- Adopt the person’s voice. The quicker you get under their skin, the better chance you have of telling their story successfully. Writing in someone else’s voice is one of the hardest ghostwriting tools to master, but the most crucial too. The trick is to listen. Let their voice wash over you. Listen to the way they talk, the phrases they use and the way they say things. Visualise how they would deal with certain scenarios; easier to do when you have got to know a client over a number of weeks.
- Listen more than you talk. During an interview, the only time you should speak is to ask a question or reflect back. The purpose of your question should be to draw specific information from your client.
- Do tons of research. Know the subject inside out. Make yourself an expert on the issues affecting your client’s life; be it abuse, domestic violence, breast cancer, and so on. Make yourself an expert on their interests and activities too. You need to write as if an issue has affected you personally, impossible to do when you haven’t got a clue.
- Be prepared to pester. If you don’t know something ask. You’re not the person’s best friend, but to do your job well you need to feel that it’s okay to call, email, text at any hour of the day or night (within reason).
- Draw up a list of deadlines. Break the book down into chapter deadlines and 60,000 words won’t seem as daunting. All ghostwriters have different methods of working. My preferred method is to show my client draft chapters as I pogress to ensure they’re happy with the direction and content.
This entry was posted on May 17, 2008 at 5:32 pm and is filed under Writing and Creativity with tags Ghostwriting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed
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