THE Group for Authors! discussion

I would like everyone's thoughts on Ghost writers?
I personally feel unsure about it and I do not by any means want to be negative towards the writers who become ghost writers.

Please voice your opinion & thoughts~

If it a) paid well and b) didn't mean I would be working 12-14 hour days for 3 months, sure I'd do it.

Oh, and that it wasn't for some reprehensible scumbag of course.

Linda wrote: "In what respect are you "unsure" about it?"

The idea and position of ghost writer's in general, unsure in my point of view if they belong in the literary community linda

Well, why not? I don't know how Linda feels about it, and I often but don't always agree with her, but considering some of the craziness out there, I have no issues with it.

There are all kinds of reasons why someone might employ a ghost, and personally, I'd strongly prefer to read something ghostwritten rather than a good idea that suffers from poor execution. I've never ghosted myself, but I'd certainly be open to it in the right circumstances.

Shouldn't that be the literary Community hazel?

Miss M wrote: "Shouldn't that be the literary Community hazel?"

I honestly I am unsure about ghost writer's in general which is why I posted the question. It was just a thought and I was curious what other people thought about it.

I agree with D.C. to a point. Yes, ghost writing is great for those lacking in bringing their ideas across properly, but if they are able to get it their by themselves for the most part then I believe that's even better. Then again, I've had my own book going through the publishing phase and when they went through and edited it, they helped me better a few areas. So, I guess it really just depends on the degree of help someone needs with their writing.

Ghostwriters are still writers, period. They can still benefit from the support of the community, and I, myself, would never judge them for making what is, essentially, a business decision that works for them.

I've done a lot of work-for-hire and similar work. Not the same thing that the OP is talking about, probably, but I think it's relevant nonetheless. I worked at a small magazine years ago. It was a resource publication for senior citizens specific to a few Maryland markets (Baltimore and surrounding counties). We had some "contributors" - healthcare CEOs, insurance industry execs, and so on - that couldn't make our deadlines, ever. They wanted to participate without actually committing any time to it. So I ended up writing the articles from info they sent me, which were then sent to them for review and fact-checking, and once approved, their names were put on them.

*shrug* CEOs don't always make good writers.

I've done script doctoring that resulted in me writing substantial part of scripts. Work-for-hire, but I didn't care. I knew I wrote it, and that was all that mattered to me. (I actually prefer to work in film without working in film, if that makes any sense. So I'm happy to do work-for-hire in that area.)

I think the only area I wouldn't be willing to let someone else "pay for the credit" would be music. My music is MINE. End of story.

Some people can have an amazing story to tell, but without the skills needed to put it on the page properly. Enter the ghostwriter. Would it be better for those stories to not be told at all? I don't think so. If someone chooses to be a silent partner in those cases, I don't think we should judge them for it. They only thing that really matters is whether they are happy with that choice.

Christina wrote: "Ghostwriters should absolutely be considered members of the writing community and it is rather demeaning to see them in any other light.

The biggest problem with them is usually the 'ethics' issu..."
I agree with you Christina,i have lots of thoughts floating around this one created a good conversation.