Having completed phase one of my ghostwriting assignment (the first twelve chapters of the novel), I'm now deep into phase two. However, my timescale is so tight, and my editors are so efficient, that I've just received a complete set of notes on phase one. Getting feedback as you go along is a good thing. … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 12

This week I hit the first major road block in my ghostwriting journey. Real life, as it often does, took my carefully-crafted schedule and twisted it into something resembling a monster pretzel. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say the broken washing machine and flooded kitchen didn't help. Actually, there wasn't … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 11

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 … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 10

Okay. Here's what not to do when you're ghostwriting. When you find yourself lying awake at 4:05am, mentally juggling characters, plots and the relentless tolling bell of the word count schedule, don't get out of bed, crawl downstairs, make yourself a strong coffee, fire up the laptop and start writing at white heat. Yes, you … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 09

I've reached the end of week two of my schedule. I'm six chapters in, and just shy of 16,000 words. The last chapter threw me a curve ball by running on half as long again as any of the others, and therefore taking longer than anticipated to compose. I've no idea if that's because I've … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 08

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season. I certainly did. Now, with the wine rack looking sadly depleted and twelfth night just around the corner, it's time to take down the tinsel and hang up the ghostwriting schedule. It's a tight schedule, one that requires me to turn out an average … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 07

The clock is ticking! As of today, I'm in possession of the final storyline for the novel I'll be ghostwriting over the coming months. Contracts have been signed and exchanged, committing me to final manuscript delivery in the middle of April 2014. The timescale's so tight I've agreed with my client to serve up the … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 06

I'm 2,000 words into my ghostwriting assignment, and just short of completing the first chapter. I'm overwriting, but that's standard operational procedure for a first draft. The hack and slash of editing will knock it into shape. My first session saw me trying too hard ... trying to impress, if truth be told. That's a … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 02

Listen up. I don't have much time. I've just been invited to pitch for a ghostwriting assignment and every second counts. So I'll keep this brief. The assignment I'm talking about is a trilogy of fantasy novels. My brief comprises an overview of the storyline, brief sketches of the main characters and a comprehensive outline … Continue reading Ghostwriter Diaries 01