Writing Partnerships - Creating Together

Writing Partnerships
            Creating Together

“Actually, none of us on this planet ever really choose each other.  It’s all quantum physics and molecular attraction.  There are laws we don’t understand that bring us together and break us apart.”
              - Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) Bull Durham

If the thought of exploring writing partnerships has ever crossed your mind you may have  chosen one of two paths, outright dismissed it because, after all, writing is a solitary business, or figured you could never find the right partner.  Though there are certain things that necessarily stem from good writing partnerships much of the alchemy of creativity comes from transforming the raw substance of each partner.  The outcome is as unique as the two writers themselves. 

Some of the reasons people work together is it’s just more fun.  It’s not that either of you couldn't create the project on your own but it’s not nearly as exciting as brainstorming, laughing and creating together.  Those who have written together, and the list is longer than you might think, swear they’d never go back.  For one thing, it’s just not as motivating writing alone day after day.  Although you can both hit lows at the same point, somehow partners manage to pull each other through.  One of the other key benefits to working together usually results in work that is more well-rounded.  Inevitably each partner brings different strengths to the table.  One may have more gut-splitting humor, the other an incredible way of turning intimate scenes into smoking-hot eroticism.  One will have a knack for weaving complex subplots the other for pacing and momentum.  Collaboration makes it possible to turn out work that is better than either alone could create.  It’s the key to incredibly creative output, and as readers, movie-goers and TV-watchers, we are all better off because of it.

Although writers often enjoy writing alone the synergy that occurs in a writing partnership cannot be duplicated.  The plots and characters are more robust, the scenes more alive.  And lest you think all writing partnerships are about both people writing consider that some writing partnerships are most fruitful by collaborating on story arc or character development.  Others, when stuck or struggling can be the think tank needed to stir new juice into the mix.  Brainstorming, working out scenarios and crafting pitch perfect endings are other ways writing partnerships can enhance your writing process.  So the next time you feel stuck or your creative streak has gone bone dry, invite someone your respect, whose mind inspires you, to spend twenty or thirty minutes in collaboration.  You’ll be amazed how quickly the compounded benefits of two minds working together will have you over your struggle and off and running again.