So how does ghostwriting work, anyway? Let’s say I’m going to write you an article and it’ll appear in FastCompany or Forbes. Most people assume that I’d require a properly organized outline and several research sources in order to get started. In fact, it rarely happens this way. In my experience, the process is usually pretty blurry at the beginning, and that’s fine. The first part of my job as a ghostwriter involves me helping you bring clarity to your ideas. Once the narrative is clear and we’ve got your ideas organized properly, I can write them into an article, post, chapter, etc. that’s fit for publication. The exact way this happens, depends on you and your thinking style.

Good writing is highly organized thinking, captured in words. There are many different kinds of thinkers in the world, and an experienced ghostwriter can massage the genius out of any number of client-types, who communicate in various ways. Some clients are phone people. Some are email only. Others require face-to-face meetings. Lots of my clients are super busy, some of them are fairly overwhelmed; all of them are smart, motivated and doing interesting work.

Here are just a few of the types of clients, I help. See if you can recognize yourself:

I’ve got it all right here, scrawled on napkins…
These clients are usually highly creative and dimensional people, who are full of whimsy but sometimes a bit scattered. They tend to have lots of half-formed ideas that they’re extremely excited about. They work from a place of inspiration and often need help fleshing out and organizing what it is they’re trying to say. I start by having them take photos of their napkins and email them to me. Yes, I’m serious. Next, I transcribe the inspired napkin data and in doing so, begin to get an idea of where the narrative nuggets lie. I also start to get a feel for my client, via their handwriting, the flow of their ideas, even the napkins themselves tell a story. I create an outline and encourage my client to plug in further details and connections, which will dimensionalize and clarify the content further. From there, I draft and re-draft until we’ve got a publishable piece. Napkin clients are my favorites. Their free-form thinking style allows for a lot of cross-pollination in our collaboration. The enthusiasm and gratitude they show at seeing their ideas crafted into logically organized, compelling writing, always makes my day.

Could I take you to dinner?
You like to hear yourself talk. Don’t worry about it, I like listening. I’ve found that generally speaking, talkers tend to be averse to the written word. Maybe you’re dyslexic or just don’t like reading. It’s fine. I love being taken to dinner. I enjoy all kinds of foods. My sense is that these clients become inspired by hearing their ideas spoken aloud. It’s invigorating, as if by saying the ideas out loud, they become real. My job is to absorb and translate the ideas into great writing. Students of literature learn how to do a “close reading” of a text. With my talker clients, I do a “close listening”. I’m scanning for data, sure, but I’m also gathering information about the tone, scale, and flavor of a piece. I take notes. I enjoy yummy food. I wave my chopsticks around a lot because it helps me metabolize your thoughts. In telling me your ideas, face-to-face and having me ask lots of questions, you’re reminded of even more cool stuff you wanted to include in your piece. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the Mu Shu. In any event, it’s synergy plus food. Yes, you may take me to dinner.

Can I send you something I’ve written that’s terrible?
These clients are often plagued by the notion that they’re crappy writers. Many of them have always felt this way. It may be that somewhere along the line, they were told as much by a teacher or mentor. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not, but the main function of their believing they’re crappy writers, is that their writing is, well… crappy. Who knows how they’d do if they believed in their ability to write well? And the thing is, this client’s writing is usually not all that bad. With a bit of practice I bet these guys could write spectacular stuff, but I love helping, so I’m happy to work my editorial magic and turn their writing into material that hums and shines. If you’re one of these types, don’t be shy. I’m sure your writing is fine, and together we can make it as brilliant as you.

For more information about the ghostwriting process or to chat with me about working together, contact me here.

Next week, I’ll talk about voice, and how it is I’m able to write in yours.