Do You Want to Write a Book, or Just Talk About It?

I’ve found that there are two types of potential authors: People who want to talk about writing a book, and those that actually want to write a book. 

Even when you hire a ghostwriter like myself, the process of writing a book can be very taxing and time intensive. Not because you are sitting at the keyboard, banging out words (that’s my job), but because figuring out what you want to say and why you want to say it is an incredibly emotionally draining process. You are putting yourself out there in a big, public way, and some people cannot handle that kind of pressure. 

I see my role with clients, in addition to delivering high-quality writing, as helping them work through that pressure. Most of my conversations with them involve some level of coaching, and at the beginning of an engagement, the conversation is less about the book but more about the goals of the client. I ask: What do you want to achieve with the book? (Side note: If the answer to this question is “a passive income stream,” I quickly end the engagement or explain how 99% of authors make almost no money off book sales.) 

Once we understand the goals, we can get started on the book. Or, sometimes, based on the goals, the book isn’t the right decision for right now, and instead we focus on building up an audience through writing op-eds or other pieces. But that’s the first step: Figuring out why the author/client wants to put something out into the world. 

Unfortunately, I have run into a few clients (not many, but they are out there) who can’t get past this first step. They list out their goals, we agree on a strategy, and we get started on the book. But, almost right away, it becomes pretty clear that the client is not being honest with me or not honest with themselves about why they want to write that book. 

They say the book is to increase exposure for their business, or to share their ideas with a wider audience, or to increase their network, or whatever it may be, but as soon as we get to a point where we actually have to write something and publish it, they start to back track. They are never satisfied with the final product. They want to edit and tinker and edit some more.

Ego Boost

These are not people who want to write a book. They like the idea of becoming an author better than they like doing the work it takes to actually finish a book. Usually, they get an ego boost out of telling people that they are working on a book. They get attention, people ask them questions, they can feel good about how smart they are. 

Ego isn’t a bad thing. I wish more people would admit to me the ego-driven reasons why they want to write a book. I think it’s totally fine to say: “Well, I want to write a book because I want to get on CNN” or, “I want to write a book because I hope the New York Times will write a review about it.” Having exact clarity on these things is so helpful to me, as a collaborator, because it helps me know what to shoot for. Maybe you won’t get your book covered by the Times, but targeting similar publications can also probably get you that ego hit.

However, I find that the people who would rather talk and talk and talk endlessly about the book, instead of getting words on the screen, are also those who are unable to admit the egotistical side of their motivations to publish a book. Not to be an armchair psychologist, but I believe indecision on drafts and hiding ego are related because the kind of person who is not comfortable enough with themselves to admit what they want also has a hard time admitting they have failings and weaknesses that need to be improved. 

They do not want to admit to themselves that they might not be as great as they seem - that their ideas are more impressive in their heads than when fully exposed in a chapter draft. They cannot articulate their true desires out of fear that they will not be able to achieve them. Instead, those who are willing to be honest about their goals, as well as their weaknesses, can understand what support they require and will set themselves up for a better path to success. 

I cannot help someone who is unable to be open and honest about a book project, or any type of work. If you are unable to truly put yourself out there, and instead would rather stay in the safe space of conversation, then you will never have a book that accurately reflects you and helps you to achieve your goals. 

This is why I always look for clients who are interested in being collaborative and see what I bring to the table as a ghostwriter as a real skill. These are the people who understand what it takes for a good book or other quality piece of writing, and are honest about what I bring to the table and what they bring to the table. Together, we can write a great book.