3 Keys to Collaborative Writing

Writing is typically viewed as a solitary endeavor -- a sole scribe laboring over a computer screen.
 
This, of course, is often the most logical and efficient approach. Deep collaboration on a press release or a routine blog post makes little sense beyond sending a near-final draft to a colleague for a good edit and some recommendations for improvement.
 
Yet for more in-depth or creative projects, there are times in which teamwork makes the dream work.
 
After all, writing teams are prevalent in the movie world. The shared vision of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert resulted in the Oscar-dominating Everything Everywhere All At Once. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are famous for team writing that led to the screenplay for Good Will Hunting.
 
That approach can have real value when you are working on an in-depth report, a speech, or a long-form article.
 
Turn Two’s Lauren Stewart and I recently partnered on a speech project, and I would argue the result is better than either of us would have produced if we had written alone. The benefit came from us bringing our own unique perspective and insights to create a final product that will resonate most effectively with its intended audience. 
 
Here are my three key takeaways on collaborative writing that can help make the most of a team effort.
 
Start early: The value of collaboration shines in the initial brainstorming process. This is where you can benefit from considering the project from a big picture perspective – identifying overarching themes and angles and then talking them through to land on a clear direction for the piece.
 
Someone take the lead: Analyzing every sentence together when creating an initial draft is not only inefficient, but it can also make it challenging to get into the essential flow that is necessary for developing a well-crafted piece. At some point during the writing process, someone needs to take the lead to get something down on paper. In this phase, the writer can set the overall tone and pace of the piece -- something that is relatively easy to pick up and replicate when the handoff is made to the other writer.
 
The shared edit: This is where the value of the team effort truly emerges. Walking through a draft together provides the opportunity to talk through the issues and challenges that arise as a solo writer. Working through the trouble spots can be much easier when you have the benefit of another engaged brain that has been involved from the start of the process. And some fresh ideas inevitably emerge that make the piece even better.
 
Team writing doesn’t always make sense. And there are times in which vastly different styles or visions can make it more trouble than it is worth. But in instances where there is a shared vision and an openness to collaboration, two heads can definitely be better than one.

Scott Westcott
Managing Partner