Published Authors: your opinion of ghostwriters? See details.?

Question

Are they the equivalent of a ventriloquist's dummy, i.e. just writing down what someone else tells them, embellishing it with a more literary style? Do they retain creative vision in writing an "as told to" type story? If it's not their original idea like a novel, for instance, does that make them more of a journalistic hack? Last question: do they do this for "quick" money while pursuing their own endeavors or are they more limited in their scope and talent?

Persiphone_Hellecat: I don't know why you have the idea I'm bitter. The question was an academic one author friends and I have been discussing without a satisfactory resolution to the concept. The majority of my group's opinion is if we need to rely on a celebrity's name to get our own work out faster, than we're either (a) in need of more polishing, or (b) in a hurry for recognition. Comparing your ideas of presenting ideas for review and consideration sounds, well, almost corporate. As for "unabridged editor": it also seems a sop for someone's ego who has put tremendous time and effort into someone else's work. This isn't a personal attack so please don't misconstrue my next comment: unabridged editor is like calling a common street hooker a well-place call girl. It's all semantics, isn't it? Congratulations on your success and best wishes for the future.

Answer 1

Nope. Not at all. There are many people who have great ideas but they don't have writing skills. They turn to someone who does. A ghostwriter. I am one. I ghostwrite for a very well known sports personality. I have done two children's books for him already sold to a major NYC publisher (top 5) and I am currently working on a Young Adult book. My Uncle was a qhostwriter as well.

The two of us sit together and discuss his ideas. I contribute many myself. Together we put together the storyline and then I write it. The second one I did has a lot of my own personal vision. What often happens is you take this freefloating idea and figure out the direction to take it in. You develop the theme - turn an idea into a story. I also work with the illustrator, developing the concepts for the drawings to fit the story. It is a team effort. By the way, a lot of people now use the term "unabridged editor" which indicates that I am both editing and assisting in the writing of the book. James Patterson uses "unabridged authors" all the time. He gives them front cover credit. Once these two books fulfill this sports figure's contract, I will be getting cover credit as well.

No, I do not do this for quick money. It really isn't quick money. I get an advance just like any other author, but I will get a percentage of the royalties when the books come out. In the meantime, I write for myself. I write murder mystery novels in my own name. My Uncle ghosted autobiographies and wrote military non-fiction in his own name.

Quite honestly, it is a great foot in the door. I have written children's work in the past but was unable to sell it. The children's market is the toughest of all. However, now I have a great contact and have gotten my work noticed by a top 5 NYC publisher. Yes, they are aware of me. The sport star has the name to get these books done. Most celebrities do.

Your post sounds a little bit bitter. Have you ever considered ghosting? I have another project sitting here in my files -- a woman who wants her life story written. It is very interesting and challenging and a great story, but right now, I just do not have the time to do it for her. I did an interview with her, came up with a title and I have an outline she wrote, but no time to devote to it.

I am sorry that you consider us "journalistic hacks" and "the equivalent of ventriloquists dummies", but I assure you I am neither. I am a talented author. That is why I get the money I get for doing it. I have creative vision - always - and I have tremendous integrity and I do a great job for the people I write for. And yes, the money is very good. It allows me the freedom of not having to work and owning a great big white house with a library in it. Pax - C

Answer 2

nicely, i myself do no longer see myself being a broadcast author as quickly as I strengthen up. it is not possibly profession decision, or maybe even with the shown fact that it style of appears like I truthfully have continuously enjoyed writing, for some reason, being and author in no way occurs to me. i assume that helps me end my memories and keep writing. I write for the exciting of it and not because of the fact i think of or desire it is going to get me printed interior the destiny. whilst publishing isn't even in my radar, i think of it helps me concentration on merely writing and recuperating because of the fact i desire to, even even with the shown fact that it is not going to get me lots interior the long-term. i'm getting to know to play piano, and that i sing too. yet i myself do no longer plan on that being a profession direction the two. i like to sing and play, yet I merely in no way observed myself doing that. So, that makes it greater elementary to maintain at it, because of the fact i'm doing because of the fact as quickly as upon a time, I made a dedication, pronounced i had to do some thing. and that i continuously attempt to end what I initiate. i think that in case you like some thing sufficient, you will flow a mountain to get it. That keeps me going. BQ: sturdy. have been given to work out a chum who i've got no longer considered in like a 12 months. :) BQ2: Freak out, yell slightly, and then attempt to discover my young ones. BQ3: i'm no longer completely constructive what i desire to do. legal professional has been obtainable because of the fact i substitute into 6 (family members's theory, and that i like debating), greater these days, psychiatrist (got here upon my love of psychology), and perhaps indoors clothier? somebody reported that greater these days. I could desire to make each thing notably. So, i do no longer understand. Time will tell.