The Ghostwriting Process
Why people hire a ghostwriter and the process of working with a ghostwriter.
I know there are some of you who don’t like to think about someone else writing your novel for you. But some of you want this, need this, or are just curious, so I’m going to break down my process for you. I want you to understand how a book written by a ghostwriter is still the author’s creation.
Authors seek ghostwriters when they don’t quite have the writing chops necessary for penning a book or when they’ve finished a draft and realize they don’t want to put in the effort to revise or rewrite the manuscript based on the feedback they received. Basically, they are just done with it and want someone else to incorporate the feedback from beta readers and editors.
I completely understand these authors. It takes a lot to write a novel. There are a lot of aspects of storytelling that are difficult.
An author may have an outstanding plot, but their characters are weak. Maybe they’ve written the whole book in telling-mode rather than a mix of showing and telling. Or maybe they have great characters, an awesome setting, but the plot is confusing.
In any case, the author usually excels at something but lacks one or two other important aspects. That’s where I come in. I fill in the blanks, remove confusion, create scenes, add setting. Whatever the story needs, that’s what I help with.
If the author is completely stuck with just character profiles and a basic idea for the plot, we work together to find solutions. We brainstorm, chat, email, and decide on a path forward that works for them and their story.
The ultimate goal is for the author to have a book they are proud of and can market to their audience.
For my ghostwriting service, I require my clients to have:
• A solid understanding of storytelling, character arcs, conflict, and character motivations.
• A plot outline.
• Detailed character profiles.
• Samples of their writing.
• Research for any real-life details included in the novel and the ability to research and return information I request within three days. (I do not research or fact-check.)
• The ability to meet for up to one hour a month to discuss the progress or brainstorm to stay on the right path.
They may also have:
• A complete or almost complete draft so I can pull from what they’ve written and modify it as needed.
• Pictures of similar settings, pictures of their characters or people who look like their characters, and period clothing (if necessary), to help me write these as they picture them in their head.
It’s important to have a solid understanding of storytelling. My clients should have this base knowledge. I want them to understand why I’m suggesting something without explaining how it fits into storytelling.
For example:
The author received feedback that their story is boring.
The author hears: Your story is crap.
I hear: The story could use more conflict.
After I read through the documents they’ve sent me, we meet and I make some suggestions for how conflict can be added. The author and I brainstorm solutions and come up with a plan for how to increase the conflict in their novel.
So, what does the process look like?
The Process
It’s long, but writing a book does take time, so stay with me.
1. We meet and discuss:
• your ideas and vision for your book
• your publishing goals
• your ghostwriting needs
• what material you have readily available
• your desired word-count range
• the timeframe you need the draft completed by
2. They send me either examples of their fiction writing that’s relevant to the desired manuscript or the first chapter of draft of the manuscript they want me to work from.
3. I will write a sample of 1000 words and send it for review and feedback in written form or a video chat.
4. Once we decide to work together, a contract will be sent for you to sign and an invoice for you to pay.
5. I’m sent all the relevant material the author has available.
6. I read through what I’ve been sent.
7. We chat again about how to approach the novel. (This may take multiple discussions while we brainstorm plot points, characters, and setting, etc.)
8. I will create a detailed outline for their approval.
9. They review the outline and let me know the adjustments they would like made.
10. I contact the author when I begin writing, so they know their book is underway, and throughout the process, so they know how their book is progressing.
11. We meet, when necessary, to brainstorm or you can schedule a chat to check in if you want, but no more than once a month.
12. Once I complete the first draft, I send the manuscript to them for approval.
13. If needed, I make minor adjustments according to the author’s notes, then send it to the author, and a trusted professional beta reader for external feedback.
14. After we receive the beta-readers feedback, we will discuss their feedback and decide on a revision plan.
15. I will revise the draft according to the author’s direction.
16. The author receives a second draft with the revisions we discussed during our meetings.
The second draft is when the service is completed. This draft should be ready for copyediting.
My clients receive:
· A well-written engaging story with a solid plot readers will enjoy, well-rounded characters readers will root for or against, and the right amount of setting to keep readers anchored in the scene.
· An updated outline of plot points that includes adjustments for new content. If there are multiple timelines, a detailed outline of the two timelines will be provided.
What’s the timeline for ghostwriting a novel?
That’s a bit tricky.
It’s a back-and-forth process.
I don’t know how long it will take an author to get their feedback to me. That depends on how much time they have and when they have it.
Writing a novel takes me six to eight months for the first draft. But that also depends on if I need more information from the author, but it’s usually about that long.
Most of the time, the revisions to draft one are minor, so it doesn’t take me longer than a few weeks to make the adjustments for the beta-reading stage.
I don’t know how long the beta readers will take. That depends on their schedules, but I get on their books as soon as I know when that draft will be ready for them.
The revisions based on the beta readers’ feedback may take a bit of time. Again, it depends on the author’s ability to read through the feedback and decide what they want to address, how long the author takes to meet me and brainstorm solutions, and how much revising is needed.
I have not needed to add characters, plot points, or any of the big-picture elements of storytelling. Most of the adjustments have been marginal.
As you can see, it’s a long and involved process, and the author is an active participant during ghostwriting. The story is still their story. They came up with the idea, worked hard on the outline and the character profiles, or even a draft of the novel. It’s their creation.
I have yet to have an author give up complete control over their novel. I don’t want it, anyway. It’s not my book. It’s theirs.
I’m the extra set of hands they need to see their dreams come true.
If you are interested in my ghostwriting service, DM me. I’d love to chat with you about your story.
Want more tips and advice? Check out these posts on my blog.
7 Story Structures to Know (and Disregard) - Guest post by Fallon Clark
Just being able to wrangle concepts and turn telling into an actual scene is a huge plus. It amazes me that more folks don't work with ghostwriters in a book-doctoring capacity just to see what can happen with an extra brain and a pair of eyes.
Kristin’s Description for Ghostwriting provides a valuable “handbook” look into the process and the service she provides. As a newbie to writing, this is definitely a must read! Thank You!