On this day in 1787, the final draft of the US Constitution was signed – perhaps the last group writing project to ever truly succeed…
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
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Copywriting Beyond the Words :: The Freelance Writer’s Life
Comments 5
I could not agree more. Writing by committee never, ever results in decent copy.
You want me to come up with the goods? Brief me well, let me have space to work, deliver constructive feedback and listen to my justifications.
Do not take what I’ve written and debate every last word in some endless committee meeting. It just doesn’t work. Ever.
(Can you tell I’ve felt the pain of working in-house at some big companies?)
I second John’s emotion.
As a group project, it is important to note that the US Constitution was designed to assume there were flaws and mistakes, both in the document and in the people who wrote it. Although I can’t personally agree with some of its content, I do appreciate the impact that this “living document” has on the writing process. Not only does it allow you to make changes as necessary, it also reduces the amount of bickering in the committee process (I would think).
Too much about writing or editing by committee is the feeling that this passage will be written in stone. And it is, at least metaphorically. Once the newsletter is printed, there is no turning back. By saying from the start that not every word in the document is right, it gives the individual a greater freedom to bow to the will of the majority rather than argue whether your newfangled device is “state of the art” or “cutting edge”… In fact it strengthens the premise of the document when the individual can prove its flaws by pointing to a passage the individual disagreed with before signing.
That in my mind is the real success of the document.
Of course the other cool thing about the US Constitution is the fact that there is a wicked multi-coloured treasure map on the back, only legible while wearing Franklin’s specially-designed 3D glasses…
~Graham
Even though it was reviewed and revised as committee, it still is strongly the work of one hack writer from Virginia. Tom something. Even the other hack writer – and publisher – from Philly simplified some of the eloquence. :)
Seriously though, if the John Adams bio is accurate, it struck me that the Jefferson/Franklin collaboration reminded me of, bear with me, Lennon/McCartney. The counterbalance of sensibility and perspective made the writing and music great.
Maybe 2 people can write a great piece. 3 or more? Total crap.
Oops — was watching Jeopardy! and realized I mixed up my Important US Documents. Not sure what is on the back of the Constitution — it’s the Declaration of Independence with the cool FX.
Or so Nicolas Cage would have us believe…
~Graham
I can see now the “group” writing concept is much beloved and embraced by my readers.
As for me, simply writing about it has brought back the nightmares – the long-buried memories of one of the alltime great high-tech taglines (not my idea, sadly) that was within seconds of being chosen before a committee member put forth a hoary cliche thought up by her… nine year-old daughter.
Oh, the humanity.
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