So, how did you become a ghostwriter?

There are a few things that seem to happen every time I meet someone and tell them what I do for a living. First, the person inevitably asks me jokingly if being a ghostwriter means that I actually write stories about ghosts (believe me, I’ve heard it more times than I can count). But soon after that I am often asked how I got into the business.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was a child but never thought that I would actually be able to pull it off. It makes sense in a way because the publishing industry isn’t exactly the easiest business to be successful in. If you can even get published, the majority of authors will never have a best-seller. So, I tried to come up with everything else under the sun that I could do with my life. I knew that I wasn’t a nine-to-five type of person (the mere thought makes me cringe!) and I’m definitely creatively inclined. I thought of becoming a fashion designer. However, I found that I love to sketch and come up with ideas but don’t enjoy sewing. I love to decorate so I thought of becoming an interior designer but it just didn’t feel right. I make and sell jewelry and thought of dedicating myself to it fulltime; but again, it just didn’t feel right. In the back of my mind was always that quiet desire to be a writer.

However, the reality of becoming a ghostwriter was really a complete surprise. It was one of those God moments where He just gently pushed me in the right direction. I was meeting with Pastor Dave Ford from my church, World Harvest Community Church, just to talk over coffee about what my post-college plans were (this meeting took place right after my graduation). I talked about my jewelry and how I wished to expand into working with metals and then all of a sudden I just blurted it out… “And my big dream is to be a writer.” I had never told anyone that other than in passing to my parents once or twice. At first I couldn’t even believe I had said it. Then, in a completely unexpected twist, Pastor Dave told me that had wanted to write a book for years and that he wanted me to write it for him. I had never thought of writing for other people before. I had always just thought about what I would say with my own voice. This great opportunity (and what I would later find to be a great pathway into the industry) just simply landed in my lap. So, there it is. No great planning or strategizing. It just happened!

As we started with the process I found that I was really enjoying it. Learning more about Pastor Dave and why it was so important to him to say what he wanted to say was an interesting experience. I recognized that I had been given the chance to put into literary form great ideas that were really going to help its readers. I also realized that while I would still try to get my own books published one day, I had really found a great way to make it as a writer. Now that I have some experience as a ghostwriter, I find that the entire process is fascinating. I love it from the moment authors excitedly tell me about the books they want to write all the way to the end when I hand over the completed manuscripts. One of the more unexpected aspects of this job is that I inevitably develop relationships with the authors I work with. Although I had known Pastor Dave Ford for years, it wasn’t until we started working on his book “Growing the Church: Double in Three to Five Years” that we truly became friends.

I love to tell people about how I got started as a ghostwriter because I think it’s an opportunity to tell people not to brush aside the dreams they have in their hearts. God gives you talents and aspirations for a reason. You’ll be surprised how when you least expect it, a door will open for you and you’ll be given the chance to live the life you want. Your job is to walk through that door and take the chance.