The Process
The easiest and quickest way to get your memoir written is by using a ghostwriter.
You tell your story, or share your expertise, in a series of interviews while I do the heavy lifting. I write, research, and manage the project. Working together, draft by draft, we'll produce a book that says what you want to say, in a book that people will want to read. Here's how we'll do it:
OUTLINE
In our first interview or two—via phone or the internet—we hit the highlights of your story. From there I draft a four- to ten-page outline 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 ghostwriting. How many interviews depends on the scope of your story and the number of drafts. The outline guides us along, but we go where the story takes us. Each interview is transcribed before I wrestle it into the first draft.
DRAFTS
The first draft is the Down Draft—we're just getting it down. We review the first draft paragraph by paragraph as you embellish, enrich, and correct. The second draft is the Up Draft, incorporating your changes and additions as the writing begins to flow and the larger context emerges. Another review results in the third and often Final Draft, though we might go back and forth until you are completely satisfied with your manuscript.
PRINTING
With your stamp of approval, it's time to send your book out into the world. I can provide electronic files that are easy to upload to any one of the many online publishing sites, or I can manage the process from cover and interior design through printing and delivery. In a matter of days or weeks, your professional-grade books are delivered and ready to share.