Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Today I’m going to outline what I believe to be the traits that make a perfect ghostwriter.
But first, a big mea culpa. I was scheduled to publish this post last Tuesday, and the blog, the day, the task, completely skipped my mind. I was in Houston, deep into several days of intense meetings when I got a text from our fearless leader, Janet Grant. “Where’s your blog for today? It never appeared?” Gulp! Thankfully, Janet stepped into the gap, or gaffe, and supplied you a fascinating replacement. I’m taking her scheduled day today and will take my regularly scheduled day tomorrow to explore the ways you can begin to do collaborative and/or ghostwriting.
So what makes the perfect ghostwriter or the perfect collaborative writer? Remember, we are using the term AUTHOR for the one whose story is being told or the one whose words and ideas are being presented. I’m using GHOSTWRITER and COLLABORATOR interchangeably because most books can be written by either. Sometimes I just use the term WRITER as well. And I’m using a masculine pronoun just out of laziness not out of exclusion.
Let me just list some of the qualities the top collaborators/ ghostwriters display:
Professional— The perfect ghostwriter must be a consummate professional since he needs to handle multiple personalities, meet deadlines, write flawlessly and do it all while leaving his ego on the table.
Experienced Writer— Ghostwriting requires a high degree of skill because the writer must learn to see the world through the eyes of the author and then communicate that in the voice of the author. He must leave his own voice out of the equation. It takes a deft ability with the written word to do this well.
Mimic— The perfect ghostwriter is akin to the impersonators we love to watch. He needs to study the author right down to his literary mannerisms and then turn that into a compelling narrative.
Project Manager— Many writers picture only the interview process and the writing of the manuscript but that’s just a part of each project. Depending on what kind of book, the writer may have to deal with an agent or two, a publisher, the marketing team, family members of the author, others involved in the story, lawyers, and more. If the author is a famous person there may be a whole entourage of scheduling people and assistants and. . . well, you get the point. The ghostwriter needs to keep all plates spinning to get the project in on time.
Proposal Whiz— Unless the ghostwriter is assigned by the publisher, the first step to landing a contract for the book is a proposal. The ghostwriter is usually either contracted to do this first step before getting a contract for the whole book or he does it on spec if he’s found the project himself. He needs to be able to create a perfect proposal and first chapters in order to sell the project to a publisher.
Builder— The perfect ghostwriter needs to cast a vision for the book and be able to build the perfect framework for the story. Most likely the author will relate the content in a chronological fashion but that’s almost never the best way to tell a story or write a book. The writer needs to take all the material and craft the perfect structure.
Editor— If the author already has a book or a rough draft that needs to be turned into a salable manuscript the ghostwriter needs to be able to edit his words and pick and choose the elements that will go into the finished story.
Legal Eagle— The ghostwriter is responsible for securing all permissions– not a simple task. He needs to practically memorize the Copyright, Permissions and Libel Handbook. When the contract is signed with a publisher the writer and author agree to indemnify the publisher against any lawsuits. That means you are promising that all your ducks are in line legally. If the author’s Aunt Minnie comes along with a lawsuit out of the blue because you forgot to get her permission, it’s on you.
Mediator— Many times the writer will need to be the mediator between the author and the publisher or the author and others mentioned in the book. Maybe even the author and family members. It takes the patience of Job to handle all those who have a stake in the project.
Counselor— When the writer is interviewing the author, the real story is usually buried deep. The story the author is used to telling is usually of the sound bite variety. The perfect ghostwriter knows how to keep going until the real material is revealed. It often comes with deep emotional cost and the writer needs to be able to deal with the fallout. It may take several days before he can get back to further interviews with the author. He needs to know how to build a trust relationship and leave room for tough interactions.
That’s only a part of what it takes to be the perfect ghostwriter. Is it any wonder that the best collaborators are in high demand?
So now it’s your turn. What did I miss? At which one of these do you excel? Which gives you hives? Let’s talk.
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A great post, Wendy. Many readers who haven’t studied up on the industry don’t even know what a ghost writer is. I guess they think Newt, Hillary, and other infamous people have time to actually write a book.
