How to Ghostwrite Well

For nearly a year, I have been professionally ghostwriting for a client whose views, audience, and core messages are significantly different from my own. Most of what I write under my client's name is content that I would have never produced myself on my own volition. Ghostwriting is a challenge even for clients whose views are much like my own, but the true challenge of ghostwriting arises when I must create content that diverges sharply from my own voice.

Nevertheless, I believe that I have mastered the art of successful ghostwriting, and my client is wholly satisfied with the work I am creating under his name. Here are the most important tips for writers who want to learn to ghostwrite well.

1. Establish yourself as a writer. You can't write under someone else's voice until you have completely established your own. Ghostwriting, without a background in writing, is like attending graduate school without first getting an undergrad degree. You can only write effectively as another person after you've learned to write effectively as yourself.

2. Play a character. If you have ever written fiction, think of a ghostwritten manuscript as a long quotation from a fictional character. In this case, however, the "fictional" character is a real person who you are choosing to represent. As you ghostwrite, be entirely mindful that you are writing in someone else's voice-- just as you are writing in someone else's voice when you author the words of fictional characters.

3. Get to know your client. Your chances of successful ghostwriting are much better if you have become intimately familiar with your client's personality. Read anything that your client has written-- emails, letters, summaries, even text messages-- so that you can completely grasp her voice, syntax and diction. During work-related meetings, pay attention to your client's speech patterns and body language. These will all help you to understand your client well enough to emulate his language.

4. Dedicate your time and effort. If you're looking for an easy, lucrative gig, skip ghostwriting entirely. If you're looking for a challenging but stable and rewarding job, write on. Effective ghostwriting can only come from authors who are completely willing to dedicate the time, effort and energy needed to get the job done well. Set aside time every day for ghostwriting and stick to your goals religiously.

5. Expand your horizons. If you find that you have a knack for ghostwriting, don't limit yourself to one or two clients or one or two brief jobs. The ability to ghostwrite well is fairly rare, and is a skill that should never be wasted. Look for new clients and new opportunities as you see fit, and constantly strive to improve your skills. Over time, you will find that your ability to ghostwrite expands exponentially-- along with your paycheck.