“This is really good. Whatever you do, don’t ever stop writing!”
Those were my dad’s words before handing over my journal, slightly embarrassed.
I had caught him red-handed rummaging through the pages. I was livid!
Of course, I was livid.
I had just returned home a few days earlier, after the first semester of my first year at Moi University. I was turning 20 soon, loaded with GenZ-like self-awareness, upset that my imaginary privacy had been infringed. I say ‘imaginary’ because, in an African home there is NO privacy. 😂
To be fair, I was more upset that someone other than myself, had gotten a rare seat into my most private thoughts and wild imagination.
Fast forward to present day.
This week, I submitted a completed book manuscript to one of my ghostwriting clients. They are happy. I am happy. Everyone is happy.
I woke up today feeling dandy, and looking forward to the next great story I can help pen to life.
Though we completed the initial writing phase in time (4 months), the editing phase stretched the project into 11 months.
No fault of our own. It happens. Sometimes projects will overrun and we happily adjust. In this case, there were some factors:
The client was aged, well over retirement, and living out of town, which required multiple trips, some unprecedented, to their location.
Due to circumstances, edits had to be done on-site. A lot of time was dedicated to reading aloud the contents of the manuscript so the client could direct changes. I’m ready for my Audible career. Anyone?🙃
Natural life events. Holidays. Birthdays. The weather. There was a time, the El Nino rains made roads impassable.
Thankfully, I’ve done this so long (17 years), these days before I start typing, I will plan meticulously for ‘eventualities’ and prep my clients in advance, so that we are all on the same page, and expectations managed.
Even with the perfect plan, we may still experience surprises along the way. Kind of reminds me of the verse in Isaiah 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
Anyway, I woke up thinking about my dad’s words that encouraged me onto this path. And how, had I stayed livid and ignored his advice, I’d probably be somewhere clocking hours as someone’s admin assistant, pulling teeth, whilst forever planning my escape from Sobibor.
↘️For our thought leadership and ghostwriting services reveiw our servcies & FAQ sections.
Comments