Writing Celebrity Memoirs

Writing memoirs for celebrities, politicians, and CEOs is interesting an enjoyable work.  It can also be extremely challenging.  Celebrity autobiographies are usually very long, and those who have gained fame or some level of notoriety or accomplishment in their lives usually want a full accounting of their lives and how they "made it."  Who can blame them?  To become an actor, senator, or CEO is not easy, and the climb to the top usually comprises the first hundred pages of the book.

It takes a great deal of interview time to sort through the anecdotes, relationships, and accomplishments of celebrities and then organize them.  Even more important is the need to give the autobiography the genuine narrative voice of the celebrity.  This requires consummate writing and interviewing skills.  One has to "nail" the expressions and linguistic flow of the client.

Is it always fun?  No.  Sometimes celebrities have a bit too much attitude and attempt to micromanage the writing.  But it's always interesting.  And a ghostwriter or collaborator learns quickly that these famous men and women are humans like the rest of us.

~ William Hammett

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