Page 4 - Unleashing the Creative Process.pdf

Unleashing the Creative Process What You Should Know About Writing Collaboration
Introduction
This writing is a celebration of the right and privilege of self-expression through the written word – a tribute to my esteemed authors, past and present, and to those who have a dream. This piece is not intended to give away the store about how ghostwriting works or to serve as a writer’s ‘how to’ guide. It is, rather, an open letter, describing how to prepare for writing a book, what to expect, and how to search for a ghostwriter – the sum and substance of writing collaboration. All too often, clients come to me without any idea of how to begin the quest for a collaborator who will resonate with their ideas and messages. As a result, their writing dreams remain in the realm of reverie alone – smoldering with possibility for years on end, patiently awaiting manifestation.
A moment ago, I mentioned “giving away the store.” In truth, there isn’t any real mystery or secret to ghostwriting or giving life to a thought. Your project is, in fact, a collection of thoughts and feelings which, when shared, will have a broader impact (just how far-reaching the message will be hinges on a variety of factors, upon which I will elaborate in these brief pages).
At the outset, it is important to note that writing collaboration not only involves setting a particular set of thoughts to paper in ad hoc fashion and calling the product “a writing.” Rather, the process entails a mutual sharing of information, innovation, conceptualization, time, and skill. There is a distinct difference between professionalism and going through the mechanics of simply setting ideas beforeyoureyes. Thelatterengagementreferstoanoutline;andwhilethatisa
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