Know The Level Of Collaboration

“He does the work. I do the cleanup. Then we fight.” -Robert Gottlieb, editor, on his working relationship with author, Robert Caro.

“The medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium – that is, of any extension of ourselves – result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.” -Marshall McLuhan

“A book might be a solo act, but it’s often influenced by a great editor. Few of these professionals get the credit they deserve (and sometimes they’re called agents or spouses.)…When we set out to create, it helps to understand who are collaborators are and to choose them wisely. A well-trained AI, an insightful editor, an A&R person running interference–these are choices. Understand the medium and your resources before you begin.” -Seth Godin

Each artform has its own medium and with it, its own level of collaboration.

Making movies or plays are highly collaborative.

Painting, not so much.

Know yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Know the level of collaboration required by your desired medium.

Your project’s success (and your personal satisfaction) are wholly linked to your collaborators..

Therefore, choose wisely my friend.

P.S. – This great Seth Godin blog post.

P.P.S. – This phenomenal documentary, “Turn Every Page” about the relationship between the author Robert Caro, and his longtime editor, Robert Gottlieb.