Strategies for Identifying Collaborators & Writing Collaboratively

Strategies for Identifying Collaborators & Writing Collaboratively

Rachel VacekHead of Web Services

Write Your Scholarly Publication Month EventJuly 9, 2012

Collaboration…is a recursive process where two or more people

or organizations work together to realize shared goals…

by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaboration, July 8, 2012

Going from I to We

Quick Survey

Who has written something collaboratively?

Who is considering finding a partner for publication?

Outline

Part 1: Benefits of collaborative writingPart 2: Challenges of collaborative writingPart 3: Finding an appropriate collaboratorPart 4: Etiquette of writing collaborativelyPart 5: Miscellaneous Tips

Part 1: Benefits of Collaborative Writing

Strengthen interpersonal skills

Learn new things together

Gain new perspectives

Get an opportunity for personal feedback

Enhance quality of scholarship

Get exposure and stand out

Part 2: Challenges of Collaborative Writing

Poor Communication

• Conflicting ideas• May not be starting in the

same place• Lack of shared vision• Duplication of efforts• Different underlying

purpose for writing• Different priorities

Personality Differences

• Competitiveness• Determined vs. indecisive• Lack of trust• Hard-worker vs. less motivated• Not dedicated to task

Do not collaborate for collaboration sake.

Only do it if it will benefit you, strengthen your publication,

and you want to do it.

Part 3: Finding an appropriate collaborator

WHAT do you know?• What projects are you

working on?• Are you doing anything

interesting, cutting-edge, unique?

• What are your interests and passions?

• What do you research or keep current on?

• Do you bring a unique perspective to a topic?

What excites you?

Take 3 minutes to write down a few IDEAS or TOPICS that you

might want to write about

WHO do you know?

• Who do you know in the field that shares…– Your job responsibilities? – Your research interests?– Your passion for a particular topic?

• Who do you have respect for or admire?• Who are your project partners?

WHO do you know?

• Find someone whose skills complement yours – Broad overview vs. attention to details– Technical vs. non-technical

• Partner with colleagues who have published before– Familiar with publishing process– Can bring unique perspective– Possibly get additional name recognition– A commitment to a respected colleague can help

with motivation and task completion

Take 3 minutes to write down some NAMES of PEOPLE you know that you might want to write with

Part 4: Etiquette of writing collaboratively

BEFORE the writing process begins

• Do you know where you are going to publish?• Have your collaborators published with that

publisher or editor before?• Manage expectations - talk about things, don’t

assume• Determine how you are going to communicate:– In-person– Online (Skype, chat)– Phone

BEFORE the writing process begins

• Be sure everyone understands his or her role and what contributions each will make

• Understand each person’s institution’s values on collaboration vs. solo publication

• Understand your colleague’s motivation for writing

BEFORE the writing process begins

• Set a schedule with deadlines and check-ins• Determine:– Who the “lead” is on the publication– Who will be the contact with editor or publisher– Who will do the research, literature review, etc.– Who will write the abstract, outline, citations, put

it in one voice, include images, do major editing

DURING the writing process

• Be prepared to take over some of the writing and or editing if one or more of your collaborators is unable to do so

• Set up schedules for updates and revising drafts

• If you have writer’s block, take a break and come back to it later

• Do your part• Motivate one another

The END of the writing process

• Double check all info and citations• Decide order of author names for your

publication• Be considerate when editing your collaborators’

work – they put heart and soul into it• Try to put the entire publication into one voice –

it shouldn’t read as if it were written by separate people with different writing styles

• Edit, edit, edit

AFTER publication

AFTER publication

• Support one another after article is published• If process was positive:– look for future topics to collaborate on– bring in other new authors with similar interests

• If process was negative:– do not write with that person again– keep professional relationship positive

Part 5: Miscellaneous Tips

Miscellaneous Tips

• Use Google Docs/Drive or a similar asynchronous web-based word processor

• Be consistent in the way charts and graphs are prepared, or images are captured

• Be realistic and understanding of people’s time and talents

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or offer help among your collaborators

Miscellaneous Tips

• Be upfront with your publisher– If you can’t meet a deadline• Ask for an extension• See if your article can be published in a later issue

Thanks!

Photo Credits

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/opedagogen/5265755107/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/heycoach/1197947341/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/iblee/2302805030/