This is a guest post by freelance writer Kimberly Crossland.
Did you know that you don’t have to be a writer to write your own book? You probably already started on your masterpiece, but the time it takes to get your thoughts, story, or ideas out on paper is torturous. Now it’s time to find a ghostwriter to help you finish your story and get your book in print!
Some of the most well-respected, big name authors use ghostwriters to perfect their writing. The key to using a ghostwriter for your book is to find the right person for the job.
That can be a job in and of itself.
You need to find someone who can transform your ideas into a work of art while maintaining your style, tone, and voice. Skilled ghostwriters know how to do this in a way that makes it seem like you sat down at a coffee shop and wrote your book without the help of anyone.
As you begin your search for the right ghostwriter to help with your book, here are five ways to choose the perfect person for the job.
Trust Your Instinct
Your story and your ideas are yours. They come from experiences you’ve had, and lessons you’ve learned. Instinctually, you will know what qualities in a ghostwriter can relate to and reflect those experiences in a story that is compelling, but still sounds like yours.
When you begin to sift through the profiles of available ghostwriters, trust your gut to guide your decision. If someone doesn’t seem quite right for your book, continue to search until you find someone who does. As an author, you need to be confident with your ghostwriter’s abilities to convey your message as well as your tone in a way that sounds like you were the person behind each word.
Start Small
The first step of your book project, where you had over what you already have on paper, and what you want your ghostwriter to help you finalize is overwhelming. You might worry about what they will come up with, if they really understood what you were looking for, or if they can feel internally what it is you want from your book.
If you’re not sure about taking the first step, it is a good idea to start small. Give your ghostwriter a chapter to write first. This will give you a solid indicator of what you can expect from the person you choose, and how the rest of your book will play out.
Ghostwriters Are Not Mind Readers
If you’re writing from the heart, you live, eat, and breathe your book project day in and day out. When you had your book project over to a ghostwriter to help you complete, the book is completely new to them.
Keep in mind that your ghostwriter will do the best job they can with the information provided. They cannot read your mind to try to figure out what it is you want out of your story. For the best outcome, it is critical that you give them as many details as possible. Doing so will ensure that all of the important points will be included in your first draft, making the process faster and easier for everyone involved.
Revision Requests Are Allowed
As Ernest Hemingway said, “Write Drunk. Edit Sober.” Even the best authors make revisions to their work – many times, more than once! Your writer fully expects to have some revision requests come their way when they hand over their work to you. If something doesn’t sound quite right, don’t hesitate to ask your ghostwriter to change it. You won’t offend them, and you won’t hurt their feelings.
Give Constructive Criticism
It’s tough finding the right ghostwriter for the job. When you find a good fit, it is important that you continue to build upon that relationship so that the job of working with your new ghostwriter becomes easier as they go.
When your writer hands you the first chapter of your book, give them some constructive criticism. This will shape how they write for you when finishing your book, and it will save you both in the long run. With this feedback, your writer will improve and you will both get more out of the time you spend working together.
Finding the perfect writer is not easy. If you have someone you enjoy working with, finishing your book will be easy and fun. With these steps, you can shape the book writing process and make it more enjoyable for both you and your ghostwriter to create a work of art.