Writers and Editors

Mark Twain's insights on writing a life story could keep many memoir writers from getting stuck: "Finally, in Florence in 1904, I hit upon the right way to do an Autobiography: start it at no particular time of your life; talk only about the thing which interests you for the moment; drop it the moment its interest threatens to pale, and turn Read More 

Darn: These essays all seem to be offline now. Authors: If you want them posted again, let me know. Maybe I can post them here. Talking Writing: Why aren't they up anymore? Your back issues don't seem to reach back to April 2011.

How much is too much truth? And whose truth is it to reveal? Those are two of many questions addressed in a fascinating issue about the ethics of memoir writing in a wonderful online magazine, Talking Writing. Can we trust ourselves to tell our stories truthfully? asks the editor. How far can we carry the fine art of  Read More 

"With the rise in self-publishing and the popularity of celebrity books, demand for ghostwriters has increased dramatically," writes Joni Rodgers, ghostwriter of bestsellers, in a story for Daily Finance: The Art and Economics of Ghostwriting (11-29-2010). "And with the downturn in the publishing industry, many talented, experienced writers are turning to ghostwriting to make ends meet. Truth is, there's risk and reward on both sides of a collaboration." Rodgers offers a primer on the ghostwriting gig:

She begins: "Obviously, baseline writing talent and solid knowledge of the craft are required for this job, but a good ghostwriter is also a good listener, meticulous researcher and all-purpose book nanny, with the ability to keep the client's secrets, build a bridge between the client and publisher, and completely set ego aside. Ghostwriting is a personality type as much as it is a skill set. Natural nurturers are in like Flynn; control freaks need not apply." This is a positive, enlightening story from a woman who makes ghostwriting celebrity memoirs and other books very appealing. It balances some of the more negative stories we hear in the hallways at writers conferences.

Learn more about Joni Rogers at Red Room ("where the writers are") and at Joni Rodgers blog. I like this excerpt from a guest blog Nancy Brinker talks about the writing of Promise Me and the power of stories: "Looking at my life and the breathtaking scope of the work done by Susan G. Komen for the Cure in this broader context, I’m humbled and elated. All around me every day, stories pour down like rain, bringing fresh life to everything we do. When I sit down with friends and strangers in all corners of the world, I still start by saying, 'Let me tell you about Suzy.'"

It works. I'm ordering a copy of Nancy Brinker's Promise Me: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer.
See: Links to more stories on book ghostwriting and collaboration

In How to Write a Great Novel, WSJ reporter Alexandra Alter interviews 11 top authors on their methods for getting the story on the page. Junot Díaz writes in the bathroom, Nicholson Baker dresses in character, Amitav Ghosh uses black ink Pelikan  Read More