Why don’t you write your own books?

One of the first questions I am asked as a ghostwriter is why I don’t write my own books. This is followed up with disbelief that I would write an entire book and not have my name emblazoned on the front cover.

In my long career as a journalist, I met some fascinating people. I often had the opportunity to write a mere 300 words on their lives and experience, or sometimes maybe a double page weekend spread, and receive the credit of a byline…sometimes even a photo byline that always made us journos shake our head.

At the beginning of my career, I was driven by the byline. My ego soared when I saw my name on the front page of the paper in the newsstands. When an aunty, uncle, or friend would call to say they read my stories, opinion pieces, and court reports, I felt so proud. I was motivated to get the front page, the breaking news, the stories everyone was talking about – and the byline was one of the main incentives…for this young egomaniac anyway. It was often a competition with other up and coming journos to see whose story would make the front page and we would often go head-to-head pitching to the editor about whose story was more important. I’m glad I can now laugh at that version of myself, although I still admire her enthusiasm and tenacity.

Those days are well and truly over. As soon as I proved myself in the industry, I developed a quiet confidence and left the byline battles to the younger journos. My satisfaction shifted from the ego to a sense of purpose. I wanted to write meaningful stories, about interesting people and events, to help them share their experiences that may have an impact on others. If these stories helped others experiencing a similar situation feel seen and heard, or attracted funding or support, that was better than any byline. That is still my incentive for writing stories for people who are making a difference in the world and sharing their life stories.

I enjoy writing fiction that has not originated from my imagination. It is a fun exercise when someone offers you a story plot, the type of characters they want to bring to life, and how it should unfold. Putting words to this idea is an exciting collaboration. It feels like creating a whole world with another person; assembling pieces of the puzzle; sharing ideas for chapters; and inserting plot twists and unexpected endings. It’s exhilarating sharing that creative experience together.

When I have spare time, I work on my own creative projects and go into this world alone, but there is nothing like sharing the experience and celebrating at the book launch or when the story is published. Only the two of you really understand all of the emotions and decisions that went into creating this piece.

Watching from afar when the author gets their well-deserved byline gives me the same buzz I got from my front-page byline as a young journo. @writeforyouec writeforyou.info

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