What Ghostwriting Method Is Best for You?
How do ghostwriters work? What is the best ghostwriting method? What is the ghostwriting process all about? I hear these questions a lot and would like to address them for you.
There are a variety of ghostwriting methods I use when helping someone write a book or a series of articles. I select the process based on what the author needs and how developed his idea might be. After all, in the end, my client is my writing partner, and each relationship is quite different.
If you’re interested in hiring me, please pop me an email and tell me which ghostwriting method makes the most sense to you.
Ghostwriting Method 1: Your ideas, my words
The most common request I get is to write a book based on a rough sketch or outline of a book concept. The author has ideas, but hasn’t had the time to form the words. After all, writing fifty thousand words is time consuming!
In this case, I take all the written material they’ve compiled and interview the client. Then I write based solely on that information. I will often supplement chapters with research data where needed as well.
Method 2: Your ideas, your words
This option is surprisingly rare. Most people who have never written a book don’t know how to structure their ideas or material into a complete manuscript. They also have trouble communicating their thoughts so that others can understand them. And while some are able to write, most don’t have the time, which is why they’ve come to me.
However, there are times when a client has found the time to write but will submit pages to me to be rewritten. I use their words but restructure the flow and fix any other issues the author has been struggling with.
Method 3: My ideas, my words
This option is also rare, but once in a while a client will give me a broad topic and a few scattered ideas, and asks me to provide all the rest of the material. I know it may sound strange, but if the topic is within my scope, I can write an entire book based on my knowledge. However, the book still belongs to the client – it’s their idea, they are the author.
In this case, I still interview the client to get personal knowledge or stories to add in. This is crucial in ensuring that the book is truly theirs.
Method 4: Researched ideas, my words
One common request I get from clients is to write a book or series of articles about a specific topic, often about which I know very little. Fortunately, it’s extremely easy to do research. You can learn about practically anything online using the Internet.
I like to ask my clients to provide websites they recommend, so that I follow their philosophy and can work from accurate data on their niche market. Once I have the starting point, it’s easy to navigate through the rest.
I have a lot of experience working with clients using these different methods. Some even use a variety of methods from one project to the next. Each manuscript has its own challenges, but in the end we always produce a good book that communicates well to others!
Additional articles you might find helpful:
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter?
It’s Good Business to Write a Book
What Do I Need to Start with a Ghostwriter?
What Is the Difference Between a Ghostwriter, an Editor, a Proofreader, and a Publisher?
Hi Laura. I’m still hoping to meet up with you for coffee one day soon!!
Hi, there! It’s good to hear back from you! 🙂 I’d love to chat when you’re ready.
I HAVE A CLIENT THAT WAS A VERY FAMOUS CELEB AT ONE TIME WITH THE OHIO PLAYERS THAT NOW WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THE JOURNEY. HE IS THE ONLY LIVING ORIGINAL MEMBER AND WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE OHIO PLAYERS STORY. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Wow, how exciting! I’ll email you privately. Thanks for reaching out!
Dear Laura,
Am in process of Authoring a chapter in a Compilation Book… and wanted to thank you…
My delimma was that I have what will be a future full length book masquerading as a single chapter… When I told the Editor that I had 6000 words instead of 1500 she simply said, you need to hire someone to help you with this…
I want to thank you for your pricing information and for the gifts of self you offer…. will definitely keep you in mind… TY for your priceless information!
Jo Ann
LinkedIN: Jo Ann Goldsmith / Design Branding Expert / MADISON AVENUE DESIGN WITH SOUL: Exceptional Advertising, Logos & Inspired Illustration
Dear Jo Ann, You are very welcome! I am happy to help. I’ll email you privately and see if we can work together! Thanks! Laura
I have a whole lot of ideas to write about. I have always wanted to write a book about my life, which I think would be very inspiring for people like me, whom have found themselves in many different situations and yet have came through it. I am a recovering addict, that has had an spiritual experience. I once weighed 80 lbs, homeless, bald headed with a needle in my arm, and today, I am about to graduate with my BA. Im a home owner, business owner, and mother of 4. 3 kids which whom I gave away in my addiction. I really feel like if I could get the message out there, it would really help save some souls. Would you be interested in helping me get started, and if so how we do that? Glad I found you! Thanks in advance..
Wendy
Hi, Wendy! Thanks for writing! I just sent you an email and would love to help you.
