Ask the Author: Teena Lyons
Answered Questions (6)
Teena Lyons
There is an enormous interest in ghostwriting and it seems to be growing all the time. According to some publishers I speak to, up to 70 per cent of their books are written in collaboration and when it comes to celebrity books that figure is even higher. It can be a lucrative way to make money out of writing, in an environment where it is increasingly difficult to make a good living in this field. This is probably why some quite established authors are now trying their hand at ghosting.
I have been ghostwriting for nearly a decade and have written nearly 25 books for authors, from celebrities to ‘ordinary’ people with extraordinary stories. Now I have become established, I get calls every day asking me for advice or input on projects, or from aspiring ghosts asking me how they might get started. One of the most frequently asked questions from both parties is: how does it all work? It seemed to me there was a need for a book explaining all the ins and outs of ghostwriting and that was why I wrote The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting.
I have been ghostwriting for nearly a decade and have written nearly 25 books for authors, from celebrities to ‘ordinary’ people with extraordinary stories. Now I have become established, I get calls every day asking me for advice or input on projects, or from aspiring ghosts asking me how they might get started. One of the most frequently asked questions from both parties is: how does it all work? It seemed to me there was a need for a book explaining all the ins and outs of ghostwriting and that was why I wrote The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting.
Teena Lyons
My inspiration comes from the authors I work with. I am very careful about the projects I choose and go for a really wide variety of subjects. There really is never a dull moment. In the past year I have collaborated on the memoirs of a high earning stripper, a leadership book by a ‘super head’ teacher and the life story of an elder statesman at the forefront of the UK’s theatre and film industry. Listening to their stories and then working out the best way to present them is my inspiration.
Teena Lyons
I am just finishing a fascinating book on leadership in collaboration with a former commander of a nuclear submarine. It centres around some extremely gripping events in the recent past in a world which few of us ever see. The author is a very inspiring character and has some fascinating views on leadership that easily translate to other walks of life.
Teena Lyons
My advice for aspiring ghostwriters is to get some experience under their belt. If anyone is going to entrust you with their story, they’ll want to know you’ve done it before. This means that you might need to get some low paid, or even no paid, assignments to begin with. Look around your immediate circle and find out who has a story to tell, or if they know someone. If nothing is forthcoming, you might like to consider bidding for jobs on sites like guru.com. The money will be terrible, but it all goes towards building up a portfolio of work. Once you’ve done this, get out there and promote yourself like crazy. Get a website, go out and meet people, and keep your ear to the ground all the time.
Teena Lyons
Everything. I really do love my job. I wake up in the morning and look forward to going to my office and can get quite twitchy if things get in my way. Even though I am writing for other people and have to be mindful of their voice and the style of book they want, I love the sense of freedom involved in creating something. I also really enjoy that feeling which I get when I refer back to earlier chapters while I am writing and think; ‘wow, that is really interesting – I did that!’
Teena Lyons
It’s taken me a long time to work this out, in fact far too long, but when the copy stops dead, I have to walk away. In the past I have sat at my desk, doggedly trying to eek out a few more precious words. It is a complete waste of time. Even if I do succeed, I always end up deleting them the next day. By far the best strategy is to walk away, do something in the garden, tackle some of those chores I’ve been putting off, or simply have a relaxing cup of coffee. All being well, I’ll be fine to start again in a few hours. If not, I go back to it the following day. If the copy is not flowing by then it is usually symptomatic that there is something deeply wrong with the book. I take it as a subconscious sign that I need to take things back a bit to see where things aren’t working.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more