Writing my first novel?

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Ok I don't want to go into details or even a summary right now about what my novel is about, but I feel that the idea is really original and I feel that it can possibly get published and sell. I will be rooming with a good friend of mine soon, who draws really well and also has his own story he has been working on. My question is if it is common for a new author to write his first novel with the help of a co-author? I'm sure that this has happened before, but I just worry that no matter how good the story is...people will not take me seriously if me and a friend co-author our first work? Am I worrying too much about nothing or is the idea of having a co-author on my first book a stupid idea that will not work out? If it is a career killer move...I guess he can just do a few black/white illustrations(much like the style seen in Stephen King novels) for me. Are there any authors or avid readers on here who could please talk to me about this?

Does nobody have a word to say about this really???

I think you're worrying too much; if you really want to co-author the novel with him, then do so. However, there is some validity in your thoughts, as it's likely to be difficult to establish a "loyal" fan base if you didn't write your debut alone

My take on it is you should write the novel yourself - it's not that hard, and stylistic differences in a work are painful - but ask for input/ideas from him. It's definitely a safer bet career-wise. If you're just doing it for the art though, you should just do whatever the hell you feel like doing and not worry about anything.

The page won't allow me to post links since I don't have enough posts. "Doing it for the art" is a reference. Hit up tvtropes dot org and search for "doing it for the art" if you care.

Yes perhaps I am worrying a bit, but my concerns are reasonable as you have agreed. I might just take a course on creative writing this spring or summer to improve on my writing abilities. I could possibly even have the teacher give me suggestions and do some editing for me. I wonder if it is possible to have a writing professor be my editor for the novel? I am trying to make a career out of writing, but I do enjoy writing for the art as well. I am not just in it for the money as the saying goes. I will check out the link you posted. Thanks for your reply. If anyone else on here has any knowledge to share on the subject, I greatly appreciate it.

My thoughts are that you should just get it on paper now and worry about editing later (i.e. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont). Have you ever done NaNoWriMo? Would it be worth it to stage a similar goal for, say February, and prepare your outline this month? You won't get your best writing, sure, but you'll have a basis to work from. My own writing gets monumentally better on the second or third pass, based on experience.

Maybe fifteen years ago, I had collaborated with a (former?) friend of mine on a novel which never got finished. At the time, I never thought having a co-author would have hurt my writing career (career? What career? I'm still not published!). Even if we had been successfully published, I think I still could have stood on my two legs as an author.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Wasn't Good Omens co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett?