Judy Said:

Published Authors: your opinion of ghostwriters? See details.?

We Answered:

Nope. Not at all. There are many people who have great ideas but they don't have writing skills. They turn to someone who does. A ghostwriter. I am one. I ghostwrite for a very well known sports personality. I have done two children's books for him already sold to a major NYC publisher (top 5) and I am currently working on a Young Adult book. My Uncle was a qhostwriter as well.

The two of us sit together and discuss his ideas. I contribute many myself. Together we put together the storyline and then I write it. The second one I did has a lot of my own personal vision. What often happens is you take this freefloating idea and figure out the direction to take it in. You develop the theme - turn an idea into a story. I also work with the illustrator, developing the concepts for the drawings to fit the story. It is a team effort. By the way, a lot of people now use the term "unabridged editor" which indicates that I am both editing and assisting in the writing of the book. James Patterson uses "unabridged authors" all the time. He gives them front cover credit. Once these two books fulfill this sports figure's contract, I will be getting cover credit as well.

No, I do not do this for quick money. It really isn't quick money. I get an advance just like any other author, but I will get a percentage of the royalties when the books come out. In the meantime, I write for myself. I write murder mystery novels in my own name. My Uncle ghosted autobiographies and wrote military non-fiction in his own name.

Quite honestly, it is a great foot in the door. I have written children's work in the past but was unable to sell it. The children's market is the toughest of all. However, now I have a great contact and have gotten my work noticed by a top 5 NYC publisher. Yes, they are aware of me. The sport star has the name to get these books done. Most celebrities do.

Your post sounds a little bit bitter. Have you ever considered ghosting? I have another project sitting here in my files -- a woman who wants her life story written. It is very interesting and challenging and a great story, but right now, I just do not have the time to do it for her. I did an interview with her, came up with a title and I have an outline she wrote, but no time to devote to it.

I am sorry that you consider us "journalistic hacks" and "the equivalent of ventriloquists dummies", but I assure you I am neither. I am a talented author. That is why I get the money I get for doing it. I have creative vision - always - and I have tremendous integrity and I do a great job for the people I write for. And yes, the money is very good. It allows me the freedom of not having to work and owning a great big white house with a library in it. Pax - C

Valerie Said:

What is the easiest way to learn how to write a screenplay or screenwrite?

We Answered:

Go on ebay, or amazon to get used books. I learned screen writing from Sid Field...Screenwriting I think, and that was a long time ago. There is a book right now you should get, and it's called the Screenwriters bible. It's an awesome book. I've written, and directed two features. "Mint in Box" which I just wrote, and shot. Big mistake. Take time, and swallow your pride on getting someone to proofread, and edit it...yes edit. They will chop it down, and it sucks to say it will help you out in the long run. "3 Ways to Sunday" was my next movie that should be out next month I took my time with it, and had it edited down almost 20 pages. It was upsetting, but ended being the best thing for it. Lesson learned, and saved me a lot of money. My next one is going to be even better, as I've learned so much.

ADVICE: Keep the cussing at a minimum. That is the best advice I can give you especially if you are just starting. When you're big and famous it will be ok...if you are going to use cuss words, have the villain use them more than the characters you want your audience to like. I used a lot of cuss words because I was writing natural dialogue like me, and my friends talked when we were growing up, but audiences get bored with that after a while. They want to focus on the story instead of wondering why they talk like that.

Proof read...have someone else read it. Remember you are writing for people to read. Don't let your mom read it 'cause she'll just tell you how good it is. Get honest feedback. And learn from it. Keep it short...break it up into 3 parts.

Put yourself in a bad situation. Put two of your friends in that same position, and write how all of you would handle it...being in a bank that is being robbed...who would do what? Do one of you know the bank robber? Is one of you guys gonna' try to be a hero? Is one of you gonna' try to run? Things like that.

THE BEST ADVICE: Have fun. Writing saved my life...take care...Armand

Terry Said:

What is a creative title for a story about a ventriloquist?

We Answered:

"Read My Lips"

Francisco Said:

Opinions, Please? (20 Characters.)?

We Answered:

The only reason that the entertainment industry appears to be difficult to get into is because there are so many people trying and failing to get into the industry with a half hearted effort. There is plenty of room in the industry for anyone who is serious about succeeding is willing first prepare themselves, is willing and able to do what is required to succeed and is determined to be the very best they can be and who will resolve not to quit trying until they make it. If you fit that description there is o way you can fail to be a success in the industry because most of the people who say they want a career in the entertainment industry are merely wishing they could succeed but have no idea what it actually takes to succeed. So, in effect, the competition for all those jobs in the entertainment business is really very thing. If you really really really really want it, you can have it because there are so few trying who have adequately prepared themselves and are willing to pay the price required to succeed.

So if you are serious about a career in the entertainment industry, why not take some advice from some of the smartest people who have ever lived?

Renowned philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson said "there is nothing capricious in nature and the implanting of a desire indicates that it's gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feels it". In other words, you would not have the desire to be a great entertainer in the first place if you did not already possess the ability to become one.

America's 16th President, Abraham Lincoln said "I will prepare myself and my opportunity must come".

William James, the father of American Psychology said "If a man will only do each day, as best he can, the work that lies before him, he will awake one day to find himself among the competent ones of his generation."

Renowned philosopher Henry David Thoreau said "We have only to move confidently in the direction of our dreams to meet with a success unexpected in common hours".

So, you already have the ABILITY to succeed. IF you spend the time required and PREPARE yourself to succeed, and LEARN everything you can about being a good singer and performer and PRACTICE everyday until you are confident in your abilities and your performance capability, then there is really only one way that you could ever fail as a singer and that is if you just quit trying to succeed.

The late great Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill said NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up! NEVER, give up! NEVER! - If you follow the advice of these great thinkers, there is really no way that you can fail.

So, stop listening to al the people who have already given up their dreams who are eager to tell you have hard it is and just go do it!

Melanie Said:

Fellow writers please evaluate this piece of writing! PLEASE!!?

We Answered:

This is very clever. A personified book's point of view. I am a librarian assistant who watches exactly what you describe. Kids sitting in front of screens, playing games and checking their facebooks. Thankfully reading (and writing) isn't gone yet! With teachers giving summer reading lists to their classes of classic books, kids are still being exposed to great literature. Your piece is very good! Now "edit,edit,edit..." (as I've heard many a professional writer say)