Starting a new project today–what excitement! There’s nothing like beginning something new, with the new hopes, the new ideas and the new anxieties that are attached to it. What a great way to start Spring!
At the beginning of every project, I go through the same emotions that probably plague other writers, as well. First there’s the excitement of having the job. Then there’s the creative burst that shows up on paper (I usually start each project with a brief outline so I know I’m where the client needs me to be). Then there’s the small surge of fear–what if I screw it up for them? That last issue is the one I want to address today.
It’s natural to worry or to be concerned that the project you’re about to undertake won’t turn out the way it should. This is especially true if you’re taking on something in a new area for you. That worry can be a good tool, actually. I use my worries to create a more comprehensive communication plan with my client. For instance, when I was ghostwriting my first book, I was worried (read that terrified) that I would not be able to deliver what the client wanted. That fear was magnified because we were located in different states and quite far apart geographically. There was no quick opportunity for a face-to-face, so we would be relying on phone and email to get the job completed.
That worry prompted me to ask more questions than usual. I drilled the client–did he want this tone? Who did he see as the audience? Where did he plan to market the story? Were there particular topics within that story that he wanted to focus on? The questions went on for a number of emails. And those emails were printed out and saved in the client file so I could refer to them during the writing process.
Next I developed a brief outline–just bullet points, really. I passed those by the client. He liked them. I then put together a detailed outline, chapter by chapter, covering areas he’d mentioned and areas he may not have considered. I crossed my fingers and sent it. His reaction–he loved it. He then said he was thrilled because someone finally “got” what he was after. From there, it was simply finishing each chapter and sending them off for approval.
It’s my system, which works for me. For you, something else may work better. Whatever you do, make sure you communicate often with your client. Ask the questions that pop up unexpectedly, or the ones that will define your direction. Make sure the client is clear on your vision of the project, and vice versa. Repeat it often until you both understand where it’s going. Then give the client what he’s asked for. It’s also a good roadmap that you’ve built with the help of your client. That map will help you finish that project with fewer rewrites and a lot less anxiety.
Those are good points. AND they can be used when you’re creating your own work, not work for a client. Drill yourself. Ask yourself questions. Don’t allow evasions. Prepare yourself for the actual process.
Thanks for the inspiration!
You rock, Devon! That’s very true. Thank you for the tip!