Think-tanking is for a group what brainstorming is for an individual. A couple or group of people get together and come up with abstract thoughts and ideas about a given project, or they might even have to decide what the project will be. Either way, when it comes to writing, a collaborative activity is to get together and make decisions about a writing project and what its outcome should or must be.
Storyboarding is another activity for a group writing project. The group uses different art materials or supplies, such as chalk and a chalkboard, construction paper, whiteboards and markers, index cards and multicolored pens or pencils. The items are used to draw graphical representations of the ideas they want to see included in the finished product. The pieces are moved around, similar to a jigsaw puzzle, or linked together with arrows and lines until they begin to make a cohesive whole. The thought behind this group activity is to make relationships between ideas make sense.
Imaging is especially important when working as a team. It is important for everyone to imagine what the finished project will look like in order to get a better sense of what needs to be done and how. Imaging also involves visualization techniques, such as imagining the audience's reaction to the finished project.
Dialogue can, but does not have to, be a part of the collaborative writing process. Putting two people in an imaginary scene together and watching them ad lib or think light on their feet (much like watching an improvisation act in a theater) can pull out many different kinds of thoughts and ideas for a writing project. It helps to watch the dynamics between two or more persons who might trade any exchange of ideas from threats to insults to understanding to terms of endearment ("love chatter"). It is reading out loud, for groups.
Part of a collaborative writing effort is finishing it up. After all of the ideas, dialogue, thoughts and possibilities, as well as probabilities, are on the table, the group works together to decide on the total package and how to end it. It might be best to come up with several different endings or scenarios for a writing project so the group can decide which angle and ending is the best way to handle the topic or subject. Newspaper and magazine editors often meet with the writing staff on a daily basis to discuss the next issue before assigning stories to individual reporters or to a group of journalists who could be working on a series together.