A writer who can do all that work and be willing to not necessarily have his name front and center on the cover–man, that’s true humility. Not sure I could do that. The interviewing and digging deep would come natural for me since I studied journalism years ago and am fascinated with people’s stories. It seems to me a background in counseling would help also.
I was fortunate to meet Cecil Murphey this summer at Cedar Falls, and he told us he’s made a living ghost writing for 31 years. He truly is a humble, and also humorous, man. However, this is a type of writing I would never want to do. Hmmm, I’m sure I just jinxed myself now.
Good observations, Melodie. Yes, ghostwriting is not for everyone. It does take a real servant’s heart.
Melodie, I’ve read Cecil Murphey’s book Unleash the Writer Within. He spoke of the unique challenges that came with putting his name on the cover of a book, after having written on behalf of others for so many years.
That’s one I haven’t read, Jenni. I’ll have to add it to my list! Thanks for the suggestion. I do have Writer to Writer, which is what I believe he posts in small snippets on his blog. I envy his succinctness.
It would seem to me that a large part of aspiring to success in ghostwriting is being well-connected, and being able to maintain those connections – in industry, and in the principal’s circle.
It is reminiscent of the role of a personal scribe in a royal court; one must know what not to write as much as what one is to write.
Exactly.
Great example!
Ghostwriter . . . it even sounds scary. The biggest challenge would be telling someone else’s story with my skills but their voice.
My father could tell the story of his mother-in-law’s birth in the first person, as if he were the neighbor who saddled the horse on a stormy Christmas night to fetch the doctor (he’d heard the true account from an old farmer). I was too young to understand the concept of ghostwriting, but I recognized that the guy galloping over icy gound wasn’t quite my father–which made the story doubly fascinating.
Writing has the advantage of a do-over if it doesn’t sound right. I see much re-writing in my ghostly future.
That sounds like an incredible story, Shirlee! The way you summarized it makes me want to hear more.
By the time the doctor arrived, so had the babies–plural. The newborn babes slept in a laundry basket behind the woodstove.
It’s like the comedian who can do impersonations. It takes skill to take on another person’s mannerisms, voice, way of looking at the world. Ghostwriting is a complicated skill.
I have been asked to ghostwrite a memoir for an amazing missionary couple who have made a big impact in Nepal, but the commitment of time has led me to turn it down. I also think I am too impatient to work so closely to another person’s timeline and schedule. I fear I would risk a good friendship by making it a business relationship.
Sounds like you looked at the opportunity with eyes wide open. You bring up an important issue I missed– the dangers inherent in working with a friend.
Wow, this is enlightening, Wendy. I had no idea a ghostwriter wore so many hats. I think being the Legal Eagle would be the trickiest for me, and the most delicate would be to knowing how to mediate between the different people who have an interest in a project.
I know I have a lot to learn before I can consider ghostwriting. 🙂 Great post, Wendy!
Many writers forget the legal aspect and it is the same when writing your own nonfiction. It takes up a great deal of time.
I like the counselor part of the ghostwriter’s job. For some reason, God has seen fit to make me a friend with whom others trust their secrets.
But I doubt ghostwriting is in my future, because not being an American, I’d face even more legal issues if I did ghost for someone! Nothankyouverymuch.
You are a friend to all, Jennifer.
Aww, thank you, Shelli.
Good call, Jennifer. One of my goals in writing this series was to help writers decide in advance if they have the skill set needed for collaborative writing. Because once you have a published book people are going to approach you to “write my story.” We need to know in advance what that entails.
Thank you, Wendy.
One of the many things I’ve learned in the last year is that it’s okay to say ‘no’. I’m learning my limits, and it makes life WAY easier.
Wendy, who is the legal eagle for the normal author? Publisher? Agent? I’m clueless here, as you can see. But that legal role would definitely make me nervous. How big is the handbook?! 🙂
Leaving my voice out would take training, I’m sure. I interview and write people’s stories, but I’m always able to write my style. Learning another’s style and writing that way would be a big change.
This is a challenge I would definitely consider.
