Every Second as a Ghost Writer Makes Me a Better Writer

Being a ghost writer can be a lot of fun, if for no other reason than it is a profession that can afford one the chance to step outside themselves for a while. On my main site Writer Dad, I am constantly writing from behind the walls of a certain perception.

I love writing for Writer Dad. Despite the oft repeated adage that I write without a niche, there is no doubt Writer Dad has a few restrictions that a ghost writer does not. On Writer Dad, I do not swear; I keep within a somewhat narrow list of categories; and I am accountable for every word.

Sometimes it is nice to glide across the page as a ghost writer.

Being a ghost writer allows me to use my writing skills inside someone else’s head. This can be both a tremendous amount of fun and an awful lot of opportunity. It is a wonderful window to open, the chance to write about a subject I know nothing or little about. Oftentimes in the world of a ghostwriter, we are asked to become a temporary expert on a subject we may have little to no familiarity with, prior to writing the article.

When a professional writer familiarizes themselves with a new world, they can treat it as a quick mini lesson in something they would not have otherwise experienced. This is a definite benefit to writing fiction where it is an asset to know at least a little about an awful lot. A ghost writer gets the benefit of research as part of their 9 to 5.

Being a ghost writer also offers a wonderful amount of freedom from the maintenance of one’s voice. Admittedly, I love the attention received for a perfectly crafted piece of writing, and I don’t imagine I would ever want to cast aside the accolades forever. However, being a ghost writer gives me a chance to shed these expectations with an occasional hiatus from the way I am supposed to write, thereby giving me a ticket to test out other types of copy.

Ghostwriting allows me to sharpen my skills while making my mortgage. It isn’t simply about the different subject matter one acquires as a ghost writer, it is about the various styles as well. Let’s take a look at a few of the services a typical ghost writer might offer.

SEO web copy, custom letter writing, press releases,  blog posts, editing and revision, custom speech writing, custom wedding vows, and e-book design – just to name a few.

Sure I would love to spend the remainder of my days writing bestselling fiction, but before I get to that plateau, I’ll have to log in countless hours of practice. In “Outliers,” by Malcom Gladwell, the author states that the difference between the truly remarkable and the simply proficient is the amount of time spent honing their craft. 10,000 hours is the number normally associated with greatness. I am far from logging in such a number, but every second spent being a ghost writer is another making me the best writer I can be.