Is Ghostwriting a Good Job?

Fellow wanderers of the digital realm, I would like to share with you something that’s been heavy on my heart recently. How much I am totally in love with my job!! 

I get asked all the time if ghostwriting is a good job and whilst ghostwriting isn’t everything I do, it’s pretty much my favourite thing in the world (except maybe peanut butter brownies, but it’s a very close one). From speaking to other writers I’ve deduced (eat your heart out Sherlock Holmes) that most writers either think ghostwriting is the ultimate gig or just another day in the writing trenches. 

As someone who's navigated the choppy waters of the freelance world for a little world now, I've found myself pondering my love of ghostwriting more than a few times lately

In my opinion ghostwriting is like being handed the keys to a literary kingdom, where your words have the power to shape destinies and ignite imaginations (urgh, yuck, okay that was pretty cliche sorry). 

But is it all sunshine and rainbows, or are there storm clouds lurking on the horizon? 

Working with clients from all walks of life, I've had the pleasure of diving headfirst into topics ranging from astrophysics (not my cup of tea despite my love of The Big Bang Theory) to zumba dancing (yes, you read that right). Each project is like a puzzle waiting to be solved, a mystery begging to be unravelled. But amidst the excitement lies a nagging question: is ghostwriting just a pit stop on the road to literary greatness, or is it a destination worth staying for?

Here's the thing: ghostwriting isn't for the faint of heart. It's like walking a tightrope between creative freedom and client expectations, balancing the delicate art of storytelling with the practicalities of meeting deadlines and staying true to someone else's vision (and washing your husband's pants on your lunch break because you’re working from home). 

As someone who's weathered the storms of bullying and discrimination, I've found solace and strength in the power of words. Because I have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the nuances of office politics were always a foreign language to me, and the social cues that came so naturally to others felt like a maze I couldn't navigate. This led to me often feeling very depressed and anxiety riddled in my previous 9-5. 

Ghostwriting (and writing in general) for me wasn't just a job—it was a lifeline, a beacon of light in the darkness. It allowed me to escape the confines of my own mind and the label that society had placed on me because of my ASD diagnosis and step into the shoes of others, to see the world through their eyes and tell their stories with compassion and empathy. It was a reminder that my voice mattered, even though so many people had tried to convince me that it didn’t.

So, is ghostwriting a good gig? Well, that depends on who you ask. For me, it's been a wild ride filled with lots of writing highs, a few small lows, and more caffeine than I care to admit (btw, my other love is iced coffee). But amidst the chaos, there's a sense of fulfilment that comes from breathing life into someone else's story, from channelling their voice and vision onto the page. In my opinion, for those willing to embrace the challenge, it's a journey of self-discovery and creative exploration unlike any other.

So, wordsmiths and dreamers, if you find yourself at a crossroads in your writing journey, wondering if ghostwriting is the right path for you, my advice is simple: dive in headfirst and see where the adventure takes you. Who knows, you might just discover a hidden passion and embark on a thrilling new chapter in your career. As for me? I'll be here, iced coffee in hand, ready to tackle whatever story comes my way.

Looking for a career change or just want some advice, maybe I can help! Click here to book a free, remote 1:1 consultation today!