Some More Thoughts on Ghostwriting

So, you want to be a writer, right? Which probably means you think you've got something to say, something inside you waiting to be created and let loose on a hopefully grateful world.

The problem being, the world doesn't know you yet and doesn't seem that interested in getting to know you or your work. Certainly, no one is throwing bundles of cash in your direction, so how on earth can you make it as a writer, writing for money?

You can keep plugging away, submitting articles and outlines to magazines, publishers and agents. Nothing wrong with that, but meanwhile you're still doing the day job, or worse still, don't have a day job, and you really need this writing lark to start paying, or you'll have to give it up like so many hopeless dreams.

No: you're a writer, so you'll keep going. But there's a quicker way to paid employment as a writer, and one that's perfectly respectable and quite good fun.

It just might mean you have to swallow a little pride, compromise on your dreams for a while, perhaps put the great manuscript to one side for now - and write someone else's masterpiece instead. Or just their article, course or ebook, their company report or even their award acceptance speech.

The point being, it's their words and not yours, but they're not able, for whatever reason to write them for themselves.

They're the ones with the story or the specialist knowledge, the pressing deadline or the contract already signed, and you're the one with the writing talent and the time.

It's a perfect match, and writers around the world make a very respectable living from ghostwriting, but with none of the attendant glory. Rest assured though, publishers, agents, experts and celebrities know the value of a good ghostwriter, and the best of them are paid accordingly.

And once a ghostwriter is charging enough and is efficient enough to only have to work part of the time on other people's work, he or she can devote the rest of their time to their own.

And think about it: wouldn't you rather be writing - almost anything - than the job you're doing now?

Quickmuse and Flash Poetry

It's something of a shock to realise that it's over a week since I posted on here. Even more so to recall how much I intended to do in that time, but still...

I hope you've been able to catch up with Quickmuse and that you've found it as fascinating as I have. If so, leave your comments on the site, but let me know what you think of it as well. I found Andrew Motion's poem more intriguing this time, which surprised me.

Since Motion and Paul Muldoon 'appeared', Quickmuse has already featured another head to head, but with a difference this time in that the poets, Geoffrey Brock and Jonathan Galassi, were set the task of translating a short poem in Italian by Giovanni Pascoli. I'll let you be the judge of how well they did.

You can also judge my efforts here on MoreWriting.

Coming soon, 'Quickblog'!

On the subject of writing poetry quickly, you might be interested to know that 'flash poetry' is one of the techniques I use, especially when inspiration is short but the need to write is still there.

I'll tell you more about that and some of the other methods I use, as well as some more tips and general 'how to do it' advice in my mini guide to writing poetry, which is extracted from the full-length course on the subject that I plan to release soon. If you would like a free copy of the guide, delivered by email in ebook form, email me here, or leave a message right here on my blog.

Remember I'll need your email address to send it to you, but as I say, it's totally free.

Roy.

Narrow Dog to Carcassonne

I just had to tell you about a wonderfully entertaining, erudite and uplifting book I read this summer. The book is not just a story but an education as well. French in fifteen minutes, to be precise. That's after how not to cross the English Channel and what breed of dog you should definitely not take with you if you do.

Read my review here: http://www.morewriting.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=12618

Enjoy!

Roy

Quickmuse - The Big Hitters

I know I keep mentioning this, but today's the day that Paul Muldoon takes on Andrew Motion.

I'm sure they'd play down the pugilistic element of the enterprise, but it should be a fascinating comparison even if it's not really a competition.

Log onto www.quickmuse.com to see what all the fuss is about!

How I Do It! (And how the greats did it) and How You Can Do It Too

As you'll see from previous postings here, although I consider myself quite an all-rounder as a writer, it's poetry that I often find myself coming back to.

With that in mind, I think it's high time I told you about a beginners' guide to writing poetry that I have been busy putting together.

The Guide will be in electronic form (which makes it easy to distribute via email) that's taken me some time to write but will soon be ready for release to the public.

As a taster, meanwhile, I've prepared a smaller but still useful ebook, extracted from the full length course, with lots of useful tips to get you started, with examples from my own work and suggestions for further reading.

In the book I tell you a little about my favorite poets, and why I think you may like them, too.

I suggest ways of beating the dreaded writers' block (if it really exists) and how you can decide what kind of poet you are or want to be.

I give you ideas on how to choose themes and even how to write when you have 'nothing to say'.

I explain some of the terminology of poetry and some of the poem forms you might encounter and those you might attempt yourself.

Who knows, you may be the next Lord Byron, or maybe Simon Armitage or Wendy Cope.

If you would like a copy of the guide, completely free to help you get started, drop me an email, or leave a message here, and I'll send you yours as quickly as I can.

Writing poetry has been one of the most fulfilling and satisfying things I've done in my life. It's helped me to understand and express some of life's less tangible thoughts and feelings, and I love to share it with others.

Now I'd like to share my methods and techniques, and a few of my thoughts and ideas with a new group of people. People who are ready and keen to attempt poetry for themselves, maybe for the first time.

As it's completely free (did I mention that?), you've nothing to lose by emailing me now for your copy.

Roy

Flash Poetry

This one I wrote in response to the work of a fellow poet, Peter Dixon, on the website More Writing. I've edited it slightly here.

I find I'm feeling young, and yet...
the certainties of younger years
I'd preach to any willing ears
have slipped away without the least regret.

But yet our struggle must go on
for open minds and kindly hearts -
how easily the slippage starts.
We'd follow where the certainties have gone

and, grasping for a finger hold,
clutch all the old familiar things -
the prejudice, that crap that clings,
for fear we will know nothing once we're old.

While I'm here, and before I forget, another reminder about an amazingly useful and informative ebook, recently published, on the subject of writing for profit.

It's by a successful and very knowledgable professional writer, Jacqui Carrel, and she's packed it with tips, links and information gleaned from her own experiences and those of her colleagues and associates, backed-up by months of research. It's totally free, and what's more, she'll be following up with a series of newsletters giving yet more advice and up to date information.

Frankly, if you want to write and you'd like to be paid for doing so, you really won't want to miss it. I've read and re-read it, and still I'm learning things I didn't know I didn't know!

Roy