Collaboration and Co-Writing
I’ve had a taste of collaboration (and an excellent collaborator in Sal). I liked it. What we will produce together had more punch and depth than what would be produced alone. I think I love collaboration when the respect and personality mesh is there.
I’ve had an inkling of what co-writing might entail. I recently read a draft of a friend’s novel. She had given me permission to add notes and mark up her manuscript. The process of tweaking excellent prose, adding clarity, deleting extra words, tightening sentence structure and following story arcs for sub plots was a lot of fun.
If co-writing meant that kind of effort given to each other’s work, I think I would like it a lot.
I confess I can’t conceive of co-writing the actual chapters for fiction. Character movement, motivation, syntax and outlook are too complex for me to fully explain. Indeed, though I try to make complete character sketches, much of the character resides within my intuition–a place often devoid of verbalization.
Written collaboration seems quite different from project collaboration. I have experience in the latter, so it is not new to me. I really enjoyed my first taste of the former, which IS new to me. The closest things I’ve done were working on documents with my boss.
I can’t help but wonder, as I take on my biggest collaboration yet (more to come on that topic), just how far it can go. How will the play of personalities strengthen the words and encourage each of us as individuals? Collaboration has always been scary for me. Too many times I was the only one to fulfill the responsibility. This time is different. I know that. I’m so grateful for that.
How do you collaborate? How is co-writing usually done?
I have never co-written anything with anybody before, although my father-in-law wants to write a book together. The thought scares me because I have no idea how it should or would all work.
Co-writing would definitely mean the same amount of effort on all sides. If that doesn’t happen, you need to communicate what’s not working. If you can’t communicate with each other, I doubt the project is going to go well.
I wish you luck! Can’t wait to hear what collaboration you’re doing.
Yes, definitely have to be matched in effort, commitment, and time constraints to make it work for co-writing. I don’t know if I could do that for fiction at all. The collaboration… that I could do, I think, depending on the circumstances. I like editing, tightening, questioning (in moderation). I think I’d like someone to do that for me. I think a lot, but haven’t done much, lol.
Sean and I collaborate a lot and are working on something behind the scenes which will explore the idea much more.
All writers have egos. And we get wounded when someone slights us. The key to good, strong collaboration is being open to advice and being flexible and leaving ego at the door.
Ideally, you want someone who you are either in sync with or someone whose strengths and weaknesses compliment your own to make a better whole than the parts involved.
A good partner is someone who can tell you when your crap stinks and help you spin it into gold when possible. And you should be able to do the same with them.
Those are my thoughts on the writing end of it.
That’s my secret worry…that I would offend someone regarding their work. I like to think I’m tough, but I know I could be on the receiving end also.
Hi there, I started to co-write an adventure story – quite by accident, when a fellow writers character ( one that I quite liked and admired) decided to come and visit my screen, forcing my fingers to type things about him. I have never met the other writer and sheepishly asked if it were ok.. He thought it hilarious – so wrote a sequel to my story. Another writer had an inspired linking story to go with ours… and that is how http://captainjuan.com – or The Astonishing Adventures of Captain Juan all started. He now exists on facebook and has own site – where the three of us post a new chapter in the ongoing adventure every week. Its quite exciting, I love that the others see things in characters I had missed and we all compliment one another – quite by accident..
I have also co-written a non fiction book and had this published.
http://reclaimsexafterbirth.com
I think working with others really brings out the best in your writing, giving you new perspectives and new direction, also giving you clarity on what you believe.
It’s a valuable exercise – so if you haven’t done it – get out there!! You stop being precious about your ideas and begin to share and love what comes out of that.
please do come and visit either of my co-written work – love your comments!!