Write

An essential aspect of writing effectively together is understanding realistic timelines for asynchronous writing and editing – otherwise morale can dip and it can be difficult to keep writing projects moving when inspiration is low. In order to establish that timeline, the team will need to first create and understand their co-writing workflow.

Sample Writing Workflow

1. Group members collaborate to develop an outline of major topics or research questions the group wants to cover in alignment with group goals.
2. Each group member takes on one (or more, as required) topics or sections to “own” for the draft round.
3. Each group member does their own research or interpretation of data and writing for their section’s first draft.
4. In a meeting or series of meetings, each group member has the opportunity to summarize what they wrote, raise questions they are left with, and take questions from the group on their work so far.

Holding review meetings where each group member has the opportunity to summarize what they wrote, raise questions they are left with, and take questions from the group helps everyone move forward. It also inspires deeper learning. These meetings are not rounds of close editing. They are early impressions and opportunities for authors to share their early barriers, and chances to give updates about how writing is going.