The Ghost

I've considered becoming a ghost writer. Everyone has a story, but not everyone has the ability or desire to write it. A person may be intimidated by the process or not feel their story is good enough. But many people have experienced something that would bless, encourage, or inspire others.

If they could just get it on paper.

That's where I come in.

I thought.

I didn't think this through. Story of my life. Taking on someone else's project is not as straightforward as writing their words for them. Writers Online has several helpful points to consider.

1. You should already be published before you seek ghostwriting opportunities. "This makes sense on two levels: firstly, you need to be able to market yourself as a successful and experienced writer to potential clients who will be paying you to write for them. Secondly, you’ll need the experience you’ve acquired so far to navigate through a ghostwriting project. There are many potential problem areas, and you don’t want to spend precious time worrying about the basics of structure, plot and character development when you have contract, creative brief taking and client liaising issues to deal with."

2. It's a business. Writers are creative by nature. Some writers are good at the business side of things; I'm not. Ghostwriting is a business, though, and you need to invest in marketing and networking. Your clients will rely on you to navigate the labyrinth of the publishing process.

3. Become an interviewer. Creative writing and journalism are two different animals, but a ghostwriter needs to brush up on those interviewing skills. "When you take on a new project, understanding how to drill down to exactly the right questions to ask your subject is vital to the success of your writing. You’ll need to know how to guide and control meetings with clients, not just for your professional relationship with them but to ensure that what you write meets your client’s expectations. It is, after all, their project."

4. Your self-discipline will get a work out. As a ghostwriter, you're not writing for yourself. You need to have "the ability to work to deadlines, organize your notes and research and potentially manage multiple projects at once." Pantsers probably need to become Planners for ghostwriting to succeed.

5. Break out of your shell. Many writers would characterize themselves as introverts. We prefer our own company and the worlds we create to interacting with what's outside. "Ghostwriters need to be inquisitive, sociable creatures to succeed." Inquisitive I can handle. That's research, and I love it! Sociable? Not so much.

Ghostwriting is still on the agenda, but not just yet. What's your story? Even if you don't have a ghostwriter, consider writing it down. It may be a story someone else needs to hear.