Running by yourself has its benefits. You can think about things. You work through a troublesome spot in your novel or poem. You connect all four of the books you’re reading, including Dracula and Writing Down the Bones.
The mind makes connections. Some of them are weird and have no chance of making it from the brain to paper to outside world. You let the thoughts flow unimpeded. They always lead to more fruitful soil from which some of your creations will spring.
That being said, running with a partner is good for you. You find your competitive streak. You practice the art of talking and running, something not accomplished without personal training. You notice new things or point out oddities to your mate—the form the willow takes in the dwindling light, the flight pattern of birds rising from the field’s surface.
A similar scenario plays out when you have a writing partner. You can accomplish a lot on your own, and you always should have an individual practice. You shouldn’t, however, neglect the power found in writing with a companion. A writing partner helps you stay focused. At times, you give each other a necessary break from the craft—there are days when what you most need is a light “run” and heavy talk.
A writing partner also instills the desire to perform better. You work on your craft outside get-togethers. You want to keep pace, if not pass at times—not to show your partner up, but to mince ahead a few steps and call back laughingly for her to catch up. A writing partner is and will always be many things: someone who can outpace you and offer constructive criticism; someone who can keep you company for a stretch of road; and someone who can wish you well and spur you on to do more as your writing—your feet—begins to fly.
Image: Nicholas A. Tonelli (Creative Commons)