The Art of Collaboration: Joys and Pitfalls of Co-Authorship

The Art of Collaboration: Joys and Pitfalls of Co-Authorship

Now that Writing Deep Scenes: Plotting Your Story through Action, Emotion & Theme is shipping (though the formal release date is not until October), I have a deep appreciation for the art of collaboration and co-authorship and am incredibly grateful to my co-author, Jordan Rosenfeld, author of several novels and books for writers. Joys, there were many. Pitfalls, miraculously there were none. 

Jordan and I met a couple of years ago, thanks to our mutual friend Susanne Lakin, immediately connected and decided to collaborate and nearly as quickly sent off a proposal to Writer Digest for Writing Deep Scenes, which was accepted and we began writing together.

We each wrote the parts we wanted to write, shared our pieces, gave and accepted feedback, rewrote and submitted. Joys, there are too many to count. Pitfalls, there were none. Truly, the process of writing our book on scenes was that smooth. So what made our collaboration so effortless?

6 Key Elements of a Successful Collaboration

1) Mutual Respect 
We have our own specific platforms, each of which overlaps the other

2) Solid Point-of-View 
We knew what we wanted to say and said it

3) A Sense of Safety
We trusted each other and felt safe exploring new territory together

4) Support
We supported each other with deadlines, feedback — both positive and needing adjustments, and accountability

5) A Common Goal
We both have a burning desire to share our experience and study and practice and knowledge of the craft of plotting and writing scenes with other writers. As Jordan writes in her book Persistence: How to Create a Lasting and Productive Writing Practice, “Serving or helping other writers is one of the most effective ways of fighting discouragement, despair, and the feelings that often keep us overly focused on the self.”

6) Generous Spirit
We each believe in abundance rather than scarcity and sharing rather than hoarding.

 You’re invited to our in-person book launch party for Writing Deep Scenes: Plotting Your Story through Action, Emotion & Theme Thursday, September 10th at Bookshop Santa Cruz. Join us! There will be cake!