Collaborative Writing

katiuska · 01-19-2010, 06:16 AM

So I've been thinking that I could probably do more with a partner, since other people have different skills/perspectives to bring to the table. The main problem I see is the potential for creative differences, because two given people don't necessarily have the same artistic "vision." In my experience, it usually ends up primarily being one person's thing, with the other pitching in every so often, which isn't necessarily bad, it's just not quite working together.

Has anyone hit upon a good formula for shared projects? I've had a couple of good experiences, but they weren't really planned out--the projects just kind of came together, but I'm pretty sure that's rare.

Pip Boy · 01-19-2010, 08:44 AM

If you want a consistant writing style and a better understanding of the overall story, its probably best t owrite yourself. But if you want other perspectives on things, bouncing ideas off the forumites here is usually pretty handy. We even have a social group for it.

katiuska · 01-20-2010, 07:17 AM

Well, group writing is pretty standard in things like scriptwriting, so it's useful to learn. Not so much in novel writing, and I think most writers start out wanting to be novelists, but novels and I fell out years ago and I mostly prefer to read/write scripts now.

Bells · 01-19-2010, 10:36 AM

If you want a shared project, someone has to be the "Lead" in it. The other are there to rewrite dialog, bounce off ideas, research, point out problems, cliches and the such.

This is the only way i know that Collaborative writing can -not- become a drag. When there is someone pushing it foward writing stuff, while the others "oribit" the main work with their ideas.

Archbio · 01-19-2010, 02:17 PM

One of the dangers of collaborative writing is the risk of the work being adapted into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock.

01-19-2010, 06:16 AM	#1
katiuska Unlicensed Practitioner Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 801	Collaborative Writing So I've been thinking that I could probably do more with a partner, since other people have different skills/perspectives to bring to the table. The main problem I see is the potential for creative differences, because two given people don't necessarily have the same artistic "vision." In my experience, it usually ends up primarily being one person's thing, with the other pitching in every so often, which isn't necessarily bad, it's just not quite working together. Has anyone hit upon a good formula for shared projects? I've had a couple of good experiences, but they weren't really planned out--the projects just kind of came together, but I'm pretty sure that's rare. __________________ If I try too hard my brain explodes, so don't expect me to be witty on purpose. Last edited by katiuska; 01-19-2010 at 06:22 AM.

01-20-2010, 07:17 AM	#3
katiuska Unlicensed Practitioner Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 801	Well, group writing is pretty standard in things like scriptwriting, so it's useful to learn. Not so much in novel writing, and I think most writers start out wanting to be novelists, but novels and I fell out years ago and I mostly prefer to read/write scripts now. __________________ If I try too hard my brain explodes, so don't expect me to be witty on purpose.

01-19-2010, 10:36 AM	#4
Bells That's so PC of you Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In a Server-sided Dimension where time is meaningless Posts: 10,490	If you want a shared project, someone has to be the "Lead" in it. The other are there to rewrite dialog, bounce off ideas, research, point out problems, cliches and the such. This is the only way i know that Collaborative writing can -not- become a drag. When there is someone pushing it foward writing stuff, while the others "oribit" the main work with their ideas. __________________ *BELLS STORE : Clothes! You wear* them! Free US Shipping Subscription System? WTF?! Zazzle Black!**

01-19-2010, 02:17 PM	#5
Archbio Data is Turned On Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,980	One of the dangers of collaborative writing is the risk of the work being adapted into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock. __________________ 6201 Reasons to Support Electoral Reform.

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01-19-2010, 08:44 AM	#2
Pip Boy Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: A right and proper Nerd Cave Posts: 2,460	If you want a consistant writing style and a better understanding of the overall story, its probably best t owrite yourself. But if you want other perspectives on things, bouncing ideas off the forumites here is usually pretty handy. We even have a social group for it.