Somehow, I’ve become a ghostwriter…and I love it!

The journey from copywriter to ghostwriter - no, not the horror movie kind.

How to become a ghostwriter?

Before we start, this is possibly not the ‘correct’ way of becoming a ghostwriter. But, finding your path is part of the fun, right?

So…

Two years ago, I met the sweetest man I've ever known, Les.

After a networking event, he headed straight for me and boldly asked, ‘Can you help me write my story?’

Honestly, I was taken aback. I’m not that type of writer. But when I thought about it, is ghostwriting much different to any other kind of writing? I’d get a brief, conduct my research, write, and edit, just like any other project. In reality? It’s very different!

The Making of a Memoir

It’s no secret that I was winging it from the start, and Les was extremely supportive as I learned my new craft. As a fellow creative (which I would later discover), he is the biggest believer in pursuing one's talent, no matter how small it may start.

We began with a meet-up at his local coffee shop in Brackley. Les shared why he wanted to write his memoirs; it was beautiful, and made me determined to preserve his legacy. Our breakfast meetings became weekly events, and Les spent the morning sharing tales from his childhood, school days, family milestones, partners, heartbreaks, career, and everything in between. It all held a significant place in who he is today.

My first rookie mistake was recording our conversations on my phone. As my storage rapidly filled, I switched to a Dictaphone, you know, like a professional! These recordings allowed me to familiarise myself with Les’s tone of voice, inflexions, and iconic phrases, ensuring he was captured perfectly. I could also mull over each anecdote to create a logical story arc. However, we quickly realised that there was a lot more to his tale than a traditional beginning, middle, and end.

Crafting a Story

It was Les’s daughter who pushed her dad to document his incredible journey. He tried, but after scribbling names, dates and places onto the back of an envelope, it wasn’t quite the page-turner he was hoping for.

Having experienced a successful career and plentiful opportunities to work across the globe with Louis Vuitton and the Contemporary Art Society, Les humbly wanted to share his work travels with his kids and grandkids. However, as he opened up about how he fell into his profession, it was clear that this narrative had a much deeper purpose.

As Les revealed more about his past and the moments that shaped him, he realised there was much more he had hidden from his family. Not out of secrecy, but because, at the time, it didn’t seem important – a trait I think we’re all guilty of. Looking back, Les realised how important it is to be open and honest. His history was his family’s history. If he didn’t talk about it, who would? Our goal had altered, and Les was now determined to share his feelings about his personal and professional life. Thoughts that his children would never have known, but may now explain a lot.

An Emotional Awakening

Each week, Les would talk, and I would listen. I would write, and Les would amend.

The entire process was emotional for both of us. I felt honoured to be welcomed into his most private and personal moments and walk alongside him. Les experienced waves of emotion as he recalled memories, often recovering new ones he’d forgotten entirely. This not only enriched the story and the entire experience, but it also presented unexpected challenges. New memories made him doubt previous recollections. We had to put on our best detective hats to clarify details and weave new information into the story without losing the plot (literally and figuratively).

When people ask, “How long does it take to write a memoir?” there’s no set answer. The beauty of this process is that it unlocks memories, and there’s no time frame on when that cycle ends.

A New Chapter

It was clear that Les’s memoir was actually an autobiography, and although it has come to an end (I really am hoping for a sequel; his story was too good to finish), the opportunity to help others write their own story has just begun. It’s true that everyone has a story within them. Whether it’s the autobiography of your entire life, a snapshot of a career, a collection of travel stories, or a fictional story based on your own experience, your story needs to be told.

LM Copywriting is here to help get you started!

To learn more about the story writing process, head to my ghostwriting services page.

Thanks for reading,

Lauren x