Lazy Writing Partner

I have a lazy writing partner and it's bugging me

Don't worry, he's that lazy, he doesn't even have an internet connection, so he won't be on here.

When we write together, it works really well. We each come up with ideas, take them away and when we next meet up we dissect what each of us have come up with, then merge it into something that we both agree works well. There's no heirachy and each of us can take the lead on a particular idea and the other is able to sit back.

My main problem is that it is always me that has to do everything. I have to organise, write up, post, produce, pay for, basically if it wasn't for me, nothing would ever get down on paper/laptop. If it was left to him, nothing would get done.

I'm aware that if we went our separate ways, each of our work would suffer (Although his more, as it would never leave his brain) I've spoken to him and this is pretty much the deal, he's not going to change. We have an agreement that if/when any of our work gets us earning decent money, I will be earning a 60/40 share

Anyone else been in this situation. Any advice

Quote: Minty @ September 9 2009, 5:12 PM BST

Anyone else been in this situation. Any advice

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Only as the lazy one. No.

Lazy writersI hate that... it's not me is it?

*LOOKS AROUND AT ALL THE BCG'ERS HE'S MEAN'T TO BE WRITING WITH*

It is me, isn't it?

Look there was this thing, and then this other thing which made the first thing worse and...

Tell him to put down the Wacky Backy, wash the stains from his jeans and shoot him in the arse. (With an air rifle) That should do the trick. Once someone happily shot at me with an air rifle and the pellet came so close to my ear I could actually hear it whistle.

Cut him loose. You'd be extremely lucky to get anywhere without you both working at 100% capacity. If he's not writing he's not a writer.

Hmm, well you're better off than if he was demanding a 50/50 split, at least!

I'd get the 60/40 thing on paper - if you get something away he might change his mind about that.

Personally, I'd have a go at writing on my own (without telling him) and see how mutch it actually suffers.

If you can't do it without him, then you NEED him.
The question is can he do it without you??

Having said that I believe other comedy writing teams have a similar relationship ie the bloke on the typewriter and the one who wanders around spouting ideas. - Dick Clement & Ian Le Frenais spring to mind.

It's not Andrew Taft is it?

Who, the guy with the stains? or the guy who shot at me?

I have to say that I thought you were the funnier half anyway, forget Gary Hobbs and being with Josie Lawerence can only help

Quote: dannyjb1 @ September 9 2009, 5:31 PM BST

I have to say that I thought you were the funnier half anyway, forget Gary Hobbs and being with Josie Lawerence can only help

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Like it!

I got my nickname because I look like him (Apparently) I randomly met Cliff Parisi in a bar in Kings Cross a few weeks back. That was quite a strange moment.

I'm the Slagg that does most of the writing, planning, structure, edits, etc. SlagB is best in brainstorming sessions. But I prefer it that way. The benefit for me is more control over the finished product. Saying that, I wouldn't be the same writer without him. I'd have the same ideas but not new angles (which another member can provide).

Some partnerships work, not because both bring the same qualities and strengths, but because you bring different strengths. Partnerships are not about each individual being strong at writing, which sounds counter-intuitive, it's about support in hard times, friendship, sparking ideas, discussing amendments, etc.

Is the chemistry between you right? If it is, think carefully about ditching him as chemistry and compatibility in a partnership is paramount. The right partner makes for a stronger team.

Are you prepared to accept the limitations? If you can live with the idea that the situation is unlikely to change, then do. At least the pair of you have discussed this issue and survived. That says a lot about the friendship you have and more about a possible working partnership.

If not then you need to move on.

I have two separate comedy partners who I write with regularly as well as doing my own writing so I find this helps.

What I mean is when you've got writers block with one, go to the other and write with them. Leaving the first writer for a few weeks, when you come back you're feel a new lease of live and begin to write quite well. I tend to needless talk about ideas and development back and forth for months then one day it all flows with one of the writers and we have a show on our hands.

I'm the lazy weak link in a partnership of one.

Set deadlines and stick to them as closely as possible, it's the only way to get anything done. If he really won't play ball then cut him loose.

Or split things up like Slag says - meet the deadlines by doing the writing yourself and accept he'll just be someone to bounce ideas off. And maybe give you some feedback on a script if he's willing to sit down with you and go through it.