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Work, Life & Everything Else

by Becky Bond 19 Feb, 2024
I was invited onto the Lessons from Loss podcast recently. We talked about the power of sharing our experiences to help others and ourselves. I was a bit nervous at first, but the lovely host, Rachel Smith, soon put me at ease. You can listen by clicking the picture above or here .  This is Rachel's blurb about it: In this episode I'm in conversation with author, ghostwriter and journalist Becky Bond. Becky is passionate about giving people's stories a voice and she does this brilliantly in two ways. Through her ghostwriting she captures people's stories, and her first ghostwriting opportunity happened when she wrote an article about former paramedic, Georgina Hurst. After an horrific car crash caused by her boyfriend, Georgina rebuilt her life from scratch, learning to walk, talk and eat again. She is now a pole dancer. When Georgina read the piece, she asked Becky if she would help with her book. 'Unbroken: The Woman who Walked Again’ was published in 2021. Becky then received a message from a man called Richie who was ready to share his own truth, but didn’t know how or where to start with his story of abuse, childhood prostitution and the failing care system. His book ‘Richie: Who Cares?' was published in 2022 and is currently being optioned for film and television. More recently Becky has developed a service called 'Your Story Your Voice' wherein she beautifully captures a recorded slice of personal history for future generations to enjoy. We cover the importance of telling our stories, the impact of not doing so, and the joy of having something captured of those we love for when they have passed.
Your Story, Your Voice
by Becky Bond 20 Sept, 2023
Your Story Your Voice is a unique, fun and easy way of capturing a slice of personal history for future generations. Over a pot of tea or glass of wine, you can share stories about your life; poignant moments, achievements, loves, losses and everything in between. I’ll pop a small broadcast-quality microphone nearby, then prompt and guide you along in a conversational interview. When we’re finished, I’ll make a few edits back at home, then put it on a memory stick for you to keep or gift to loved ones. FAQ How long will it take? Set aside a morning, afternoon or evening. The final recording is usually around two hours but this allows for a bit of setting up time. Where will the recording take place? Wherever you feel the most comfortable, so usually your home. Can my partner, friend or another family member join in on the recording? Absolutely. Three people is probably the maximum though, to ensure a quality recording. Do I need to prepare anything? It is useful to jot down a few bullet points but I will email a short list of topic ideas beforehand. We can also have a pre-interview chat on the phone. When will I be able to hear it? I will email you a link within a week. If you are happy with everything, I’ll then save it onto a memory stick. What if I said something that on reflection I’d like to take out? That’s fine. I can make edits before saving it onto a memory stick. Everything is confidential. Will the recordings be broadcast anywhere? No. They are for your personal use, but you can share them on your own social media platforms. Could I do this via Zoom? Yes. Though the sound quality tends not to be quite as good as an in-person interview. Could I get a written transcription of the final interview? Yes. I offer this as an add-on service. Can I buy this as a gift? Yes. I can email or post a gift voucher. The recipient then just needs to contact me to schedule a date and time to suit them. What are the costs? Interview, edit & one memory stick in a gift box: £199 Additional memory stick in a gift box: £15-£30 Written transcription: £130-£160 Travel expenses may apply outside West Yorkshire Where can I find out more, hear some examples and book? Just click www.yourstoryyourvoice.co.uk
by Becky Bond 12 Sept, 2023
Ghostwriting is a collaboration between someone who wants to write a book (the author) and someone who can help them achieve that goal (the ghostwriter). People use ghostwriters for a variety of reasons - from not having enough time to write it themselves, to feeling over-faced with where to start, or just the simple fact that writing isn't their strength. The nature of the job means that, as the customer, you can choose whether or not you want people to know you have had a guiding hand in the process. Discretion is key and nobody need ever know. On the other hand, some people prefer to let their readers know that their book has been a joint effort. Every project is different, but it usually begins with an initial conversation about the story itself and the main purpose of the book (i.e. to help others through sharing an experience, to boost a business, to expose a truth or as a legacy project for family and friends). The subject matter might be timely, so a tight turnaround could be in order, or a looser deadline might suit better, allowing the pieces to fall into place more organically. It is important to find a ghostwriter who you feel comfortable with because not only are you are placing your story in their hands, but throughout the process, there will be quite a lot of communication. Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable about picking up the telephone for the odd clarification. Here's how 'Unbroken: The Woman who Walked Again' took shape: Once terms and a deadline were agreed, the author (Georgina) and I met face to face and over zoom for a series of interviews. These were all recorded to keep the conversation flowing and natural. Georgina gradually shared her story and I used my journalistic skills to dig deeper, guiding her into areas she may not have originally thought about. I then transcribed each interview for Georgina to read back and check. I also interviewed a handful of other people who were integral to her story. Older documents and photographs were unearthed and a timeline and structure were planned. I had already spoken to a publisher who was keen to work with us and guide us through the process. Then I began writing and Georgina could relax for a while. Like any book, there were drafts and re-drafts until everybody was happy. Then the publisher made the final tweaks, set the pages and chapters, designed the cover and blurb and sent it off to the printing company. Some ghostwriters already have media contacts and can utilise them for promotion (like myself). Or an author may choose to employ a publicist to help with that side of things. It is generally a collaborative affair between the author, ghostwriter, publisher and publicist. Then it's all systems go.
