Collaboration is working together to achieve shared goals. My critique group is a good example of this. Without them, I wouldn’t be published, obtained necessary resources, or recognition. Take a look at other examples of collaboration:

Music:
Although relatively rare compared with collaboration in popular music, there have been some notable examples of music written in collaboration between classical composers. Bellini’s opera, I Puritani, was written and first performed in 1837. Two well-known contributors were Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. Musical collaboration also occurs when musicians in different places or groups work on the same album or song. Collaboration between musicians, especially jazz, is often considered the epitome of complex collaborative practice.

Art:
In towns big and small all across the country, you see artists sharing space and administrative functions. Some of these galleries have programs in experimental theater, literary performance, new music, and sound art. Financial savings is a huge advantage because of their shared space. They share equipment such as phones and Internet services, coordinate mailings, and develop a sense of trust and respect for each other. These galleries have become a support system for problem-solving and practical help, and have changed the concept of art into something that can be engaged in by more than one artist.

Education:
Collaboration in education brings knowledge and experience together by interacting toward a common goal in the best interest of students for their future success. Students achieve team building and communication skills and have the ability to practice real-world communication experiences. Schools and teachers benefit in a variety of ways when teachers work together, and there’s evidence that shows a positive relationship between teacher collaboration and student achievement. Unfortunately, our daughter had an unpleasant situation when she was a middle school special education teacher. She felt these kids were put into embarrassing situations by the principal.

Law enforcement:
I discovered this while researching my next book: Global law enforcement collaboration netted the largest synthetic drug takedown. The Project Synergy enforcement operations in thirty-five states targeted the upper echelon of dangerous designer synthetic drug trafficking organizations, including retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. The investigations uncovered a massive flow of drug-related proceeds to countries in the Middle East and seized more than 1,000 kilograms of synthetic drugs at express consignment facilities. The largest U.S. seizure of synthetic drugs, commonly marketed as herbal incense, bath salts, jewelry cleaner, or plant food, involved hundreds of law enforcement actions and nearly $15 million in cash and assets. It culminated last week with the collaboration of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other U.S. and international law enforcement partners. These drugs pose significant public health risks.

Since 9/11, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have worked collaboratively to detect and prevent terrorism-related and other types of criminal activity. This represent a willingness to share information among agencies and across all levels of government, which allow each organization to retain its own information and, at the same time, make it available for others to search and retrieve. Some of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services are: National Crime Information Center, Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), and Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

I’m a social person, just not a big joiner of groups. That said, ten years ago I joined a critique group when I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. The interaction has all been positive and I’ve made lifetime friends that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. When I finally got a book contract, I knew if I didn’t create some buzz in this social media age about my book, it wouldn’t sell. I learned a lot about myself after signing that first contract.

I learned getting social means interacting with people that create, share, and exchange information and ideas, so I called upon my daughter Carla to create a website for me. When someone mentioned I needed a Facebook page to build an online reputation, I signed up for one along with Twitter. I’ve since added Pinterest and LinkedIn but have done little with them for lack of time. By now, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I couldn’t just sit behind the computer and tap out stories people would love and want to buy? What an old fashioned idea.

I understand how important it is for creative writers to stay connected and reach a wide audience. According to stats, Internet users spend more time with social media sites than any other type of site, but there are many negative effects that stem from Internet usage. Due to the increase in social media websites, we now have a positive correlation between the usage of such media with cyber bullying, online sexual predators, and the decrease in face-to-face interactions. That’s a bit scary. I continue to be overwhelmed balancing social media with time to write, and why book three is still in the research stage.

Public speaking was not on my radar when Five Star released Twisted Vines in August 2012. It was the one thing I’ve always avoided, but when I was invited to join a book tour of the San Francisco Bay Area with Penny Warner, Ann Parker, and Staci McLaughlin, I happily accepted. What a surprise to discover I enjoyed talking about my book and answering questions from the audience. As more opportunities came my way, I became more comfortable and lost most of my shyness.

When I retired, I said I was going to experience one new adventure every year. I’ve been up in a balloon in Utah and in a glider plane in California, but I never anticipated becoming a published writer and willing to speak in public. I wonder what’s next.

When Ann Parker, author of the Silver Rush mystery series, invited me to drive up to Ashland, Oregon, with her, I jumped at the chance to see plays and do a little research for my next book. I intended to sit right down and write about our trip, home of the great Oregon Shakespeare Festival, when we returned, but life has a way of interfering. My daughter, Carla, lived in Ashland for eight years, but I hadn’t been back after she moved away. Ashland and Shakespeare inspired me to write Twisted Vines, the first in my Shakespeare in the Vineyard mystery series. Here’s the Angus Bowmer Theater:

Ashland is located in the south end of Rogue Valley and is the home of Southern Oregon University (where daughter Carla graduated from and where Ann’s daughter Devon currently attends). Some people need their coffee fix; I need my Lithia Park fix. It’s a beautiful and diverse park right in the middle of Ashland. Almost one hundred acres of forested canyon-land around Ashland Creek stretch from the downtown plaza toward its headwaters near Mount Ashland. It’s a great place to spend time between plays.

There are many fine places to stay in Ashland, but we chose Anne Hathaway’s B&B because it’s in walking distance of downtown and the theaters. A little on the pricey side, but well worth it. Included in our package were tickets, at seventy percent off, to My Fair Lady and the best seats in the house. We also saw King Lear, a contemporary approach to capture what it means to be an aging parent.

I’ve always said you can find the most unexpected pleasures off the beaten path. Explore Ashland beyond Main Street and experience art amid the history of the Railroad District. Discover unique galleries and artist studios, inns, cafes, music, a railroad museum, and even a metaphysical center near where a grand station once received passengers from distant cities.

After one trip to Ashland, you’ll want to return again and again. Take a look. It’s a very special place: www.ashlandchamber.com