Writing Solo or Collaboratively?

So, it seems that we're all finally returning back to the "real world" post-Christmas and New Years (at least I know I am), so it's time for me to get back to blogging. :)

BTW, Thanks to the Lord that I'm not still plumbing (and no, I'm not getting into THAT today; but I will soon if you like - let me know. The wounds of defeat are still a bit too raw at the moment...LOL).

Anywho, I thought I would tackle one of the questions posted in my Question Contest from Week 1, by Naomi. She asked: "Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?".

This, for me at least, is an easy one.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE collaboration. I would rather, any day of the week, work with someone else. I totally groove on the unique synergies and unexpected gems that arise from working with another writer (or writers) to develop a story. It is so amazing to me to see the diverse perspectives and life experiences of individual authors meld and mix into an amazing, better-than-it-could-have-ever-been-before creation! I love to watch the way small, seemingly insignificant "idea seeds" from a single author, when watered with the imagination of another, blossom into a stunning flower of unusual perfection.

For me, as well, there is another benefit. When I know that there is another author (or authors) who is depending on me to write, I work thousands of times harder than if it is merely me, working solo. If I am working solo, I have a very bad habit of giving myself breaks and letting deadlines slip. However, if I know that someone else is waiting on me to turn in my 6 K (or whatever) so they can work on their next assignment, I will move Heaven and Earth to make it happen.

Are there downsides? Sure. Authors are people and people don't always see eye-to-eye. However, I've learned that if you can learn to take the criticism of your ideas as constructive comments instead of personal attacks, then this becomes less of an issue. Also, if you can teach yourself to view "your creation" passively and with a detached eye and remove your pride from the equation, then you will be absolutely amazed at what you can accomplish working with others. :)

Pretty much everything I've ever done that's been worth anything has been done collaboratively. Skein of Shadows was written with FIVE other authors, for instance (which is something I need to blog about one day as well...). For that matter, Untold , my card-based RPG, was developed with my two business partners, as well. :D

So Faithful, what do YOU think? Do you prefer working solo, or collaboratively? Let me know by commenting below!