Make 1 Great Story Fully Compelling

From the Compelling Story and Pat Myself on the Back Departments: A prospect (who still might become a client) paid me a great compliment. He told me that he really appreciated that I was as excited about his project as he was. He said he had spoken to other ghostwriters and got the sense they were interested in the money but not the story.

I told him that I don’t take on a project that doesn’t appeal to me, that isn’t compelling enough for me to invest my time. What makes me want to spend a year on the project is how compelling the story is, and it’s the ghostwriter’s job to bring out those elements.

Ghostwriters in Austin are skilled storytellers who work behind the scenes to help individuals such as authors, business leaders, public figures, and average nobodies effectively communicate their stories and ideas. To achieve this, a ghostwriter focuses on several key aspects to pull out the most compelling elements from the client’s material and ensure the narrative resonates with the target audience.

Here’s what they do.

It starts with the idea. A ghostwriter must have a compelling idea to work with. When I speak to a prospect, I ask them to sell me the story or idea in two or three sentences. The more unique and relatable it is, the more compelling I’ll probably find it. The more I can picture myself (and the target audience, by extension) being right there in the action, and the more I can see an emotional component—and it doesn’t matter which emotions—the more likely I’ll sign on.

Then comes the research. Every ghostwriter has his/her/their own process to bring about the compelling details, but included is the need to do some serious homework. The ghostwriter will have multiple discussions with the client about the vision for the project, the target audience, and the desired tone.

That also means the ghostwriter must listen very carefully to the client’s voice, personality, nuances, and perspectives, and identify compelling phrasing or speech patterns, words and tones to better capture the voice and style.

Research usually means interviews beyond the client. A ghostwriter should leverage family members and friends, business associates, or anyone else who can contribute meaningfully and make the store more compelling. 

But it also might mean immersing oneself in court documents, website pages, previous writings and speeches, and anything else that will help bring the compelling aspects of the story to the forefront.

Next, the narrative. When the client pitches the story in two or three sentences, the entire narrative arc hasn’t yet been determined or completed. Ghostwriters identify key events, character transformations, and plot points to create a well-structured narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end, building towards a satisfying and compelling resolution. 

Ghostwriters skillfully adjust the pace of the narrative, build tension through conflict and challenges, and allow for moments of reflection, keeping readers immersed and engaged.

Ghostwriters also would be wise to follow Laura Sherman’s advice: “This process ensures that the story maintains its focus, never veering off into irrelevance. … In addition, this blueprint also helps maintain the narrative’s momentum, guiding readers through the story with a sense of purpose and direction.”

A compelling narrative has compelling characters who are relatable and multi-dimensional with distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws that drive the story forward and allow the reader to connect with the journey on a deeper level.

A current project I’m working on is the story of two brothers. One made all the right choices in staying out of gangs, drugs, and violence. His younger brother didn’t but late in life realized he was wrong and now talks to at-risk kids to make sure they don’t take the path he took. 

The brother who did right is the hero, but he is far less compelling than his younger brother, but that’s okay because these are two contrasting characters that will give more choices for readers to relate to.

Don’t forget the dialogue. One of the best ways to put the reader in the middle of the action is to quote the characters as they talk. Therefore, it is important for a ghostwriter to craft believable, compelling,  and engaging dialogue that reveals character traits and moves the plot forward while using vivid sensory details and imagery to bring the setting and events to life for the reader.

For example, the two brothers’ story often intersected with the streets, so I’ve used the language of the streets (meaning a lot of curse words) to bring their pasts alive. Sometimes, those conversations last for pages at a time. It’s more real that way.

Twist it! Finally, don’t forget the red herrings, teasers for the next chapter, and compelling plot twists that keep readers riveted. My client who married a psychopath had twists to end almost every chapter. From discovering her husband’s double life to having to face the state alone to miraculously getting the $1.4 million judgment overturned to getting the law changed, this woman lived enough surprises, revelations, and misdirections to last a lifetime.

Ghostwriters subtly weave in underlying messages, hints of future events, or plot twists that add depth and intrigue, encourage readers to delve deeper into the narrative, and uncover hidden meanings. They explore meaningful and compelling themes that resonate with readers and tap into universal human experiences, ensuring the story has emotional resonance and leaves a lasting impression.

After all, who doesn’t want to read about a teacher suffering a mysterious heart attack and recovering fast enough to start school in September? Who doesn’t love the irony of a therapist searching for greatness, only to find at the end of his life he had it in him all along, and then lose everything in a fire?

Remember, it’s a collaboration. Ghostwriting is not a job done in isolation. Ghostwriters work closely with the client throughout the writing process, incorporating feedback at various stages to ensure the final product aligns with their vision and expectations.

“Collaboration is everything,” Michael Adams wrote on the book writing services website BookQuill. “Hiring a ghostwriter doesn’t mean handing off your story. It means co-creating with clear communication, shared goals, and mutual respect to bring your voice to life authentically.”

It is normal for a ghostwriter and client to go through three, four, or even five drafts before it’s right. Both must pay meticulous attention to detail, polishing the writing through multiple rounds of editing and revision to enhance clarity, coherence, and flow, ultimately delivering a manuscript that truly reflects the client’s message and captures the audience’s attention.

By focusing on compelling elements, a ghostwriter transforms a client’s experiences, expertise, and ideas into a compelling and memorable story, bringing their vision to life for a wider audience.

Feel free to read and check out my other posts related to ghostwriting. Go to leebarnathan.com/blog.