How to Build Great Writing Partnerships

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. First Draft Pro, a 2022 Camp NaNoWriMo sponsor, is a collaborative writing app built for story-nerds. Get free access during July 2022 for Camp NaNoWriMo! In this post, founder Tarryn-Anne Anderson shares helpful tips for writing collaboratively:

We often think of writers as loners on the outskirts of society, scribbling furiously in their notebooks and pecking away at their typewriters. So it’s pretty easy to conclude that writing is solitary, and perhaps even lonely, work. 

But collaboration is actually an integral part of storytelling! Along the journey from idea to publication, most books are the loving work of multiple people: co-writers, editors, and beta readers. That said, storytellers don’t always have the right tools to help them work effectively with others. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you get the most out of working collaboratively:

Co-writers

Working with a co-writer is probably the most obvious kind of partnership – you share the vision for a manuscript with another writer and work through the creative process together to get it done. Yes, you might need to relinquish some creative control, but the insight into someone else’s process can be really fun and inspiring!

Tips for cooperating with co-writers:

Play to each other’s strengths. Perhaps one of you is great at realistic dialogue while the other can write some epic descriptive prose. Bring the best of your skills to your story by focusing on what you’re good at.Work transparently. Choose a good cloud-based writing software (hint, hint) so that you can both work on your manuscript at the same time – even when you’re working remotely. Stay motivated. Set some shared goals for your manuscript. A target word count is often just what’s needed to inspire some furious typing. Editors

Writers are naturally protective over their stories! But don’t let your pride (and, ahem, prejudice) get in the way. Editors are there to spot the small things like grammar and typos, but also to offer suggestions on the bigger picture like how to tighten up your plot, or make your characters more relatable. 

Tips for embracing working with an editor:

Version control is your friend. You can expect a bit of rewriting during the editing process, but being able to track suggestions and roll back to previous versions allows you to let go and embrace change.Write in sections so that you can easily juggle bits around if need be. When that big edit comes in, it will be much simpler to shuffle scenes or chapters around. Beta readers

Beta readers are there to give you feedback from the perspective of a potential real-life reader. As such, your partner or bestie usually doesn’t make the best beta reader because they’re (hopefully!) less willing to dish out criticism about your work. Choose someone you trust, but who you know will be honest – the point is to make your story the best it can be, not to crush your spirit!

Tips for benefiting from beta readers:

Select readers who expand your worldview. Choose beta readers who might have life experiences or perspectives that differ from your own, or that align with your characters. Their feedback will help you make your work more authentic.Show your working. Give your readers context! Leave them notes and direct them to specific sections of the manuscript where you’re struggling or want a second opinion. Gather feedback in one place. Allow your beta readers to comment directly on your manuscript. That way there’s no confusion as to what they’re referring to, making it easy to implement the suggested changes. 

There really is magic in writing collaboratively. Although some parts of the writing process will be down to your individual genius, what better than to nerd-out with fellow story lovers about the nitty-gritty of your manuscript? 

First Draft Pro is designed with exactly this kind of collaboration in mind. Shuffle scenes, track changes, keep notes and refine your manuscript – together. Get free access to First Draft Pro for the duration of Camp NaNoWriMo! Whatever your goal, we’re here to help you meet it.