- Perspectives
Collaborative Writing and Community
In this series, we’ve explored the many ways writers exchange ideas, find co-authors, and connect with betas and editors—but the heart and support for it all is the writing community itself.
This time, it's all about writing communities—and why they matter now more than ever.
When we talk about collaboration, we're really telling stories about spaces, and the evolving ecosystems that writers create together. We’ve all been feeling a little… disillusioned by the internet lately, but despite the turbulence of the past few years, its legacy owes a greater debt to creative communities than to clickbait, misinformation, or even pr0n. Writing communities have always been places to connect, exchange, brainstorm, write, and branch off into wild new directions—and the connections they’ve forged have been responsible for the birth and transformation of content since the BBS era. Communities have seen the birth of new ways of collaboration, reshaping not just how stories are told, but how they’re defined, shared, and woven into the fabric of culture.
As we’ve discussed in earlier posts, ye olde trope of the solitary writer toiling away in isolation, their masterpiece popping fully formed like Athena from Zeus’s head, is a fast-fading myth. The reality is much more connected and collaborative than even we might have guessed. Without community, the idea of working alone in a garret doesn’t really work—the rent is too damn high, and sometimes you need a few trusted roommates to help tidy up and throw a party when you’re feeling low. It takes a village of like-minded creatives, where diverse voices, ideas and perspectives mingle and merge for a story to become something greater than the sum of its parts.
Creative communities are where co-authors, beta readers, and editors find each other—forming networks across platforms, fandoms, and genres; through sprawling social networks or intimate groups. Participating with thousands of writers or a couple of co-authors, writers learn from and support one another in communities, teaching each other how to write. They brainstorm plotbunnies, bounce ideas around, learn to let go of perfectionism and improvise. They have each other’s backs during a tough draft, and trade critiques that push a story to its final form. Go-it-alone is being replaced by a more inclusive environment that embraces collective knowledge and experience. Writers are participating in a culture of collaboration at pretty much every stage of the process, making the journey a little less lonely—and a lot more rewarding.
Being part of a writing community has encouraged me to push my boundaries and reach out of my comfort zone to find new ways to write, new tropes to include, and to hone my craft through more knowledgeable peers.
From Big Bangs to betas
What could the future of storytelling look like? Cue dramatic Trailer Guy voice: Imagine a world where stories aren’t churned out by giant impersonal studios, but are co-created by a dynamic community of writers, each contributing their own unique voice to the final work.
The future is already here. We know this because we’ve grown up in collaborative culture online, cutting our teeth in interconnected communities where creativity blurs the lines between writer and audience. In fandom, old stories are re-imagined and expanded while giving rise to new forms, and new hubs of creativity, all fueled by collective reciprocity.
Yep, we’re talking about fanfic again—because beyond our history, fan fiction is probably the most collaborative genre there is, with communities of writers, editors, readers, and artists all working together in a continuous cycle of collaboration and exchange. Fanfic is rooted in a profound sense of community and shared ownership, where services and ideas are exchanged freely, built on a gift economy of mutual benefit—for the joy of it. The origins of contemporary fan culture developed in an analog world of zines and snail-mail networks, with mimeographed fics consumed in tight-knit communities and conventions. The internet revolutionized fan culture, sort of mainstreaming it—though that’s a whole other essay.
When I've been a part of writing communities, I've felt my writing productivity has increased. I've felt more creative when collaborating with others, often brainstorming deeper and more meaningful stories than what had been originally planned.
Fanfic communities are also places where writing happens in real time. Unlike traditional genres, fan writing is more focused on providing communal frameworks for creativity—prompts, contests, and themed challenges are classic community events—as a million snowbound there’s-only-one-bed tropes (not to play favorites!) can attest. Big Bangs (and spicy kinkmemes) pair fan writers with artists, and fandom exchanges—where participants write for one another based on specific prompts—help nudge writers into new genres, styles, and themes, all while building connections and being generally fun as heck. Round-robin stories and collaborative memes prompt writers to fill in the blank, tag-you’re-it style—picking up the plot where others left off.
Through practicing the skill of analyzing others’ writing, I've become better at thinking through my own.
Since one of the hardest parts of collaborating is finding your first readers, writers share their WIPs with their communities in search of betas and editors, building confidence and experience in storytelling, while connecting with like-minded people. Feedback is the currency in a gift economy, and that mutual support strengthens the community—connecting is as much about learning to give back to the community as it is improving your work.
