What Exactly Is A Ghost Writer?
The answer that you get to that question really depends a lot on who you are asking.
A happily enthusiastic CEO of a well known publishing house once referred to me as "the invisible, all-knowing, unsung hero, carefully well hidden behind the velvet curtain, giving an audible and readable voice to the functionally mute celebrities that the world so desperately wants to hear from!"
That sounds pretty darned good to me. I must admit, I really do like that little explanation, but believe me, some opinions aren't anywhere near that respectful or positive.
I once read a scathing comment by another professional writer, actually a journalist, who judgingly referred to "Ghost Writers" as "those insecure little "chicken sh*ts" that hide away in the shadows, collecting an occasional token crumb that falls from the table of the famous people who amass riches and popularity from their "ventriloquist" like writings that are sadly and unwittingly perceived by a "duped" society to be the actual spoken words of mere lifeless, wooden dummies."
Ouch!!!! I gotta tell ya the truth, I really don't like that quote all that very much at all, but hey, its how some people see things, so I owe it to you to honestly bring you both sides of the story.
You see, in reality, both opinions are actually correct in their own way and in the vast majority of the cases, the truth generally id found somewhere in the middle of those two overly energized, polar extremes.
A "Ghost Writer" is a specialist who is somehow able to completely set his or her own unique, personal style, genre and voice aside in order to be effectively capable to "write" in the place of, and as if one actually, truly "IS," some famous celebrity, interesting individual or popular person.
For example, let's say that there is a popular musical artist, movie actor, TV star or sports hero who has the "FAME" and "HOT FACTOR" necessary to sell a lot of books, but writing is simply not their forte or one of their "special gifts."
Do you think this person or their management wants to allow this awesome opportunity to cash in with a best seller book, simply slip through their fingers simply because "Ms. Movie Star or Mr. Sports Champion" isn't really very good at turning a clever or memorable phrase, telling a hypnotically mesmerizing story or composing compelling comments for their captivating chronicles?
The answer to that question is a big, definitive NO!
The solution to the problem: "Where's Waldo" ... or in my case, "Where's Larry?"
Why me?
Is it because I'm the greatest writer in the entire history of the known universe?
Gosh, I wish that were true, but I promise you, just spend a few hours in my library and allow me to introduce you to Hemingway, Shakespeare, Huxley, Shelley, Vonnegut, Poe, Woolf, Asimov, Twain, Serling, Blume, Wilde, Burroughs, Austen, Orwell, Tolkien, Faulkner, Dickens, Woolf, Bradbury, Joyce, just to name and I am certain that such an outrageously outlandish idea will be forever tossed from your consciousness for as long as you shall live!
No, ... I may be really, really good, but that's "Really, Really Good" with two "O's," not just one.
Yes, it's true that you need to be a really good writer to be able to successfully take on any possible combination of personality traits, ethnic heritages, ages, origins, life styles, locales, even genders, but that's not the most important quality and characteristic that celebrities, their management and the publishing houses are all desperately looking for.
Yes, the ability to be highly empathetic and to be able to tune in on and become the thoughts, beliefs, character, voice of this person, while simultaneously being sure to completely clear out one's own personal points of view and ways of thinking, talking and being, is a very important factor. While considered an extremely rare ability, that, in fact, is getting harder and harder to find every day, it's still nowhere near being the main issue at hand when it comes to determining why I get the call.
So what is it?
Give up? OK, I'll tell you.
It's all about TRUST and LOYALTY!
That's something that you can't buy and something that you can't just create out of thin air. It takes years and years of absolute, 100% uncompromising ethical, moral and loyal behavior, always being true to the client and never telling a "SOUL" who you are working for and as.
Being a trusted and relied upon "Ghost Writer" is an experience very much like being part of a "Top Secret" government project, with not merely signed legal documentation regulating what can and cannot be said to who, personal, human to human, sworn oaths of loyalty and allegiance to your client and the project, that will never be compromised, even 20 years after the work is finished and published.
If I am contracted to ghost write a book, article, song, poem, short story, screen play, website or a speech as "someone else" and am not just legally bound but sworn to secrecy about that project, I ca NEVER, EVER tell anyone about it, not my family, not my best friend, "NOT ANYBODY!"
That's why I'm called in, because while I am perfectly free to let you know with a sense of pride and appreciation that i have been blessed with the honor and privilege to write for such companies as: Toyota, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Salem Communications, Mazda, Burger King, etc., I cannot and will not ever tell anyone who I have "ghost written" for, ever.
That's why they call. They know in absolute comfort and confidence that in over 30 years, I've never told a single soul even the tiniest speck of information about any of my "Ghost Writing " projects, and I never will. They trust and believe with absolute certainty that "my lips are sealed," even when I one day lay there in my death bed, no one will ever, ever know a thing about it my work as a Ghost Writer!
