written will really help you will potentially new customers.

Yeah, I read the part about firing someone and sanctioning another and went "Wow, what did they do that was so bad the company agreed with the customer to that extent?" Though there is a chutzpah element that looks good in that you're standing up and addressing the situation.