The Art of Collaborative Storytelling: Chain Writing, Round Robin, and Literary Partnerships
When we think of writers, we often imagine a solitary figure hunched over a desk, alone with their thoughts. However, throughout literary history, there is a rich tradition of collaborative storytelling that challenges the lone creator myth. Whether called chain writing, round robin, or collaborative fiction, these approaches have produced fascinating works that blend multiple voices into cohesive narratives.
What Is Collaborative Fiction?
Collaborative fiction occurs when multiple authors share creative control of a story. This can take several forms:
- Round Robin Writing: Authors take turns writing sections or chapters, usually following a predetermined rotation. Each participant adds to the story, building upon what came before while maintaining some structural framework.
- Chain Writing: Similar to round robin, but often more improvisational. Writers contribute sequentially, with each adding their own twist before passing to the next contributor. This method can lead to unexpected plot developments and creative surprises.
- World-Building Collaboration: Authors share a fictional universe but may write separate stories within it. This approach allows for individual expression while maintaining consistency across a shared setting.
The Collaborative Process
Collaborative writers' methods vary tremendously. Some groups alternate writing single sentences, while others handle entire chapters or character arcs.
For example, when Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman wrote "Good Omens," they primarily wrote separate plotlines and then collaborated more intensively during revision. In contrast, John Green and David Levithan, authors of "Will Grayson, Will Grayson," agreed on just one plot point—that two characters would meet and significantly impact each other's lives—before separately writing their respective characters' chapters.
Most collaborative projects require clear parameters: Will authors work on sentences, paragraphs, or chapters? Will everyone have access to the entire manuscript or just the preceding section? Will there be a predetermined plot outline or a more organic development?
From Our Collection: Bobbed Hair (1925)
As a reprint publisher dedicated to reviving forgotten literary treasures, we're particularly excited about our edition of Bobbed Hair (1925) [Available at Amazon], a perfect example of round robin storytelling. This unique collaborative novel brought together twenty prominent authors of the Jazz Age, each contributing one chapter to create a cohesive yet delightfully unpredictable narrative.
The story follows Connemara Moore, a young heiress pressured to choose between suitors, who flees a costume party (dressed as a nun) and hitches a ride with a mysterious stranger. What follows is an adventure filled with romance, comedy, and intrigue—all crafted by the combined talents of literary luminaries including Carolyn Wells, Dorothy Parker, Alexander Woollcott, and Louis Bromfield.
What makes Bobbed Hair especially fascinating is the behind-the-scenes coordination required to keep the story on track. As Marguerite Aspinwall, who served as the project's "liaison officer," explains in her foreword:
"The idea of producing a composite mystery novel of twenty chapters, each chapter to be written by a well-known author, originated with Mr. George Palmer Putnam; but after he had interested the twenty authors of his choice in the idea, it naturally remained for one person—quite outside the actual collaborators—to keep a watchful eye on the trend of the story."
Aspinwall's role involved "picking up lost clues, keeping track of geographical positions and points of the compass as the story moved, and seeing that enthusiasm didn't lead to the cast's growing overcrowded." Each author received carbon copies of all preceding chapters, allowing them to build upon what came before while adding their own creative twists.
The collaborative process wasn't without its challenges. Aspinwall recounts amusing incidents where authors accidentally created continuity errors, such as forgetting that characters who fled a costume party would still be wearing their costumes during subsequent adventures. These moments required careful coordination and sometimes creative problem-solving.
Initially serialized in Collier's magazine before being published as a book and adapted into a silent film by Warner Brothers, Bobbed Hair is a testament to collaborative fiction's creative possibilities.
Notable Historical Examples
Collaborative fiction has a longer history than many realize:
- The Floating Admiral (1931): Members of the Detection Club, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G. K. Chesterton, wrote this detective novel. Each author wrote a chapter, building on the previous ones without knowing the ultimate solution to the mystery. Interestingly, each contributor also submitted their own solution in a sealed envelope, which was published at the end of the book.
- The Whole Family (1908): This novel took an innovative approach. Twelve authors each wrote a chapter from the perspective of a different family member. William Dean Howells contributed the first chapter, followed by authors including Henry James and Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Each author maintained their distinct style while advancing a unified narrative.
- Naked Came the Stranger (1969): Though created as a literary hoax to critique the publishing industry, this novel was written by 24 journalists who each contributed a chapter. They aimed to prove that sex-laden, poorly written novels could become bestsellers—and sadly, they were right.
- Caverns (1990): Led by Ken Kesey (author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"), Kesey and 13 graduate students in his creative writing class at the University of Oregon wrote this novel.
Modern Collaborative Fiction
The internet has revolutionized collaborative writing, making it easier than ever for authors to work together across distances:
- Wu Ming Collective: This Italian literary collective has produced numerous bestsellers since 1999.
- "In Territory Nemico": A remarkable novel with 115 authors coordinated through the SIC (Scrittura Industriale Collettiva) project, which established a codified methodology for collective literary production.
- Alice Campion: The pseudonym for a group of Australian women who wrote commercially successful novels, including "The Painted Sky" (2015) and "The Shifting Light" (2017).
Benefits and Challenges
Collaborative writing offers unique advantages:
- Diverse perspectives and voices
- Shared workload
- Creative problem-solving when plots reach dead ends
- Built-in editorial feedback
- Community building among writers
However, challenges exist:
- Maintaining a consistent style and voice
- Resolving creative differences
- Managing copyright and publishing rights
- Coordinating schedules and deadlines
- Dealing with uneven contributions
Conclusion
Collaborative fiction challenges our romantic notions about solitary genius and reminds us that storytelling has always been a communal activity. From detective novels of the 1930s to modern digital experiments, these projects demonstrate how multiple voices can create something none could achieve alone.
Whether you're a writer seeking new creative experiences, a teacher looking for engaging classroom activities, or simply a reader curious about literary partnerships, collaborative fiction offers rich territory to explore. In sharing the creative process, we often discover unexpected strengths in ourselves and others—and isn't that what great storytelling is all about?
What collaborative writing projects have you participated in or enjoyed reading? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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