by Martie Lownsberry

Created on: November 07, 2009

For those just beginning a career in freelance writing, you will find many opportunities to become a ghostwriter, either on a single project or as a full time job. While the pay can be very lucrative, ghost writing can be for many people a scary business.

Think of ghostwriting as akin to being a surrogate mother. As a writer you pour your talent, your heart, and your soul into every article, every sentence, every word you write. You are there from it's conception to it's birth. You worry and stew over it every step of the way.

Then like any good surrogate mother you give it up never knowing in most cases if it every reaches the full potential that was possible. There is a part of you out there in the world that you can take no credit for and for which you can never claim being a part of it's conception and birth.

In the case of a best selling novel or some other work that achieves popularity knowing you have no claim can sometimes be extremely painful. It is paramount that you be able to keep your perspective and be able to feel pride in a job well done without the need to receive acclaim.

As a ghostwriter you live in a world of shadows and secrets. When accepting a ghostwriting job the first thing you have to do is agree never to divulge that you are the author of the work. It is a secret you must faithfully keep in order to continue on with a career in ghostwriting. You are the person who will remain behind the scenes.

Ghostwriting can also be a bit frightening in the aspect that you must be able to adapt to other people's idea of what your writing should entail. While some clients will give you a topic and let you develop it your own way, others have a long list of demands you must follow. You must have the ability to go with the flow and, sometimes, you need to be able to understand or predict what a client wants when they aren't sure themselves.

For all that, ghostwriting has it's benefits. More than you would suppose. For one thing, the pay can be lucrative. There are full time opportunities for ghostwriters that can bring you a steady paycheck doing the writing you love.

You often get recognition from your clients as well, not just in the income you receive but in thank you emails and even in recommendations to others who may require your services.

You can pretty much set your own hours although you do need to meet deadlines, and you can also write under your own articles or books under your own name.

While ghostwriting is not for everyone, it is certainly an aspect of freelance writing that you should consider if you are just beginning a writing career.

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