Screenwriting : November Writing Club: Collaborations and Celebrations.. by Cynna Ael

So Geoffrey made a post regarding this week's topic regarding collaborations and what makes good ones. He then asked "... what qualities you’re looking for in a collaborator — this can be based on past positive or negative experiences, or simply a wishlist for your dream creative partnership."

I've had collaborations in novel writing, comic book writing, editing, and other various things. When I look back on it- I find there are a core set of components I come to rely on for my collaborators. In fact, they're the "Must Haves" if we're going to work together. Which now that I'm writing this, I think is absolutely hysterical I never noticed it before.

First- they have to be invested in telling a great story and enjoy the genre we're working in. I've had people who were "eh" about the genre and it showed when it came time to edit each other's work or when it came time to bounce ideas off each other on where the story goes. Having someone who is enthusiastic and enjoys the genre is honestly a good 75% completion right there.

Second- they need to be willing to be different. I don't need a "yes" person. I may say I want one, and trust me, I will tell you I do, but I really don't. I want someone to tell me they see or think differently. To force me to step back and look at the storyline from a bigger, broader perspective. Why? Because sometimes that extra viewpoint can make all the difference in how we see a certain scene or four. It can convey the rage, the terror, the love, and even the apathy that's being showcased in the moment in a different way from what I was thinking or feeling by them being different in their viewpoint.

Third-- they must have humour. Dear gods, the world doesn't have enough humour of all kinds and I sorely need it sometimes to get me through the day. My besties will be the first to tell you how I live off of sarcasm, petty, and dark humour most days. But then a good Three Stooges physical comedy moment can have me laughing so hard I can't breathe properly and restore my faith in humanity. A collaborator who has a complementary sense of humour helps to bolster a script in ways where I might be weak. More, they might be able to really rev up that aspect more than I can ever put my finger on.

Fourth- they must understand the neurodivergent mind, or be willing to learn. I'm neurodivergent and I won't apologise for it. It allows me to look outside the box and see things in new ways others cannot. I have a PhD in pattern recognition that drives my friends and family absolutely bonkers. (Seriously, I tend to predict Marvel movies and upset people.) When you work with someone who understands neurodivergency, it means a bond of trust is formed. It allows a greater freedom to share and work freer to make a story worth telling.

Fifth- They have to be understanding I work a day job and I'm not always around in the day, though I try my best. I try to be flexible and I know they do too. I do my writing on weekends, and about 2-3 nights a week. Does it work for me? Yes. Is it easy- absolutely not. Carving out time to collaborate would be something we work on together.

So, would I love to collaborate to write something with someone? Produce something? Absolutely. Will I find there to be rough spots occasionally? Yup. But anything can be worked out with some patience, communication, and sincere joy in the process.