How Much Do You Need to Write Before Hiring a Ghostwriter? (Hint: Less Than You Think)

Dear Half-Baked and Hopeful,

First of all, congratulations — you’re further along than you think.

Having notes, thoughts, and the desire to turn them into a book puts you in a better position than many who dream of writing but never start.

The short answer to your question is: you don’t need to have much at all before hiring a ghostwriter. But since you asked Mr. Higgonbottom (and I’m nothing if not thorough), let’s dig in.

The Truth About “Starting Points”

People come to ghostwriters at all stages. Some have full rough drafts that need heavy editing. Others, like yourself, have a collection of notes, stories, and ideas. And some have nothing on paper at all — just a concept and a strong desire to tell it well.

So don’t worry about not having a structure yet. That’s actually one of the biggest benefits of working with a ghostwriter: we help create the structure with you.

Think of your ghostwriter as part collaborator, part translator, part detective. We’re here to dig through your notes, ask the right questions, and start building something solid.

Here Are Some Tips to Make the Process Smoother:

1. Get clear on your “why.”
Even if you don’t have a plot, knowing your purpose is powerful. Is this a legacy memoir for your family? A business book to build credibility? A novel you’ve had in your head since college? Your reason will help your ghostwriter determine tone, structure, and audience.

2. Know your audience.
Who do you imagine reading this book? Is it for industry professionals? Everyday readers? Teens? Knowing your target reader helps shape everything — from vocabulary to pacing to chapter layout.

3. Organize your existing material (a little).
You don’t have to create a detailed outline, but gathering your notes into themes or rough chronological order can save time. Create folders or categories like “childhood,” “career,” “big life lessons,” or whatever makes sense for your project.

4. Think about format and style.
Is this a memoir with a reflective tone? A punchy how-to book? A biography about a loved one’s life? You don’t need to have a decision locked in, but having a general idea can help guide early conversations.

5. Be ready to talk.
Most ghostwriting starts with interviews. The more open you are during those early chats, the more your ghostwriter can extract gems from your stories and voice. Don’t worry about being eloquent — just be yourself. We’ll handle the rest.

6. Don’t let perfectionism stall you.
A lot of people delay hiring a ghostwriter because they feel like they should “do more first.” The truth is, trying to perfect things before bringing in a professional often leads to frustration — and more revisions later. Ghostwriters are used to starting with raw material.

So in short: your notes are enough. Your enthusiasm is more than enough. All you need now is the right ghostwriter to take what you have and help you shape it into something readable, powerful, and fully you.

Don’t let that half-baked feeling stop you — most of us are just waiting for someone to help us preheat the oven.

Warmly,