Ghostwriters and Fiction: Can They Mix?

I’ve heard people ask, “Can a ghostwriter help me write a fictional story?” Yes, a ghostwriter can help you write a fictional story. The operative word there being help.

You see, the truth is, fiction writing can be tricky. Characters evolve as you go, plot points change, and sometimes the guy you thought would be the hero is actually the villain. Now imagine that you’ve been hired to write someone else’s story, one that they’ve conjured up in their head and one that still doesn’t have an ending. Sounds a bit like mind reading, doesn’t it?

Unlike non-fiction, which is supposed to be at least loosely based in fact, fiction is all a product of the author’s imagination. If you, the author, hire a ghostwriter and say, “Look, I’ve got this great idea for a fantasy novel…” he’ll probably cut you off right there. For many ghostwriters, writing fiction is too hard and too personal to do for a client. The issues of authorship and credit get so much more complex, and it can become hard to tell who has created what.

That being said, ghostwriters and fiction are not quite as bad as oil and water: they can mix. Rumor has it that from time to time James Patterson writes a detailed outline of a book, then hands it off to a writer who has a knack for his style and tone to write the first draft. How else could the man be turning out a book or two a month?

What I’m trying to say is that it’s not a lost cause. There are plenty of ghostwriters who will help you with a fiction project, but you will have to plan accordingly. Most fiction ghostwriters will require a thorough layout of your story, complete with characters, places, plots, themes, symbols, motifs…you get the picture. There needs to be more than just a spark for the novel in your head—your writer will need all the nitty-gritty details to get the story right.

You will also have to be prepared to work hand-in-hand with your writer to make sure the novel is turning out the way you want it to. Remember that you are placing a creation of your imagination in the hands of another person, and asking them to develop it and mold it to your specifications. That’s a pretty tall order. Try not to get frustrated if your writer changes things here or there or suggests a new direction for a character. If you want complete control over your manuscript, you might want to consider working on your own.

Be very careful when selecting your ghostwriter—make sure you two have compatible book tastes and will work well together even when you’re not in agreement. Your project won’t succeed unless you two can work past differences and keep moving forward. In the end you will have to decide if the story is one that needs a helping hand, or if it is a one-man project.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project

Case Study: The Business Professional

Working with a ghostwriter can be an easy and practical way for business professionals to create a book. Many people don’t have time to write, or feel they express themselves better in speech than in writing. Such situations are not atypical, and explain why so many business professionals, celebrities, and political figures choose to work with a ghostwriter.

Dr. Kay Potetz is a management consultant and has been conducting seminars since the early 1980s. Her qualifications include 25 years of management and administrative experience, a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Ph.D. She published her ghostwritten book, Take It Back: The Personal Power You Give Away Each Day in June 2012.

Her book, based on articles and seminars she conducted, helps readers find confidence and ease in all aspects day-to-day life. The Amazon reviewers say that the book is “written in a way that everyone can relate to,” which is another benefit of working with a ghostwriter. If your writer is a good one, he or she can synthesize a great deal of information and materials into a very helpful and interesting few hundred pages. Even scientific or jargon-heavy subjects can be made reader friendly when written the right way.

I spoke with Dr. Potetz to get her take on working with a ghostwriter. She provided us with some feedback about her experiences.

1. Why did you decide to work with a ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: Over ten years I’d written a number of articles that had been published and I needed someone to put them together in book form for me.

2. What were some of the benefits of working with ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: It was better than I anticipated. My writer kept all of her deadlines and provided me with excellent work. Also, she was quite amenable to any changes I wanted.

3. Who should consider using a ghostwriter?

Dr. Potetz: Anybody with limited writing time.

To learn more about Dr. Potetz and her book, Take It Back: The Personal Power You Give Away Each Day, visit her website at www.drkkp.com. 

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Working with a Ghostwriter Long-Distance

It is not uncommon to have a long-distance relationship with your ghostwriter. In fact, some authors and writers never even meet face-to-face. For some, it isn’t always necessary to spend a great deal of time with a writer, especially if you are working on a research-heavy or fairly straightforward book. (However, if you’re writing a memoir, face-to-face meetings are a must.) Many people prefer to conduct business via e-mail or phone calls; still others view technology as a barrier. No matter your preference, there can be challenges that result from working in separate spheres. Following the tips in this blog can help make the project run a bit more smoothly.

Communicate: The first tenet of a good working relationship is communication. If you and your ghostwriter can’t meet in person, your e-mails and phone calls become even more important. Both you and your writer should respond promptly to each other and in a detailed fashion. Always make your thoughts and requests clear and make sure your writer follows through. Below are a few ways to keep the lines of communication open:

·                  Set up weekly or biweekly phone calls. A talk on the phone can be more productive than exchanging e-mails or texts and is much more personal.

·                  Create status reports. Both you and the ghostwriter can keep each other updated on where you are in the project.

·                  Save e-mails. This way, you can always refer to conversations and maybe find a hidden gem or two.

·                 Try Skyping. Using Skype or Google Chat can serve as a virtual introduction and is the next best thing to meeting in person.

Reciprocate: If your ghostwriter is doing great work and staying on schedule (or, better yet, getting things done early), return the favor. Turn your work around quickly, offer thorough feedback, and pitch in any way you can. Your ghostwriter is trying to please a client, but both of you are working to foster a strong working relationship and creative collaboration team.

Relocate: OK, not really. But even if you live in L.A. and your writer works in New York City, do try to arrange at least one time to meet in person. You are trusting your ghostwriter with your book, and both of you deserve to meet and greet each other properly. Besides, a ghostwriter can get a better feel for you and your style of speech (and, thus, writing) when you two spend time together. If the distance is vast and you can meet only once, that’s all right. You will both feel good about making the acquaintance and will likely work together better as a result.

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project