Writing Skills

This is a continuation of guest blogger Kristin Noland’s post on ghostwriting. If you missed part 1, you’ll want to go back and read it.

The Process

It’s long, but ghostwriting a book does take time, so stay with me.

1. I meet with the author and discuss:
   – their ideas and vision for their book
   – their publishing goals
   – their ghostwriting needs
   – what material they have readily available
   – their desired word-count range
   -the time frame they 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, I send a contract and invoice to the client.
5. They send me all the relevant material they have 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. Some may ask for each chapter or a few chapters sent throughout the process. It’s your decision how you want to handle that. (I don’t particularly like that as I leave blanks and abandon scenes sometimes, and that doesn’t look good to the author. Even though that may be their process, they expect a lot from their ghostwriter.)
11. We meet, when necessary, to brainstorm or you can schedule a chat to check in if you want, but my rule is no more than once a month. Each check-in can spark a long series of emails which will take time away from you writing the book.
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 my service is complete. This second 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.
• All other documents I’ve created and any of theirs that I’ve changed I send to the author.

The Timeline

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 how much more information I need from the author and when they can meet for brainstorming, if necessary, 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 time and quickness in which they read through the feedback and decide what they want me 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 at this point. 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 would be wary of someone who is completely hands off, but if that’s what you want, make sure you state your preference clearly and choose only those who are comfortable with that situation to work with.

You are the extra set of hands the author’s need to see their dreams come true. So, their dreams are in your hands. Make sure you are prepared for the task.

One last note: Credit

We don’t get credit for ghostwriting books on the front cover or even inside the book, but you can and should request you be listed as a collaborator.

Something like “Written in collaboration with [your name]” will do. If you can, insist on a separate line for this. You don’t want to get lost in the list of acknowledgements. You want others who understand ghostwriting lingo to know you wrote the book and get new clients due to your excellent work.

If you are interested in my ghostwriting service, visit nolandediting.com. I’d love to chat with you about your story.

About Kristin

With over 80 manuscripts to her name—including two bestsellers, one a military thriller—Kristin has spent her career helping authors bring their stories to life and position their work for success. From intricate world-building to sharp pacing, intricate plots, and characters who stay with readers long after the last page, she has her clients’ backs.

As a ghostwriter and editor specializing in speculative and crime fiction, she works with authors to strengthen narrative structure, ensuring every plot point builds toward a compelling conclusion; refine style and voice, polishing language to capture her client’s unique storytelling voice; and prepare their books for the marketplace by aligning the manuscript with what agents, publishers, and readers are looking for.

Her background spans traditional and independent publishing, including editorial roles with Literary Wanderlust and collaborations with Greenleaf Book Group, She Writes Press, and The Literary Consultancy. She’s guided authors through the challenges of both debut projects and seasoned careers, always with the goal of creating a book that resonates and connects.

This month’s posts are from guest blogger Kristin Noland.

With over 80 manuscripts to her name—including two bestsellers, one a military thriller—Kristin has spent her career helping authors bring their stories to life and position their work for success. From intricate world-building to sharp pacing, intricate plots, and characters who stay with readers long after the last page, she has her clients’ backs.

As a ghostwriter and editor specializing in speculative and crime fiction, she works with authors to strengthen narrative structure, ensuring every plot point builds toward a compelling conclusion; refine style and voice, polishing language to capture her client’s unique storytelling voice; and prepare their books for the marketplace by aligning the manuscript with what agents, publishers, and readers are looking for.

[Read more…] about The Ghostwriting Process – Part 1