Yahoo! I just reached the first major milestone in my ghostwriting odyssey. I’ve completed the first part of the three-part novel, and submitted the first draft manuscript to my client. Total count of this first submission is around 27,500 words. That’s a little longer than agreed, but long is good because it gives the editorial team plenty of room in which to swing their axes.
So, what’s next? A cold beer and a hot bath? Don’t you believe it. I’m launching straight into part two, and things are hotting up. Up to now I’ve averaged 2.25 chapters a week. For the second round, I need to turn out 2.8 chapters a week. I don’t actually think of it in terms of numbers, you understand. I’m a wordsmith. The stats just remind me not to sit on my laurels.
On the subject of “what’s next?” here’s a thing. I haven’t referred to the complete story outline since I first read it last year, and I’ve forgotten a lot of the detail. I just refer to the isolated outline for the chapter I’m working on, as I’m working on it.
This isn’t sloppiness. It’s a deliberate strategy of mine to keep the writing fresh. When a character does something surprising, I’ll be surprised myself, and with luck that will come through in the prose. With ghostwriting, there’s a danger that things will become too mechanical. After all, I’m retelling a story that’s been worked over several times already. I figure it’s vital to do everything I can to keep my own contribution to the project as spontaneous as possible. If that means keeping myself at least a little in the dark, then I’m happy to pull down the shades.
So, when you ask me, “What’s next?” I may very well answer, “I haven’t a bloody clue.” Don’t fret. It’s all part of the master plan.
Graham Edwards 