Helen Grant - Celebrity Ghostwriter

1. Adopt the person’s voice. The quicker you get under their skin, the better chance you have of telling their story successfully. Writing in someone else’s voice is one of the hardest ghostwriting tools to master, but the most crucial too. The trick is to listen. Let their voice wash over you. Listen to the way they talk, the phrases they use and the way they say things. Visualise how they would deal with certain scenarios; easier to do when you have got to know a client over a number of weeks. 
2. Listen more than you talk. During an interview, the only time you should speak is to ask a question or reflect back. The purpose of your question should be to draw specific information from your client. 
3. Do tons of research.  Know the subject inside out. Make yourself an expert on the issues affecting your client’s life; be it abuse, domestic violence, breast cancer, and so on. Make yourself an expert on their interests and activities too. You need to write as if an issue has affected you personally, impossible to do when you haven’t got a clue.
4. Be prepared to pester. If you don’t know something ask. You’re not the person’s best friend, but to do your job well you need to feel that it’s okay to call, email, text at any hour of the day or night (within reason).
5. Draw up a list of deadlines. Break the book down into chapter deadlines and 60,000 words won’t seem as daunting. All ghostwriters have different methods of working. My preferred method is to show my client draft chapters as I pogress to ensure they’re happy with the direction and content.

Helena Pozniak is looking for interviewees for an article in The Times about coping with children during summer holidays. Do you plan your childcare for the summer in advance or stop work during the holidays so that your children can run free? Helena is keen to know what kind of childcare works best, and what doesn’t. Email helena.pozniak@googlemail.com.

Guy About Town John Gough hit the red carpet at the Sex and the City world premiere and reported all the gossip from the glamorous side of London’s clubland. Z-listers, top clubs and hedonistic events were just another day’s work for John! Click here for the gossip.

Yesterday was lush. After arriving on location at the studio at 2, I was spoiled with a late lunch of chicken wrapped in parma ham, potatoes and fish washed down with a tonsil-tickling chocolate and banana liquer. Bev the director explained the sequence of events and after lunch, it was time for make-up and hair.

Had a good chat with Lynsey the make-up artist as she curled my lashes, plucked and preened and smothered my skin in a delicious smelling lotion. With my locks poker straight and my eyes lined with my favourite black kohl, I was given a rail of gorgeous clothes to choose from. I opted for an elegant navy blue dress with chunky beads and three inch high brown strappy heels - any excuse to glam it up!

It was a great shoot. We had a good laugh, gave it everything and the team were incredibly talented and inspiring. Thanks to everyone for a fantabulous afternoon! Look out for the pictures in the August issue of Red magazine, due out in shops at the beginning of July.

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