Tuesday, August 21, 2018

The Rich And Enlightening Experience Of Memoirs Ghostwriting

By Shirley Reed


Not every writer is going to accomplish a masterpiece of their own, but that does not mean they cannot make a name for themselves. For one who is appropriately ambitious in their art and creative in their approach, they can make their mark through memoirs ghostwriting. All one needs to find is a subject of adequate interest, charisma, and controversy.

Sometimes we find a subject by accident, and that man or woman makes a generous offer for the opportunity to have their story told from their point of view. Sometimes a writer pursues the work themselves, and commits to this duty for a stipend, or less. No matter how the job is obtained, this writer must know that their role is a vital element in the telling of historical events.

When writing up the contract for their services, the writers should stipulate in a legally binding way that they will have free access to the entire house and all the members of family or staff therein. Without total transparency on the part of the subject, the writer will find their hands are tied when it comes to being able to tell the story. All photographs, documents, family members, or other companions should be available for the writer to look at, record, or interview.

It might even be advantageous if the subject is bedridden. Elderly men and women often become enraged when they see someone going through their belongings, and this makes the job quite difficult. Even though they may have requested their services, and paid them a large retainer for same, actually witnessing a stranger in their attic can cause chaos in their heart.

Writers are cautioned about accepting the oral account only, as this exposes them to the possibility that their subject is lying or misrepresenting significant events in some way. Sometimes elderly people suffer dementia, and when their condition is revealed, the world disregards their story as being without credibility. Physical evidence such as photographs or journals are the only protection a writer has.

When the subject speaks with an accent, or uses some adulterated form of the language, the writer is encouraged to attempt to reflect this in his or her writing. In fact, writers such as Mark Twain are the reason we have the term, Creative License. When a ghostwriter successfully reflects the speaking style, accent, and character of their subject, they keep their readers entertained and engaged.

It is not uncommon for such individuals to become isolated from their normal lives during their stay in the world of the subject. Sometimes they must get inside their heads, experiencing pain and horror as if they were there. This can become stressful or traumatic for the writer, and they will need to take time to connect with the support of family and friends.

Only the brave may walk the hallways of history, as terrible events surely befell mankind in the wake of great triumph. Only a soldier of the written word dare cross the bridges that burned decades past. These terrible truths must be written with bitter-sweetness and beauty so that all of us can weep in wonderment at the exquisite beauty and horror of human beings.




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