What do you think of when you hear the word “writer”? Is it a lonely, disturbed, and somewhat disheveled individual tapping away furiously at a keyboard? If so, then you have bought into the lone writer myth! The reality is that much writing is done collaboratively. Collaboration can be used at every stage of the writing process–from idea generation to the final draft–to make your writing stronger. Here are some ways you can use collaboration in writing:

Develop a Strong Focus

Use a group process in the idea stage to be sure you get off to a good start. Two or more heads are often better than one in determining the right direction for a topic.

Break It Down

Split a large document into parts, and assign each part to one person. You can then review each other’s work, have one person edit for consistency in voice, or both. When you use this method, put one document owner in charge of assembling all the pieces. The owner should also track who has turned in which drafts, what stage the review process is in, etc.

Try a Group Review

Rather than having people review your work individually, get a group together to review and discuss. Insights may emerge in a group dynamic that would not otherwise come to light. To save time, have participants review the document in advance and come prepared with their top three insights/suggestions.

Team Up

Work with a creative team to develop visual and functional experiences for readers and viewers. One of my favorite parts of my work is watching my writing become part of an integrated document, such as a website, brochure, newsletter, or display. I enjoy the process of collaborating with designers and programmers to ensure the tone of my words matches the design style, interface, etc.

Write Together Separately

Try getting together with one or more fellow writers to work on projects at the same time. While you are not actively collaborating, having someone else nearby in “word generation mode” can boost your productivity. You also have someone to ask for ideas if you get stuck or to entertain you when you’re ready for a break.

Did I forget your favorite collaborative writing method? What is it?