It's not just memoirs, you know, by Ben Jeapes
Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.
I’m sure we’ve all heard of Imposter Syndrome: the feeling that we’re not half as good as we’re being made out to be, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone else realises it.
It’s quite a comfort to know that even millionaire bestselling author Neil Gaiman suffers from it – and he wrote an excellent account of how he was cured of it by meeting a Neil with even less cause to feel ashamed about himself.
I don’t know if I suffer from it, or whether I just have a mild form that could perhaps be known as Englishness. Sometimes I think I may be just a bit too ready to be contradicted, even if I think I’m probably right.
And, every now and then, I come across something that I absolutely do know about, and will dig my heels in if anyone tries to tell me otherwise.
Earlier this year I was reading The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting, by Teena Lyons, and very good it is. Full disclosure: I know Teena and included a couple of my thoughts in the book.
But as I read it, I realised it isn’t the complete guide, because other than a passing acknowledgement that ghostwritten fiction exists, it barely touches on the subject.
I thought, “There’s so much I could say if I had been asked …”
And then I thought, “So why not say it?”
So, that has been my project for most of the year so far. Working title: Ghostwriting A Novel: A Guide for Ghostwriters and the Ghostwritten. Most of my income for the last ten years has come from ghostwriting fiction, but when I began I was – well, a beginner. It would have been handy to have a guide. There is advice I could not give my younger self and anyone else in the same position. And I think many possible clients could do with a guide to seeing what is possible and what is available. Hence, book.
I don’t yet know how I will get it out there; some form of self-publishing, obviously. To be decided.
And those lucky enough to be listening to me talk at tomorrow’s Zoom Writers Day may find some of the material being road tested on them.
I take inspiration from Paul’s vehement self-defense in 2 Corinthians. He was prepared to put up with a lot, but he also knew where to draw the line.
And come to think of it, he got a book out of it too …
It’s quite a comfort to know that even millionaire bestselling author Neil Gaiman suffers from it – and he wrote an excellent account of how he was cured of it by meeting a Neil with even less cause to feel ashamed about himself.
I don’t know if I suffer from it, or whether I just have a mild form that could perhaps be known as Englishness. Sometimes I think I may be just a bit too ready to be contradicted, even if I think I’m probably right.
And, every now and then, I come across something that I absolutely do know about, and will dig my heels in if anyone tries to tell me otherwise.
Earlier this year I was reading The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting, by Teena Lyons, and very good it is. Full disclosure: I know Teena and included a couple of my thoughts in the book.
But as I read it, I realised it isn’t the complete guide, because other than a passing acknowledgement that ghostwritten fiction exists, it barely touches on the subject.
I thought, “There’s so much I could say if I had been asked …”
And then I thought, “So why not say it?”
So, that has been my project for most of the year so far. Working title: Ghostwriting A Novel: A Guide for Ghostwriters and the Ghostwritten. Most of my income for the last ten years has come from ghostwriting fiction, but when I began I was – well, a beginner. It would have been handy to have a guide. There is advice I could not give my younger self and anyone else in the same position. And I think many possible clients could do with a guide to seeing what is possible and what is available. Hence, book.
I don’t yet know how I will get it out there; some form of self-publishing, obviously. To be decided.
And those lucky enough to be listening to me talk at tomorrow’s Zoom Writers Day may find some of the material being road tested on them.
I take inspiration from Paul’s vehement self-defense in 2 Corinthians. He was prepared to put up with a lot, but he also knew where to draw the line.
And come to think of it, he got a book out of it too …
Very interesting! I like the idea of ghost writing, so will keep an eye out...!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, Ben! Thank you. I have no idea about ghost writing too and that was what piqued my interest for tomorrow's meeting. As for Imposter Syndrome, if complete strangers buy and review my books, I will will be cured. Meanwhile, I take courage from the fact, that God who called me to write is in charge! Blessings.
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