I came across an interesting piece by US News & World Report on ghostwriting as desirable work. I was delighted to see that the writer of this piece has exactly the same perspective on ghostwriting as we do at Griffith Publishing. My favorite sentence: “You’re writing your clients’ ideas, not your own, and in their voice, not yours.” First rule of ghostwriting: be SURE you agree with your author on all points covered in the book. You don’t want to get into debates or arguments while you’re writing the book.
Amusing, the suggestion in this piece that the best way to start ghostwriting may be to call a famous person you respect and offer to ghostwrite that person’s autobiography. Let’s see. I have 20 such names on my “to call” list. I’ll call Barack Obama tonight, and tomorrow I’ll see if T. Boone Pickens could spare me an hour or so. I’m sure Bill Gates has time on his hands these days. I’ll call him Friday morning.
Life as a ghostwriter can be hectic since you can’t take on more than a couple projects at a time, and they don’t line up nicely just as you have time and need more money. So the graph of your income zooms up to the top and then to rock bottom.
Also, it’s not true that people who ask you to ghostwrite a book for them have all the information you need. Even if they have it in their heads, you have to draw it out and ask pointed questions to get the facts needed to complete the story.
Still, I love ghostwriting. I think I’ll be ready for another project by February or March of next year.
My biggest hurdle is being careful not to take on a project unless I have a strong hunch that I’ll like the person and will enjoy working with him or her. Disregard the chemistry, and trouble will tumble after you.
Brought to you by Griffith Ghostwriting.
Tags: celebrity ghostwriting, ghostwriting, ghostwriting chemistry, life as a ghostwriter
