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by Ronald J. Watkins This, and all articles here, may be be reproduced, just so the author's name and the website link remain. What makes a ghostwriter the best? It's a question anyone considering hiring a ghostwriter has surely given considerable thought. There are so many, how to choose and not get taken. After doing a measure of due diligence by establishing the ghostwriter has a good publishing history, has written in your genre and seems able to do the job, here is what else to look for: Does your ghostwriter listen? He/she better. Before he can write your book the ghostwriter must know your story and understand what you want to say. That means listening and not cutting you short when you're explaining the book. It's not a skill everyone possess, and not one every ghostwriter masters. Is your ghostwriter willing to conduct research independently? It is unusual for a client to have enough information from which the book can be written. It happens, but not very often. To make your book the best it can be a certain measure of independent research often needs to be done by the ghostwriter. Not all of them are willing, not all of them who are willing are any good at it. Is your ghostwriter good at interviewing you? This is related to being a good listener but takes it a step further. Often the ideas for a book are not yet fully explored and need developing. Your ghostwriter should sense that and expand your thinking, pulling from you more than you had going into the interviews. Is your ghostwriter genuinely concerned about what you want? The sad truth is that too many ghostwriters are only interested in your check. They aren't looking to do one thing more than they must to get paid. You want a ghostwriter who really cares about your book, and your success, which takes us to the final point. Does your ghostwriter write your book with the same quality he/she does his own? Many ghostwriter don't respect their clients; they're just looking to knock pages out as quickly and easily as they can. They'll recycle ideas from other books, twist your message to fit what they already know, produce facile material that skims along what you really want to say. It's difficult to determine all this in advance, but to the extent it is possible you should make every effort. It may be that you won't have your answer until after you've retained him. In that case you need to make your concerns known and convince the ghostwriter that he must raise the level of his performance. If he/she cannot, or will not, be prepared to cut your loses. Better to move on then stick with a horse running dead last. For more details visit Ghostwriter. |