One of the most common questions I am asked is: "Why did you choose to become a ghostwriter when you can become an author and publish in your own name?"
My reply is often just one word: "Satisfaction".
But there is more to it than satisfaction alone...
Ghostwriters, like myself, make it possible for laymen to share their life experiences, ideas or thoughts. They make it possible for scientists and other experts in specialized fields to share their work, expertise and findings. They help politicians, celebrities and other important people to write their own autobiographies. Without ghostwriters, many of them would never be so well-known to the world, unless, of course, if they all have the time and skills to write it all themselves- which they often don't.
Ghostwriters are often preferred by people to write books for them, not only because they know how to play with words, but also because they have the special powers to listen to them, to be able to sneak in their minds and read more than what they just say, be compassionate, empathetic and friendly with them and to be able to translate their emotions and feelings into words- words that would eventually help the readers feel the same way as we did while we were listening to their stories or experiences.
While I have published a few books in my own name, I find ghostwriting more interesting and more satisfying. That is because I get to know and work with so many other people with brilliant ideas and experiences that I could not have never known own my own. I get the chance to hear stories of people and then jot them down for them to bring their stories alive so the world could read them.
When I write for my clients, I have to use their tone and style. There is absolutely no room for using my style- that simply doesn't work. I have pretend to be an actor and to be in their shoes. I have to be able to use their personality, language, tone and write in their style. That gives me a chance to write in more than just one style. That's just another reason why I like ghostwriting so much.
I have met and written for clients who have such amazing ideas to write about or fascinating experiences to share but lack the skills to write and communicate. I have helped them do just that. I have helped their dreams come true and it has been such a satisfying experience that it cannot be put into words.
There was once a young client of mine who was diagnosed with cancer and was told by doctors that he had only a couple of months or even less to live. Just before he would be no more, he wanted me to help him write his book about his life so other people, especially his own son (who was only 2 years old back then), could find out about his dad's life, who he was and the experiences he had had as a young child. It was an emotional roller coaster ride to write that book for him but once it was done, I couldn't have felt better. It was the least I could do for a dying man.
There was another client of mine who was physically, mentally and sexually abused as a young child by her own relatives. Growing up was hard for her, as you could well imagine. The thought of taking away her own life was always lurking on her mind. She even tried to commit suicide once but in vain. That gave her the idea to man up and fight bravely for herself as nobody around her was going to help. Today, she is a successful life coach. While I was helping her put down her experiences in words, it wasn't easy. I had to imagine going through all that she underwent but, in the end, I knew when others who have been through or are going through similar experiences will be motivated to come forwards and fight for themselves.
I also once wrote a children's story for a foster carer who had helped brighten up the lives of so many unfortunate children who didn't get the childhood they truly deserved to. He had an amazing story that he had told his children ever since they were little, their cousins and all the other children in his care. Now that those children had grown up, he wanted to have the same written down for all the other children out there. He said to me that he was growing old and had this dream to bring the story to the world before it was too late. I helped him do just that and he thanked me with every single word he possibly use. There was nothing more satisfying than doing that story.
These are just some of my experiences. As of today, I have already ghostwritten over 300 books for my clients. Writing each one was a very special experience on its own. I may remain invisible and behind the curtains for the world but I personally know I have helped many my clients, made their dreams come true and made their voices heard....These are all more than enough reasons for me to continue ghostwriting
And if you are still wondering what else is there for me in ghostwriting for others, other than letting them use their name on my work..... it is getting paid well to articulate what my clients cannot. I love writing and what can be better than to be able to earn a living with what you love to do?
My reply is often just one word: "Satisfaction".
But there is more to it than satisfaction alone...
Ghostwriters, like myself, make it possible for laymen to share their life experiences, ideas or thoughts. They make it possible for scientists and other experts in specialized fields to share their work, expertise and findings. They help politicians, celebrities and other important people to write their own autobiographies. Without ghostwriters, many of them would never be so well-known to the world, unless, of course, if they all have the time and skills to write it all themselves- which they often don't.
Ghostwriters are often preferred by people to write books for them, not only because they know how to play with words, but also because they have the special powers to listen to them, to be able to sneak in their minds and read more than what they just say, be compassionate, empathetic and friendly with them and to be able to translate their emotions and feelings into words- words that would eventually help the readers feel the same way as we did while we were listening to their stories or experiences.
While I have published a few books in my own name, I find ghostwriting more interesting and more satisfying. That is because I get to know and work with so many other people with brilliant ideas and experiences that I could not have never known own my own. I get the chance to hear stories of people and then jot them down for them to bring their stories alive so the world could read them.
When I write for my clients, I have to use their tone and style. There is absolutely no room for using my style- that simply doesn't work. I have pretend to be an actor and to be in their shoes. I have to be able to use their personality, language, tone and write in their style. That gives me a chance to write in more than just one style. That's just another reason why I like ghostwriting so much.
I have met and written for clients who have such amazing ideas to write about or fascinating experiences to share but lack the skills to write and communicate. I have helped them do just that. I have helped their dreams come true and it has been such a satisfying experience that it cannot be put into words.
There was once a young client of mine who was diagnosed with cancer and was told by doctors that he had only a couple of months or even less to live. Just before he would be no more, he wanted me to help him write his book about his life so other people, especially his own son (who was only 2 years old back then), could find out about his dad's life, who he was and the experiences he had had as a young child. It was an emotional roller coaster ride to write that book for him but once it was done, I couldn't have felt better. It was the least I could do for a dying man.
There was another client of mine who was physically, mentally and sexually abused as a young child by her own relatives. Growing up was hard for her, as you could well imagine. The thought of taking away her own life was always lurking on her mind. She even tried to commit suicide once but in vain. That gave her the idea to man up and fight bravely for herself as nobody around her was going to help. Today, she is a successful life coach. While I was helping her put down her experiences in words, it wasn't easy. I had to imagine going through all that she underwent but, in the end, I knew when others who have been through or are going through similar experiences will be motivated to come forwards and fight for themselves.
I also once wrote a children's story for a foster carer who had helped brighten up the lives of so many unfortunate children who didn't get the childhood they truly deserved to. He had an amazing story that he had told his children ever since they were little, their cousins and all the other children in his care. Now that those children had grown up, he wanted to have the same written down for all the other children out there. He said to me that he was growing old and had this dream to bring the story to the world before it was too late. I helped him do just that and he thanked me with every single word he possibly use. There was nothing more satisfying than doing that story.
These are just some of my experiences. As of today, I have already ghostwritten over 300 books for my clients. Writing each one was a very special experience on its own. I may remain invisible and behind the curtains for the world but I personally know I have helped many my clients, made their dreams come true and made their voices heard....These are all more than enough reasons for me to continue ghostwriting
And if you are still wondering what else is there for me in ghostwriting for others, other than letting them use their name on my work..... it is getting paid well to articulate what my clients cannot. I love writing and what can be better than to be able to earn a living with what you love to do?
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