Is Collaborating With Other Writers Always A Good Idea

I've always been the independent type when it comes to working. I'm not sure if it's because I just like working alone or I have that "only child syndrome". I'm sure it's the latter.

When you go on interviews, most often the interviewer ask the question, "Are you a team player?" Of course my answer is always yes. After all, I do have to pay the bills. But in the back of my mind, I'm saying I'd rather work independently.

This brings me to writing. As a creative writer, I like writing by myself. I enjoy the solitude and the peace. Besides, I have so many other voices in my head, it often gets a little to crowded.

But awhile back I had the opportunity to collaborate with two other writers--Keta Brown and Camille Tucker on a short fiction film entitled SPIN. Having worked with their mother, Martha Tucker, author of "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires" and co-editor with me for our church paper, New Dimension a publication of Faithful Central Bible Church http://www.faithfulcentral.com/ I was honored. Both had already established themselves as screenwriters in the Hollywood community.

I have to admit that it was challenging for a couple of reasons. One, not only do you have too respect each other's input, but two, you also have to respect each other's writing process.

My process was/is very different. I'm not a note taker. In most of my English courses in college I hardly ever took notes and I was never crazy about creating outlines, treatments and synopsis. I believe writing is more of a visual/mental process. However, I had to change this since I was not just dealing with my ideas, but two others.

Also we prayed before every meeting. Asking for peace, respect, harmony and God's will were very instrumental.

This collaboration became a great lesson for me. It helped me with patience which is a great asset when working on other people's projects or as a ghost writer. It also taught me that creating an outline or treatment can make you a better writer and help structure your idea into a great story.

Writing on my own individual projects is still my number one priority but working on SPIN has allowed me many open doors. So be open to work with others, but make sure they respect your input and your creativity.

For more about SPIN, please feel free to visit the website athttp://www.pneumaentertainment.com/

For more information on "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires, please visit http://http://www.urbanclassicbooks.com/

Congratulations to Tamika Lamison, Director and Screenwriters, Camille Tucker, Keta Brown and Sheilah Brooks for SPIN-- winner's of The Global Art Film Festival Hollywood 2007 Awards http://http://www.gaffers.org/winners.html