Dipping your toe into the partner pool

For the longest time I thought I only liked to write solo. But when I was trying to get into TV, my big break came when I worked with a veteran writer who needed my help on a pilot. Eventually we became partners. It was mainly just for that one project, but what I learned from that experience amongst many, many things was it was so much fun. No one could make me laugh like Judy and the fact we would work and take naps and then work again taught me not to take myself or the work so seriously. The script would get done. There were two of us. If one person was feeling wonky, the other would push. You just had to show up if your partner asked. It was uncool not to. 

Obviously though not all writing feels tailor-made for this experience. Novels, for example. Can't imagine Ernest Hemingway being a giggly partner. Nor O'Neal. Playwriting might not be the form either. Though I'm sure all forms of writing welcome partnerships. Why not? Who does it harm (but for someone's ego who needs to be an "auteur!"). 

And honestly, for me, writing works better with partners or even groups when it comes to TV and film and especially comedy.

Which is probably why I've been absent so long. Been writing with my partner. She's one of my best friends from way back. We began our buddyship in front of 30 Rock eating falafels during my lunch hour. I was just a wee little one. It was my first year out of college and I looked like a cross between Monica Lewinsky and an extra in a Pet Shop Boys video. But she liked me anyway and we became instafriends. Over the years, though both of us are very creative and have chosen careers that reflect that, we never fully embarked on a partnership in creating anything together. You know, it's like sex with your best friend - the risk of the friendship being ruined is huge. 

And yet here I am. So happy we started on this adventure. For many months we've toiled away - primarily writing remotely - on our screenplay. It's a unique experience for me. Unlike my first experience where I was brought in to help another writer, this is completely my partner's and my own. That feels strong to me. Like it really is our baby. Yet similar to my first experience, I would say the joy of synching up with another individual in such a specific way feels very empowering, gratifying and divine. 

So yeah - you might be a solo writer. But if you ever want to dip your toe into the partner pool, I have to say, thus far, I've really only experienced happiness from it. I've only grown as a writer and our friendship has grown as a result of the partnership, too. But most importantly, I've never laughed so hard. Laughing alone can kind of be fun. But laughing with your partner - that's the good stuff.

-CGD