Being part of a writing community has encouraged me to push my boundaries and reach out of my comfort zone to find new ways to write, new tropes to include, and to hone my craft through more knowledgeable peers.
We're all in it together
On that note, writing communities aren’t just places to share finished work, they provide tools and feedback—and most importantly, support—every step of the way. Even for introverts, a long project can get to you—being trapped in your head with unruly characters who can’t figure out how to cross a room without explicit stage directions will kill anyone’s motivation. When the mid-point doldrums hit, and you’re cornered by concerned friends and family who don’t quite get why you need to disappear for hours, hacking away at a scene that refuses to come together—the weight of a messy first draft with no clear end in sight can be overwhelming. It’s incredibly easy to lose momentum without validation or encouragement.
But while you might not always need a partner or beta reader, the simple act of existing alongside others who understand the struggle can be enough to reignite motivation and help you reach your goals.
Writing communities help me look for people I’d like to work with—people who share views in terms of interpretation and what message we’d like to include in our writing.
Over the course of the series, we’ve explored the many ways writers trade ideas, find co-authors, connect with betas and editors—but the foundation and support for all these connections is the writing community itself. But how to find your fit? Different communities suit different needs, so start by identifying what you want:
- Feedback? Look for groups with beta reader exchanges and critique circles.
- Collaboration? Check out spaces with group events, and brainstorming threads where you can bounce ideas off others.
- Accountability? Look for writing sprints, progress updates, word count goals, and sharing completed work.
Group size is also super important to consider. Smaller, more intimate communities can be great for personalized support and nurturing deep ties, but they can be difficult to enter, and the pressure to participate can be amplified if there are only a handful of members. Big, boisterous groups offer a ton of variety and energy, but the noise can drown out individual voices—valuable conversations can get lost in the sauce, unless you slip into someone’s DMs. Once you’ve done the necessary lurking and found the vibe that suits you best, consider the kinds of events that make you excited to participate—most online groups host events focused on getting the words out and breaking creative blocks—timed writing sprints, flash fiction, drabble days, etc.—to write as much as possible within a given constraint, sharing progress and celebrating achievements.
Genre or fandom-specific groups can be fantastic for like-minded connections, but exposure to different genres, styles, and approaches can also broaden your creative scope. The eternal truth is that no two writers do things in exactly the same way—any community will be comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and will introduce you to ideas and concepts you might not have had the confidence to explore.
Through practicing the skill of analyzing others’ writing, I’ve become better at thinking through my own.
Since one of the greatest strengths of writing communities is diversity, engaging with others’ stories will sharpen your craft, and let you revisit your own techniques with fresh eyes. Even without direct feedback, analyzing different methods of plotting, character development, scene structure, etc., will help you develop a more nuanced understanding of your own writing, sparking new ideas and refining your inner critic—all within a supportive, hopefully judgment-free environment.
Talking stories through, with or without the intent to collaborate, is a big part of the process. Knowing the other writers are as enthusiastic about the project is important. It’s encouraging to see the many different ways there are to a finished story.
Connecting with other writers is about building relationships more than just improving your WIPs—the more you give, the more you’ll receive. The stories we tell are shaped by our communities, where every contribution has the chance to add up to something much bigger and more meaningful. And no matter where you are in your journey, there’s one out there waiting to help you grow.
Our stories, past and future
In Robert Graves' novel Homer's Daughter—one of John's favorites—a troupe of bards called the "Sons of Homer" travels from town to town, reciting Homer's Iliad. They function as a kind of low-tech Disney of their time, preserving and distributing the epic poem for each new audience. But these bards weren’t just performers; they were the intellectual and creative guardians of the story, ensuring the Iliad remained a living, breathing part of culture, each retelling evolved to suit its listeners, keeping the narrative vibrant and relevant.
Though the medium has changed, the message hasn’t—collaboration is constantly expanding the ways in which we create. From ancient myths and oral traditions to print and the internet, storytelling has been the means through which we connect and spread empathy, knowledge, and ultimately shape culture. It’s a process driven by our deep, innate need to communicate with each other.
We’re building Ellipsus in the spirit of collaboration, and throughout this series, we’ve been so inspired by the ways writers have shared their ideas, insights, and experience with us—continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling.And as the bards pooled their talents to keep the epics alive, let’s keep connecting to tell the stories that define us—who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed.
So get out there, connect with others (on the Ellipsus Discord, mayhap?), get writing—and see what new worlds we can create together.