For many years, I wrote with a singular voice. But recently, I’ve been drawn to collaboration. It began with the project that I’m working on now. I could have created this project on my own, but it wouldn’t have felt complete. Instead, through collaboration, we’re creating a singular story with three different perspectives. Each element- the writing, the art, and the music- adds texture to the story.
Collaboration has taught me not just how to play well with others, but also how to draw inspiration from the creative process. Finding a rhythm and flow with other artists and feeding from each other is greatly satisfying. It’s beneficial to understand other artists’ creative processes. What works for them may work for me as well and vice versa.
Also, I’m a social person, so I enjoy working with different personalities. Their input can provide a perspective that I hadn’t considered. I enjoy the challenge of finding a balance between the narrative of each person working on the project. Combining those narratives to create a cohesive story has been a rewarding experience.
For those of you who create, do you prefer to work solo or to join others in collaboration?
I have collaborated a couple of times, and my current collaborator is a joy to work with. The last time I worked with someone, I wanted to jump into a volcano. That person didn’t want a collaborator (even though they had no idea what they were doing), they wanted a yes man, in service to that person’s ego. I couldn’t put my name on it. My new collaborator and I have that thing, that short hand, that comes with true collaboration. That being said, my true joy is creating something from nothing, from my own mind, with no other voices. Higher octane product. If you’re going to collaborate, it’d better be the RIGHT person, and you’d better have the same vision for the end result!
Hi Gary, I appreciate your comment! Collaboration certainly can feel like a craps shoot. There is an inherent risk to it, especially if you do not know the other person or persons with whom you are collaborating. With that said, when all goes well, the end result can be amazing. I liken the choice of creating solo or choosing to collaborate to a journey and your choice of transportation. I can choose to go solo on a bike in which I am both the driver and the navigator. I know the goal of the end result and how I want to get there. Collaboration is like driving in a car with others. You all will end up at the same location (end result) but each person may have a different idea of how to get there. Regardless of how you get there, enjoy the ride!