Hi Laura
I am sitting here waiting on the snow storm to arrive. During this time the strangest thing came to my mins, find yourself a ghost writer. I am 53 years old and I have wanted to write inspirational books for years. I have attended online writing classes, received great feed back , but due to my ADHD I can not sit still long enough to write a complete book, without another story idea popping up in my head.
I have one book that I wrote called Georgia a let a few friends and critics read it and they said I need to get it published, but I never finished it. So what I have done and stopped was write a few Inspirational essays on Hubpages. To my surprise I picked up a few followers but again remaining consistent is my biggest battle.
I have stories brewing inside my head I want to share these stories as I really feel they will inspire and help other woman. Most of what I would be writing is things I have experienced throughout my life time. I also have stories based on things that just come too me. I would love to speak with you to see if you can help me follow my passion and dream to be a writer or just share my creative ideas and stories.
It was good to chat with you! I hope I was of some help to you!
Hi Laura, Thanks so much for sharing. I have an idea dor techincal subject let’s say Car industry in Africa. I can’t write the techincal aspect so i need somebody to help me. What should I do? Thanks in advance.
Hi! I was sorry that I couldn’t be of more help to you. I wish you luck and success with your project!
Hi Laura,
I am so excited that I found you online. I am a newly launched business owner who is seeking assistance. Your website is a great resource. I have a request to write a book for a young lady. This is my first big project and it’s a little scary! I need to put a contract together. Attorney upfront fee to do contract is not feasible at this point so I am extracting information from the internet. What advice do you have for me?
Thanks for reading my Message.
Hi! I wrote you back privately, but wanted to address your post here as well. The contract isn’t an easy document. I started with a jumbled mess and finally hired a lawyer to help me iron one out. I’d highly recommend finding someone to help you sort through this area. I know it’s pricey, but it’s well worth the money! Good luck!
I would like to discuss the possibility of you writing my husbands and my life story. It’s pretty intense but I feel it could impact the world especially where it is now…It would be a story of trial and tribulation at the deepest level. If interested please contact me.
Dear Amber,
Thanks for writing! I wrote back privately and look forward to hearing back! Thank you for reaching out!
I have written a few odds and ends and have much material, but haven’t a clue how to put it into a finished project, possibly my memoir.
I am a 77 year old woman, married for 59 years.
My husband and I had four birth children and adopted eight more so we raised twelve. My husband was in the Air Force and served in the Vietnam war as a fighter pilot. During his service we lived in Tripoli, Africa for three years. I am the daughter of a Mexican father and Spanish mother
which gave me an interesting background. While parenting children I went to school and got my bachelors degree. I have traveled extensively for pleasure and including some medical missions as a Spanish language translator. I also took my adopted daughter from India back to India to meet her birth family. Anyway, help, there is lots more!
Wow, Corinne, what a life you’ve lead! I just popped you an email and look forward to hearing back. I hope that I can help you!
Dear Corinne,
I’m definitely intrigued by your story! Wow, what a life you’ve lived. I just wrote you privately and look forward to hearing back!
Hello Laura,
I have a very interesting southern tale. It is about my life of upper middle class privileges in the south with a political angle that includes jail, morality, secrets that the south loves to hold on to. I have been wanting to do this for many years and find myself in the place where I think I have time. Can you contact me?
S Pace
Thanks for reaching out to me! I will write you private to find out more. It sounds like an intriguing story!
Hi laura,
Not sure how to start here. People have been telling me for years I need to write a book but I’ve always felt I need to complete my journey before I start telling my story. But now, it occurs to me that the journey continues so maybe I should figure this out. I actually have written quite a bit in my 49 years of life. I’ve written screen plays and short stories and started some fiction books more than a few times. But now I’m stumped, I’m married and have 7 and 4 year old girls and no time.
I have Tourette’s Syndrome and have had some interesting, scary, funny, enlightening moments throughout my life because of it. My wife and I were on the Dr Phil show back in 2006 to discuss life with TS but it was actually quite a let down….Not a fan of the show anyway. How does this work? I know that you do this as a career so of course its about the money, but, I really would like to find someone that takes my Story as their own….maybe more of a collaboration….I don’t know. What is step 1.
Dear Craig,
Thanks for reaching out to me! I wrote you privately yesterday and look forward to hearing more, so that I can help.