by Becky Bond 01 Sept, 2023
Ilkley Literature Festival is celebrating it's 50th year this autumn with a golden line-up of writers, authors, well-known faces and masters of their craft. I'm thrilled to be back in the hotseat on stage again, hosting four fascinating people, whose books I'm currently diving into, in preparation:
by Becky Bond 25 Aug, 2023
It really does make me happy when readers enjoy my books so much that they take the time to leave a rating and review. 'Richie: Who Cares?' has received some fabulous 5 star feedback on amazon . Here are some screenshots of my favourite reviews so far.
by Becky Bond 04 Jul, 2023
One of the reasons I love being a freelancer is the variety of projects I get to work on. For Audio Always , I spent time brainstorming ideas with other radio producers for this fabulous podcast series with Nicky Campbell. This is the blurb for the series: What does it mean to be different? Is it how we think? Or how we act? In this BBC podcast, Nicky Campbell explores just that with guests who are extraordinarily different. All the episodes are fascinating, but I particularly enjoyed helping out with one called The Old Gods , where Nicky travelled to a remote cottage in the Highlands to meet Tonks, a Hedge witch. They talked spells, religion and being menaced by the celtic gods. Check out the series: Different with Nicky Campbell
by Becky Bond 06 Jun, 2023
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of opening that first box of copies of your brand-new book. Seeing the front cover in real life, holding it in your hands and smelling the fresh print as you flick through the pages. Finally, you’ve done it. Except, not quite. There’s a whole other chapter once your words are out there. Most people who decide to write a book see it not as the end goal, but as a tool for something else…
by Becky Bond 22 May, 2023
How stepping on an IED changed Giles Duley's life WARNING: This article contains graphic descriptions of injury, violence and war When photojournalist Giles Duley became a triple amputee while embedded with a unit in Afghanistan in 2011, his life changed - for the better. “I stepped on an IED and was thrown in the air. I didn’t lose consciousness. It was absolute silence… but I remember a big white heat and looking up at the sky where I could see parts of me in the tree above.” As the medivac helicopter whisked him away, he had a flash forward... To read more or to listen to Nicky Campbell's fascinating interview with Giles Duley on his 'Different' podcast, click here .
by Becky Bond 13 Dec, 2022
'Richie: Who Cares?' is a classic example of how a story, well told, can reach a wide audience across a broad range of media. When it was published in June 2022, Richie was interviewed for television, radio and newspapers. Six months on, there is still media interest. Last weekend, he shared his story on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001g2vr (interview begins 40 minutes and 24 seconds)
by Becky Bond 17 Oct, 2022
I love literature festivals. As a reader, there's always a handful of authors I want to see. As a writer, I enjoy the variety of workshops with experts in their field. And of course, as someone who loves to meet interesting people, it's great to get on stage for an in-depth Q & A. I had a great chat with Simon Mayo at Ilkley Literature Festival recently. As well as dicussing his excellent new thriller, Tick Tock , we talked about his long career in broadcasting, his route into writing and how he felt when he met Prince William to collect his MBE.
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