A note about co-writing
Filling a gap versus being a chickensh*t: you decide
I once met a filmmaker who was promoting a “no-co” message, determined to get filmmakers to think twice before committing to co-directing films. Her message fit perfectly with a soapbox on which I often find myself:
Shared enthusiasm is not a good enough reason to co-write anything.
What must be in place instead (or in addition) is that each writer must bring something to the work that the other cannot. Here’s why: a vast majority of the time, the lure of co-writing happens because a writer doesn’t want to stand alone in saying a thing.
What that means: often, writers, especially in the opinion and editorial space, recognize they’re writing persuasively, and make their case about something they believe in and have the credentials to back up. And, once that realization hits them, they subconsciously panic and send the work to a colleague with similar credentials and they talk about it and suggestions are made and a co-authored piece is born.
Instead, add a co-author only when they are adding a credential or area of knowledge/expertise that is outside your own. If you’re, say, a social worker and writing an opinion piece, what the hell do you gain by adding another social worker, besides someone to shoulder potential backlash with you? Nothing. But, if you’re a social worker and you co-write with, say, a therapist specializing in addiction and recovery, imagine how much richer and deeper your piece is going to be by having your two disciplines represented on the page, each boosting and furthering the other.
And, to be sure, I get it. Saying a big thing is not without its risks. And, backlash is a real thing. But, if you’re tempted to add a co-writer with similar credentials to your own, ask yourself if you are really ready to say the thing you want to say and ready to put it out in the world… or if you are maybe adding a coauthor because you want the support in case there is backlash.
Which is fine, and which is real, but there are many strategies to help buffer yourself from potential backlash and preemptively surround yourself with support in case you need it. Because sharing the byline also dilutes the stake you’re putting in the ground through the effort of your own credentials, a stake that you probably worked very hard to get.
Sharing a byline is absolutely okay, and can be a hill of fun, but be clear with yourself each and every time about why you’re doing it. You can say hard things. You can write and publish hard truths. You can do that with a co-writer, but you can also do it on your own.
