HELPING HANDS, MINDS and HEARTS

Part II

Did I put the cart before the horse? A current client just suggested to me that defining the work of a ghostwriter would be a big help to other people seeking assistance. SO…here goes…

• First…we are writers who enjoy working behind the scenes FOR our clients. We are quite comfortable to see the client’s name appear on the book and it is our client who receives all the credit (and copyright) to the material we produce for them.
• Ghostwriters are expert writers who like to help lots of different people (medical doctors, safari guides, missionaries, political activists, chefs, other writers…etc.) complete their book projects.
• We research, write, rewrite, collaborate, and brainstorm with clients until THE END.
• We can take a very basic concept (even a one paragraph idea) and RUN with it—writing and developing the idea—while communicating with the client until a full draft manuscript is ready for the client’s review.
• We can also take a multi-page “draft manuscript” that is incomplete—fill in the missing pieces—and present a “complete draft” to the client.

With seventeen (17) books now listed on my resume, I’ve received some interesting comments about the working relationship my clients and I have enjoyed. Perhaps this list will further define the “role” of a ghostwriter: research-digger; big picture visionary; candid critic; surprising wordsmith; personal coach; listening friend. What is important to remember is that NO TWO projects are ever the same. Each one is developed within the unique parameters set by the topic/concept and the client. IT IS THE Ghostwriters purpose to make the author LOOK GREAT in print and help make their dream of being an author come true!

JUST IN CASE you’re thinking that ghostwriting help is NOT for you, I’ll share a bit of trivia (which can be checked out on the Internet) about a few famous authors who have enjoyed the HELP of a friend.

Raymond Benson may be one of the best known ghostwriters known for his James Bond novels. He is also behind the scene of the Tom Clancy Splinter Cell series, using a pseudonym (David Michaels) for the 1st and 2nd books in that series, after which another ghostwriter has taken up the work.

Author V.C. Andrews was just beginning to build her GARDEN book series when she passed away from cancer. Her family sought out a ghostwriter to complete one book and selected Andrew Neiderman who took over in 1986 and continues writing under V.C. Andrews today.

Business guru Stephen Cover (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) worked with ghostwriter Ken Shelton.

True story author Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness which was the basis for the Will Smith movie of the same title) was written “with Quincy Troupe.”

BIG THINGS CAN—and do—happen when writers HELP each other! The heart behind the help also comes in the form of professional book publishers and their staff that includes Ghostwriters, Interior Designers, Cover Designers, and Marketing Specialists. I hope you’re encouraged—today—to seek, select and enjoy the benefits of TEAM-work to see your dreams of publishing come true! ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.   Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.