December 13, 2012

Working with a Ghostwriter on Your Memoir: Part One


When you set out to write your memoir, it can be difficult to know how things will go when working with a ghostwriter. Will he or she ask a lot of questions? Will he or she get your tone and style right? How much should you tell him or her?

If you hire the right ghostwriter, those questions become much easier. A good ghostwriter will spend a lot of time working and talking with you before he or she even begins to write. There will be many phone calls, e-mails, and meetings so you two can get to know each other. By definition, a memoir is a very personal piece of writing, and your ghostwriter will work hard to get a strong grasp on you and your story.

Thinking back over your whole life, whether you’re 30 or 90, can seem like a daunting task. Make it easier by working piece by piece with the ghostwriter. As a result, you will tell several versions of your story several times. The more detailed your retellings, the better. This will help your writer get the feel for the events, characters, and experiences in your life. Plus, when the ghostwriter knows all the ins and outs of you and your life, he or she will better be able to translate your experiences into words. In the end, you want your ghostwriter to feel as if he or she has lived life right alongside you.

When the writing begins, you two will continue to work closely to check the facts and the voice of the memoir. Memoirs don’t often require a ton of research (you, the author, are the primary source), but they do require you to look closely at things such as word choice, phrasing, and tone. Don’t be afraid to give your ghostwriter feedback if you feel the writing doesn’t sound like you—it’s the writer’s job to write as much like you as possible. As always, remember that ghostwriting is all about collaboration, and the more you and your ghostwriter can give to the project, the better your memoir will be.

Stay tuned for tips on how to make the memoir process easier for both you and your ghostwriter.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project