working with a legacy ghostwriter:
the process
The easiest and quickest way to write your memoir is by using a ghostwriter. No doubt about it. In simple terms, you talk and I write. An experienced interviewer, I will guide you through your story and help you uncover long-forgotten memories and revealing detail. When we’re done you’ll have a book people will want to read—interesting, compelling and, most importantly, a meaningful reflection of the life you’ve lived. And, like most authors, you may be surprised at what a pleasure the whole process can be.
OUTLINE
We start with a two- to four-hour interview—via phone, internet, or in person—to hit the highlights of your story. From there I draft an outline or draw a “bubble map” of your book. Deviations are welcome as you tell your story, but it’s nice to know where we’re headed.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews are the primary tool of legacy ghostwriting, and how many depends on the scope of your story and the number of drafts. During the interviews you tell me your story. The outline guides us along, but we go where the story takes us. Each interview is roughly transcribed before I wrestle it into the first draft.
DRAFTS
The first draft is the Down Draft—we’re just getting it down. Then we review the draft paragraph by paragraph as you embellish, enrich, add to, and correct. The second draft, the Up Draft, incorporates your enriched memories and changes as the writing begins to flow and the larger context emerges. Another review results in the third and often Final Draft, though back and forth we go until you’re completely satisfied with your manuscript.
BOOK DESIGN
Most legacy memoirs include graphics that support the story and inform the reader. There’s usually 80 to 90 treasured pictures, letters, articles, or anything that can be scanned and doesn’t violate copyright laws. I can manage the process, from helping you select graphics, designing the book’s interior, and managing the book cover design.
About a week after sending in the book’s files, you’ll receive a galley—it looks exactly like your book but with loose pages (no binding). After a proofreader flags any typos, spelling errors, or inconsistencies, you’ll have a chance for a final review. Is everything just as you’d like it? If so, then it’s ready for print. Three to six weeks later, you’ll hold your book in your hands.
ENJOY!
After years of thinking about writing your book, it’s finally written! What an accomplishment…what a gift.