Synergy

Sometimes the whole really can be larger than the sum of the parts. On many levels.

I find it to be true in my working relationships. Editing with Dragon Moon Press has introduced me to some fantastic people with whom I’ve had instant chemistry and rapport. Delving into something so creative and personal together is often a business transaction, but sometimes it becomes a bonding experience. Someone has let me into their head, to play around and explore there, to take detours down unmarked roads, and sometimes the journey of discovery leads to unexpected places. Some of the people I work with are not only clients and colleagues, they become valued friends too.

I find synergy in physical presence. Write in a room with someone else who’s writing, and there’s a chance that talking and distraction will prevent any work from getting done. But there’s also a chance that their discipline will motivate your weak moments, you in turn will motivate them, and without more than a sentence passed now and then or a curious glance over each others’ shoulders, you’ll accomplish more than you accomplish alone.

Creative energy and inspiration are contagious. Maybe knowing that you have the safety net of a person to bounce ideas off of gives you the confidence to work out solutions on your own. Maybe seeing someone else’s output just motivates you to keep up. Whatever the reason, it’s a thing of magic when it clicks.

There is also synergy in groups. My company is not just a technical staff plus a stable of authors. It’s a collective bank of ambition, determination, creativity and innovation. The amount of energy you put into it is what you get out of it, and a leap forward for one of us, helps us all.

Together, we can make great things happen. This is an exciting time. Lots of potentials are in the air, and good things are coming.

And we, every one of us, can be part of the driving force to make them possible, if we have two things: the ambition to reach for the stars, and the generosity of spirit to hold the ladder steady for each other.

Thanks to Gwen Gades, Erik Buchanan, Chris Jackson, Marie Bilodeau, the Ad Astra staff, Ed Greenwood, Phil Rossi, and all my Dragon Moon associates and colleagues current, planned, and future, the past seven days have been hugely inspiring for me. I hope you all can find this same energy too, now and forward.

Tagged as: writing