April 13, 2018

What does collaboration really mean?

There is a great deal of misconception surrounding this concept. When asked what a collaboration is, most people answer, "It's teamwork," and it is, but it stretches far beyond that word that is most often associated with sports.

Any endeavor or process that involves more than one person is a viable starting point in a discussion of collaboration. And, of course, for the purposes of this blog, I'll be using the collaboration between a ghostwriter and his or her client/author.

True collaboration is a process that can be taught, and in the case of a ghostwriter serving his client, this process begins from the very first meeting because it is then that a candid discussion of the ground rules and the road map these two individuals need to follow, will begin. This is one of the first areas where a ghostwriter can help his client by guiding him or her through this discussion.

This understanding will set the foundation of the entire project, the behaviors of both parties and the ideas and solutions that evolve out of this process and while this blog pertains mostly to fiction writing, it is also applicable to a collaboration on a memoir or business book. (Details on those two entities in a later Blog).

First, both individuals have a voice in all aspects of the process including: the original outline, plot, character development, narrative voice, style and so on.

The project always begins with a theme. What is the point of this book? What is the genre? What are the author's goals (publishing, business cache, for friends and family only, etc.). Once this is established, an outline is created jointly between ghost and client. This is the foundation for the entire book. Many times, in fiction, this is simply developing a rough three-act-play format and then filling in the specifics as the two partners brainstorm dozens of potential outcomes for the story.

In a true collaboration, each person wants to take ownership to some extent in the final product; they want to belong to the discussion and the process. Each participant IS an owner, an equal investor so to speak.

It is also important to note that collaboration should not be confused with "cooperation." Cooperation is when each person on the team (2), develops his or her own plans or structures and then "shares" them with the team. In this case, there may be valuable insights gained, but the focus is still on individual actions and achievement, rather than a collective (2) strategy. Collaboration is when client and ghost's goals are subordinated to the collective achievement, which of course, is the original goal defined by the client. 

A ghostwriter starts out guiding the discussions based on the client's needs, wants and goals. After this is agreed upon, it is also agreed (with fiction in particular) that brainstorming ideas take temporary precedent over individual achievement. Since most clients are new to this process, the ghostwriting collaboration differs from others at this juncture; the ghost as guide, must take control of the process in the beginning and at the same time be open to all ideas from the client. 

Once the foundation is set for the particulars of plot, character development, etc., that is when the brainstorming begins. Both client and ghost begin to ask the question often, "What if?" This tends to force out of the box thinking in that there are NO rules at this point. Any plot twist, character flaw or even final outcome as determined by the outline, is on the table for discussion for either inclusion or expulsion (collaboration). Even "what ifs" that seem ludicrous cannot be discounted. After all, that is part of the purpose of asking the question--to decide what might happen if we think so far outside the box we are able to arrive at new uncharted destinations that are both desirable and better than what would have happened had we followed all the normal rules. They call it fiction for a reason--it isn't real--it's better. Let's never forget that fiction is entertainment.

In this way, and only in this way, can the magic of fiction be allowed to unfold and achieve the ultimate success, which is that other individuals will purchase this book, enjoy it and tell their friends about it.

The real discussion that is always up for grabs on the subject of collaboration is: how do you implement and manage a true collaboration? That is a more detailed discussion that you will find a little further along in this blog. For the purposes of this writing, and for the ghostwriting experience, the one thing that makes a ghost/client collaboration so special is that it is a true example of each voice having an equal say in the outcome--but only to a point!

Both author (client) and ghost both are trying to subordinate their individual needs and wants to the good of "the book." The client generally receives all the credit in the end, and of course, is the one who is paying the bills. This is where diplomacy, patience and the realities of business world meet. Each ghost/client relationship is unique. Personalities are unique. Backgrounds and experiences are idiosyncratic. In short, in this collaboration, the ghost with all his knowledge, writing qualifications, business and publishing experience, will "win" some 'skirmishes," while the client who owns, authors and pays for this distinctive undertaking, will "win" others. However these disagreements are also part of the collaborative process where each partner can disagree or agree to disagree always keeping the final goals foremost in mind.

In the case of the ghost, he or she must ask, what are my client's goals and how can I help him or her best achieve them. That should be the ghost's primary goal. 

Personally, I find that the art and satisfaction of writing with another individual (especially in fiction), many times exceeds writing alone, and it often produces superior results as when going it solo. In the case of creating a fictional story, I feel two minds are always better than one. Not all writers agree with that theory however. And even clients don't always agree. Some of the novels I've ghostwritten for clients have been almost entirely written by me. Sometimes a client only has the main plot figured out and some sketches of the protagonist. In that case, starting with those elements, and some brainstorming, I have initiated my own outline, obtained approval from the client and then with occasional conversations with the client, I've forged ahead and written the work.

In other cases, the client wants greater control and involvement (see collaboration above). This is perfectly fine as well. In that case, more frequent discussions, brainstorming and "what ifs" will seek their own levels throughout the process until the work is completed.

To me, it's a luxury to have a partner who has completely different life experiences and asks totally different, "What if?" questions. Those experiences and conjectures often take a story down very unexpected and pleasant paths, but I can also enjoy doing most of the heavy lifting. That is one of the luxuries of working with a ghostwriter--you can choose exactly how you want the process to work.

So perhaps, just maybe, the ghostwriting/client relationship is one of the closest we have come so far to a successful and realistic collaboration, but only if both parties are patient, diplomatic, open minded and devoted to the same goals--the creation of a unique, marketable book that people will buy and enjoy.

(Check in frequently for updates. Next, we will tackle collaboration as it relates to memoirs and business books.)

Note: If you want to start at the beginning of this on-going Blog, go to the first March 31, 2018 Post. Also, you can visit my full website at: http://www.theghostwriter.net