The author is always responsible for permissions and end notes. If things look iffy the publisher might run it through their legal department but the nonfiction author turns in all those forms when he turns in the manuscript.
I understand what you mean now. Thank you, Wendy.
I’ve been picked up by a communications group on a as-needed basis. They called with my first project Friday: ghost write a non-fictional for a United Methodist pastor. Not what I expected. I’m game, but I have no idea what to charge. I can’t really charge a church of 500 members $20k, which is a number I’ve seen tossed around on secular sites. But if it takes a year and at thousand hours that’s a bargain. I’ll work it out, but there seems to be no easy formula.
That’s a huge decision, Ron. I’ll pray for you.
The issue of fees is a tough one. Since this is your first maybe half the amount you’ve seen mentioned? You can always ask for part fee, part royalties if you think it may sell well.
Ok, I’m exhausted! (LOL)
It’s not for the faint of heart. 🙂
Your thoughts on what makes a good collaborator are right-on. But I must be missing something. I don’t understand the terms “ghostwriter” and “collaborator” being used interchangeably. To me, “collaborator” means a paid-to-write author whose name goes on the cover. That’s fine. Folks like Lynn Vincent have built an excellent, bestselling career doing this. And Lynn does it very well. But a true “ghostwriter” stays in the dark. No name on the cover or anywhere. The hirer takes all the credit as if he/she wrote the book. Which he/she didn’t. I don’t think it’s ethical. And I can’t see what it does for any writer’s career, except make some short term money. A writer’s career is built on name recognition.
We discussed this in my first blog on the subject at https://booksandsuch.com/blog/ghostwriting/, Brandilyn.
You are right that a ghostwriter does not enhance his career except among publishing professionals. A ghostwriter needs to have a servant’s heart– to realize that, for a number of reasons, he doesn’t need credit.
Ghostwriting is not about building a writer’s career with readers. It is hard work and no less important for the Kingdom than work ascribed to an author. As for “fooling the reader,” the truth is that the reader doesn’t care whose name is on the cover besides the author– the one whose words they want to read.
I disagree that it is unethical. The ideas, the words are not the writer’s. (If he is a good ghostwriter.) He doesn’t need his name on the cover any more than an editor who often does as much work on a writer’s manuscript as the writer. If it’s unethical for a ghostwriter, it’s unethical not to give a byline to the editor.
I don’t like the idea of being responsible for the proposal, permissions, and mediation between agents, publishers, family, etc. Guess that’s just because it’s the parts that I have the least experience though…good to know the ghostwriter does that, because I’ve always thought that part was on the author.
Actually, the author helps with this because many of the permissions are their people. The writer does have to organize all of it however.
Hi Wendy,
Great post! However, you left off researcher. That can be a big one if one if writing non-fiction or historical fiction.
As for what I excel at that would be the following: professional, experienced writer, mimic, project manager, and editor. I already have all of these traits mastered since I have been doing for way too long. I am so/so with builder. Everything else, I need to learn.
Ghostwriting is so much more involved than I realized. I’ve ghostwritten one book so far, but not sure I met all these criteria. Project management and editing are areas where I excel, but I struggle with mimicking.
Thanks for this helpful information. I look forward to more tomorrow.
Most likely No. 5. *Prophetic Wizard and part time on-line Jester.
*As long as I don’t have to be right more than half of half the time.
Well, Wendy, I don’t have any idea what you missed on this list, it looks pretty conclusive to me.
While I’ve ghosted quite a few magazine articles for people, I’ve never done a full length book which would require all of these different criteria. I’m not sure actually, that I could say I excel at any of them, but you’ve certainly educated me in the requirements for ghostwriting. Thank you!
In absorbing your list, to me the Counselor and Builder seem so important, to get the heart of the author’s story out to the public and form it in such a manner that readers seek to read it. Not sure that can be taught as much as be instinctive, or perhaps I should say the nature of the ghostwriter.
If it was a story you loved, if you lived close enough to the author that interviews could easily be done, and if you had a great agent and editor I think ghosting a book could make you proud and satisfied.