[metalhead]

I have a pretty good idea (in my opinion) for a novel, and i am in the proccess of making an outline, but the fact is that i have like no idea how to write. My question is how do you get a ghost writer who isn't going to screw up your basic plot and keep true to your ideas?

[Rinion]

This forum is really for people who do write their own stories, but I suppose you submit your idea to a publisher and hope that, if they like your idea, they choose a good ghost writer for you. Or you could look for a ghost writer yourself, although most writers want to write about their own ideas, not someone else's. I believe that most ghost writers are only in it for the experience, or because they can't yet get published under their own names.

The simple answer is that getting a decent ghost writer is hard, and getting one that will stay completely true to your ideas is even harder. The easiest solution is to learn how to write yourself, and the best way of doing that is through practice and reading.

On a side note, please capitalize the word "I" in future.

[garfield]

I very strongly suggest you try to write it. I mean even if it's godawful to start with (everyones first pieces are =P) you'll get some valuable experience - and it's fun. =] It's a lot of fun. You'll also be in complete control of your plotline and I'm pretty sure your story will evolve all the better for it - my finished works are always almost completely different from the initial outline. It's an interesting process. =]

I don't really see why you'd want a ghost writer if you're not in a hurry to get something published, really. You've got the outline (a lot of aspiring writers have the most trouble with this) - so give the writing a go! =] There's quite a good community here to give you feedback on it if you want. Honestly I can't really express how much fun it is seeing your story grow and the characters evolve - through your own efforts.

At the end of the day, wouldn't you rather have a published book that you actually wrote yourself? Even if it takes longer, I can guarantee it'll be worth it - and if you really still find you're just not meant to write it, you can look for a ghost writer from there. I just really think you should give it a shot first, though. I don't think you'll regret it. =]

[Da' Tara]

Adding on to what Garfield said about trying to write it out on your own, you can always post excerpts or pieces of your writing on forums (like this one) and get help in improving your work by the other writers. It has really helped me in many ways!

And I agree with Garfield, you'll have a lot more pride in your work if you write it yourself then using a ghost writer.

[Kari]

Agreed. Everyone (or most of us) starts out as a basic writer, but many excel and end up getting better and better.

Once I spoke to my favorite author. She said that she re-wrote the book three times before giving it to her publishers. That way, you edit it out and correct things, and can also re-shape the story.

[Arthryn]

You'd probably want to go through a book packaging company. These companies basically make books that publishers don't have the resources to make, and employ lots of ghostwriters and artists and stuff. I know that it's common in certain genres for the author to hand over a crudely written story or simply an outline, and then it's turned into a real book by the packaging company, who sells it to the publisher. The other way it's used is having a celebrity barf up some content and then have a ghostwriter do the writing, research, and editing, and then market the book under the celebrity's name.

Ghostwriters are common in long, ongoing book series like Nancy Drew and Goosebumps. Yes, Carolyn Keene and RL Stein were/are teams of ghostwriters. On a related note, Erin Hunter (Warriors author) is actually just a pen name for three different authors.

I've never heard of packaging companies being used all that much in fantasy (it's really common in chick lit though), because there are so many people writing their own fantasy that it's cheaper and more effective for the publisher to buy a manuscript off the writer directly than to go through a packaging company.

Your best bet would be to just write the story yourself, and work on improving your writing, or teaming up with a friend who's better at writing then you and who is interested in the project. Though in that case you'll probably have to share credit.

Or you could hire a freelance writer to be your ghostwriter. Except at 15 I'd imagine you'd have a hard time affording that.

So really, just try writing it yourself. Everyone's writing is bad when they're 15 anyway. I look at my writing from when I was 15 and I cringe. Trust me, you have nowhere to go except up.

[Malus Rune]

Everyone's writing is bad when they're 15 anyway. I look at my writing from when I was 15 and I cringe. Trust me, you have nowhere to go except up.

*cries at his fifteen year old inadequacy* But that's very true. When I look at the writing I did when I was twelve or thirteen, I'm like... How did I ever even think this could work????

This post has been edited by Malus Rune: 19 June 2009 - 02:08 AM

[bookgirl43]

I have a pretty good idea (in my opinion) for a novel, and i am in the proccess of making an outline, but the fact is that i have like no idea how to write. My question is how do you get a ghost writer who isn't going to screw up your basic plot and keep true to your ideas?

I have a notebook were anything that pops into my mind about the book (s) just goes in there.