Get a Writing Buddy

By sparklyscotty on 4/13/09 4:10am
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Despite the overly romanticized view of authors working from home,  perhaps tapping away on their laptop in an eccentric office with a view of the garden, or scribbling on a notepad in front of a crackling fire, the reality is that working from home is just as hard as working in an office.  Perhaps more so.  One of the biggest drawbacks is a lack of a social group of peers.  You can't just pop next door and say "Hey Jones, mind looking over my last draft for me?"  Nor is there any back up for your productivity, whether in the form of a borrowed stapler or a staff member to cover for you when you need time off.

Or is there?

I have learned that there are very few things in life that you can't find if you look hard enough, and that most problems can be solved with creativity.  So if you are in need of a buddy for your writing there are some options open to you.

First,  let's look at why it can be beneficial to find a partner for your writing business.

  • A writing 'buddy' can proofread for you.  Hit that spellcheck button as many times as you like, but it won't catch everything.  Chance are neither will you, even if you read the manuscript ten times, by which time you are more likely to start picking it apart than focusing purely on spelling, grammar and punctuation.  A buddy can be more objective.
  • On that note,  a buddy can be a great way to get an extra opinion.  By finding a writing buddy who is also a writer/editor,  you will get more precise feedback on your work that from say, your mom or your girlfriend.
  • Share the workload.  If you are blessed with a full plate, and the job offers are still flooding in,  a buddy can be a great way to double your productivity.  Obviously, this is only as valid as your opinion of your buddy's writing talent and work ethic equaling your own, but if you struggling with deadlines, having a bit of help can be a godsend.  Likewise, they can help you out if you fall ill, or need to take some time off but don't want to lose a good long term client.  Whether you work with them directly,  or just pass along possible job leads, sharing is good.

So how do you go about finding a writing buddy?

  • Writing forums are a great place to start.
  • Freelance job sites will also list profiles of hundreds of writers for you to browse through.
  • Many cities are now offering collaborative workspaces, where writers can hire a desk and share an office with other writers.  It is a great idea if you enjoy a bit of community and want to separate work from home.

A word of caution:  don't dive in and pair up with the first writer that you find.  As with any new relationship it will take time to build trust and get to know one another.  You should also make sure that if sharing work that you have a good contract drawn up so that you both understand the relationship and what is required and expected from each party.

Other than that, go forth, buddy up, and have fun!