“Laura combines attention to detail with a relaxed, big-picture approach to the people and issues of a project. She uses both to set the stage for successful collaboration. I have enjoyed working with her very much.” – Edit Repak, Clear Financial, LLC
Often people ask me, “What do you do?”
I like to smile and answer, “I’m Laura the Friendly Ghostwriter!”
No one thinks that’s boring.
I love to write and am happiest when I have multiple projects going at once. Typically I have a few memoirs or autobiographies going, a nuts and bolts business how-to book and a couple of novels bubbling away on the burners.
When helping someone write their memoirs I focus on the overall message of the book first. I will not take on a story that is all doom and gloom, designed to depress the reader. I am interested in inspirational stories, which will uplift people. People can learn a lot from another person’s life story.
For nonfiction, I specialize in making complex subjects easy to understand. This involves researching a subject so well that I can then break it down and explain it to anyone with any background.
When I write fiction, my novels are very dialogue driven. I find that when I develop my characters, all I need to do is sit back and listen to them. So I guess you can call me a stenographer.
Recently I asked a few colleagues to join my business, forming writing teams to better serve more clients. That has worked very well. I have been able to expand Friendly Ghostwriter and utilize the niche expertise of others. After all, I haven’t been an attorney or professional chef…yet.
I did receive a degree in Civil Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona and worked for the Department of Water and Power in Los Angeles.
I have also studied chess for many years, playing in tournaments around the country. My highest national rating gave me the honor of being the top 35th woman player in the US.
From 1999 to 2001 I produced and acted in three feature films. They were super low budget and my characters were always quirky.
When the housing market was golden I became a mortgage broker, learning the ins and outs of the real estate industry. I loved helping people buy their dream homes.
In 2008 I founded Your Chess Coach with my husband, teaching children the wonders of chess. To date, we have taught hundreds of children to play. I love working with very young kids, breaking down the basics so that they can play the game (often beating their parents). Using that experience, I authored Chess Is Child’s Play, which is in its third print run.
So, consider me Laura your friendly ghostwriter, ready to help you with your project. Send me an email and tell me a bit about your project. so I can give you advice and direction!