Just as a parrot learns to speak through repeated exposure, your ghostwriter hones your voice through consistent application of various communication techniques.
Many clients are understandably concerned whether their ghost will accurately capture their voice. A client's voice makes the story or message distinct.
If you've decided to work with a ghostwriter, here are six tiny but mighty communication tricks to help your ghostwriter nail your authentic tone and style:
Share Your Favorite Books or Authors Tell your ghostwriter about the writers you admire or the books that have influenced you. This information gives them insight into the writing styles you appreciate and helps them understand the tone you're aiming for.
Record Casual Conversations. Have a few informal chats with your ghostwriter and record them (with their permission, of course). Unscripted conversations can reveal your natural speech patterns, idioms, and thought processes.
Provide Writing Samples If you have any existing writing - be it emails, blog posts, or personal journals - provide these writing samples to your ghostwriter. You may or may not wish to sound as informal as these samples tend to be, but they'll provide insight into your regular communication style.
Share What Annoys You Let your ghostwriter know about any words, phrases, or writing styles you dislike. This negative information is as valuable as positive direction in avoiding content that doesn't align with your voice.
Provide Feedback on Drafts When reviewing drafts, don't just focus on the content. Also, pay attention to the style and tone and provide specific feedback on passages that do or don't sound like you. This iterative process helps refine your voice. Your ghostwriter should tell you to be totally honest when providing feedback on early drafts—the more information you share about what you don't like, the better your ghostwriter can identify your voice.
Use Metaphors and Analogies When explaining complex ideas or emotions, use metaphors or analogies. These can give your ghostwriter insight into how you conceptualize and express abstract thoughts, a key component of your voice. For example, instead of saying, "Managing a company during a crisis is difficult," you might say:
"Managing a company during a crisis is like steering a ship through a storm. You must keep a firm hand on the wheel, adjust course as new waves hit, and keep your crew focused. Sometimes you weather the storm, other times you sail around it. Your job is to get everyone safely to the other side."
This metaphor conveys the challenges of crisis management and your views on leadership - regarding navigation, adaptability, and responsibility. It gives your ghostwriter rich imagery to capture your unique way of explaining concepts.
Finding your voice is a collaborative process. By implementing these communication tricks, you're equipping your ghostwriter to authentically represent you. The result? A book that tells your story and sounds unmistakably like you.
Comments