Ah, ghost writing!

At my age, and when I first came across this term, I was certain, convinced even, that the discussion at hand concerned the creation of lines to be read by the dearly departed in some off-brand rewrite of that well known movie starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.

All kidding aside, there are SO many people out there with a story to tell, but who are simply lacking the writing skills necessary to construct the proper document. It's there. It's in their head and their heart. But it does not translate into a legible and enjoyable piece of reading material when pen is put to paper.

Enter the ghost writer!

A ghostwriter is hired to write literary or journalistic works, speeches, or other texts that are officially credited to another person as the author. Celebrities, executives, participants in timely news stories, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, memoirs, magazine articles, or other written material. In music, ghostwriters are often used to write songs, lyrics, and instrumental pieces. Screenplay authors can also use ghostwriters to either edit or rewrite their scripts to improve them.

Usually, there is a confidentiality clause in the contract between the ghostwriter and the credited author that obligates the former to remain anonymous. Sometimes the ghostwriter is acknowledged by the author or publisher for his or her writing services, euphemistically called a "researcher" or "research assistant", but often the ghostwriter is not credited.

So, if you are wondering whether I can do the job for you without taking credit, the answer is an unqualified YES! That's what you pay me for, and that is why the profession exists.

Let's talk about your next step. If that story is itching to get out but cannot find its written voice, call me and start committing it to paper NOW. It's your life; let everyone read about it!