Why Ghostwriting?

My ghostwriting journey all started one day when I was performing a Google search for writing jobs and randomly ran across a post from a freelancing platform. The individual who was looking for a ghostwriter to assist with a memoir lived in an area that I was familiar with and was dealing with a situation that I could definitely sympathize with. It seemed to be a natural connection, so I created an account and reached out. The individual responded shortly afterward and the rest, as they say, is history!

Actually, it did not start that simply. I have been writing for many years within a great variety of different circles, but often in a way where I undercut my own abilities and settled for less when I should have been thinking a lot higher. Honestly, it has taken a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to force me into starting this whole venture on a much more focused and determined level. And that blood, sweat, and tears have definitely not all belonged to me.

When I first heard about ghostwriting, I had to take a step back and think for a minute.

“Wait, what? So someone wants me to write for them and then attach their name to it and say that they wrote it? Isn’t that plagiarism? Is the whole element of ghostwriting just purporting a big, fat, massive lie?”

I admit, I still cringe sometimes when I see certain posts online or get certain requests. Especially because I have been in some academic circles and rubbed shoulders with teachers, I could never imagine handing in a paper or presentation to any of my college professors with a smile, fully knowing that someone else wrote it for me. Even though I have written some horrible material in the past that really bothered me, at least I can go to sleep at night with a clean conscience!

On the other hand, however, there is the good, clean, fun part of ghostwriting that I absolutely can stand behind. It is still a lot of work and takes much attention to detail, and definitely requires a backbone. But it is in this area of writing for others who need some assistance to bring their own dreams to life–whether it be a memoir, a novel, a nonfiction book, or more–I have grown to love.

Perhaps the individual is not a native English speaker or writer, or perhaps they have a great idea but do not have the experience to organize the storyline or structure the words. Whatever the case, I have found that every book or story is an adventure and well worth the journey!

The best part about ghostwriting is dealing with the clients. I love meeting new people and hearing about their adventures, their ups and downs, the life lessons that they have learned, and their growth in resiliency along the way. Truly, everyone has their own story to tell!

So that is my current ghostwriting adventure. And, as they often say, this is my story and I’m sticking to it.

Do you have a great idea that you want to turn into a book? Or have you struggled to face your own story and want to finally talk about it?