Bit #30 – Finding the Right Writing Group (or Groups)
Being part of a writing group (or groups) is the key to academic success. Writing should NOT be an isolated or individual event, and the more we can share the load with others, the more productive we will be and the more we will enjoy (gasp!) the process.
My writing groups are why I have produced 16 publications in 3.5 years while teaching a full (4×4) load and raising a child. I do not say this to brag but to emphasize the lifesaving value of a writing group. I could not have survived this long without my groups. 🙂
There are two types of writing groups; accountability (working on different projects but keeping each other on track) and team (working on the same project). Both are beneficial, and you can have both for different purposes.
My writing team serves both as a team and an accountability group (as many teams do), but I have some groups that only serve as my accountability partners. Writing groups can come and go. I have one writing team that is always working on a project, and I have three other teams that only work together as we find projects that make sense for collaboration. What is most important is that you have writing groups in place. The steps below will help you create writing groups (or add more).
- Don’t wait for someone to come to you. Search for people who you would like to be in your groups.
- Choose carefully. Find people with a similar work ethic, purposes for writing, etc., to you. Everyone in the group will obviously have differences (thank goodness), and you want people whose strengths are a good match for your weaknesses and vice versa but having people who do not pull their own weight will hurt the group (think about other group projects you have been involved in). Plus, diversity cultivates growth.
- Make sure someone takes the lead on each project. If that is you, provide leadership. Leadership responsibilities can be based on author order (see below) or whatever makes the most sense for your group. Leadership responsibilities often rotate.
- Create a data/writing management plan. What tools/systems are you going to use for collaboration? Popular ideas include Google Suite, Dropbox, and Trello.
- Decide on authorship as a group. Nothing kills a great collaboration faster than authorship (see last week’s email).
- Decide on a writing strategy. Group roles? Is everyone going to write? How will you divide up the parts? Will some people take a lesser role in the process? Dividing up the work is an important step that should not be taken lightly. Remember, you must produce a cohesive product at the end. The more Frankenstein-like your parts, the more difficult the editing process. Collaboration is a spectrum, and the level of contribution should match the authorship order. UNC Chapel Hill presents a series of questions to help guide this process (https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/group-writing/).
- Set clear timelines and adhere to them.
- Be transparent throughout the process. Groups that can trust each other are MUCH more successful, sustainable, and enjoyable.
- Pull your weight. Being a coauthor is a benefit and a responsibility.
- Celebrate your successes! While publication acceptance is worth celebrating, make sure to celebrate smaller successes along the way. The more you can cultivate the relationships within your groups, the more enjoyable the process will be for everyone.
Go start or join a writing group today! 🙂