That's what a REAL "Ghost Writer" is!
Any questions?
Just kidding! (LOL)
Larry ;-)
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry L. Nichols
http://www.wordandwebwiz.com/
http://www.onwordsandupwords.blogspot.com/
http://www.larrylnichols.wordpress.com/
http://www.biz-e-life.com/
Words are my paints - Minds are my canvases.
Showing posts with label ghost-writer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ghost-writer. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Of Course, Not Just "ANY" Words, But "UP" Words!
Yes, it's true, I really do "LOVE" words!
There is nothing as thoroughly satisfying, interesting and worthy of my time than simply working, ... dare I say it, ... "playing" with words!
Always seeking to find the perfectly precise, new, original word combinations to create the very terms and phrases that will effectively present my client's unique and specific message in such a way that is simultaneously, clear, clever, comfortable, concise, complete, creative and of course, compelling.
Only the RIGHT words, in the proper combination and order, can be thoroughly relied upon to create the exact response from the reader / listener that is desired.
So obviously, when it comes to doing what it is that I do best, developing the most efficient way to express your unique message directly to your niche', targeted audience, not all words are equal.
That's where "UP" words come into play. Have you ever experienced a speech that just totally knocks your socks off? A speech so inspirationally motivating and hope inducing, that you simply cannot help but be internally touched, awakened, driven by the power of the message?
Do you think that those awe inspiring, action driving words were purely tossed together randomly by chance, or do you think that maybe someone like me spent 2, maybe 3 days preparing that 15 to 30 minutes of pure, electrifyingly exciting enthusiasm?
How was it done?
It was accomplished with the careful, skillful application and utilization of "UP" words, that when read or spoken in proper combinations and order, create that breath taking sense of wonder and uplifting intensity that can woo crowds, command attention and drive reignited and impassioned souls to the farthest reaches of their ability in order to successfully reach for the stars.
All because someone took the time to align the words in a particular sequence, like a secret, mystical formula, intentionally designed to create what might appear to be a completely abrupt and spontaneous outcome or outbreak of action, but in actuality, all quite carefully planned for by the writer possibly even MONTHS before the words were ever released on the public to effectively do their amazing magic.
Could so many huge, successful companies consistently plan on spending literal millions of dollars daily on advertising campaigns, if they weren't absolutely certain, well in advance, that their copy writer is fully capable of predictably creating precisely the exact response necessary when the commercials are finally released to be broadcast to their specific, niche' targeted audience?
What if you had the opportunity to apply the very same expert strategies that the "Fortune 500" companies use regularly to grow and expand, on your own small to medium sized business or organization?
Would that be something worth seriously considering when seeking some way to somehow help level the playing field while competing with the corporate mega-giants for the very same customers, whose limited, spendable income might more dramatically effect the health of YOUR bottom line, as compared to the bottom line of the those companies that have the money to go out and buy 3 or 4 of those 30 second "Super Bowl" spots?
Is it worth spending a couple minutes discussing your upcoming projects?
Only you can decide what the answer to that question is!
I look forward to you comments and questions!
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry ;-)
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry L. Nichols
http://www.wordandwebwiz.com/
http://www.onwordsandupwords.blogspot.com/
http://www.larrylnichols.wordpress.com/
http://www.biz-e-life.com/
Words are my paints - Minds are my canvases.
There is nothing as thoroughly satisfying, interesting and worthy of my time than simply working, ... dare I say it, ... "playing" with words!
Always seeking to find the perfectly precise, new, original word combinations to create the very terms and phrases that will effectively present my client's unique and specific message in such a way that is simultaneously, clear, clever, comfortable, concise, complete, creative and of course, compelling.
Only the RIGHT words, in the proper combination and order, can be thoroughly relied upon to create the exact response from the reader / listener that is desired.
So obviously, when it comes to doing what it is that I do best, developing the most efficient way to express your unique message directly to your niche', targeted audience, not all words are equal.
That's where "UP" words come into play. Have you ever experienced a speech that just totally knocks your socks off? A speech so inspirationally motivating and hope inducing, that you simply cannot help but be internally touched, awakened, driven by the power of the message?
Do you think that those awe inspiring, action driving words were purely tossed together randomly by chance, or do you think that maybe someone like me spent 2, maybe 3 days preparing that 15 to 30 minutes of pure, electrifyingly exciting enthusiasm?
How was it done?
It was accomplished with the careful, skillful application and utilization of "UP" words, that when read or spoken in proper combinations and order, create that breath taking sense of wonder and uplifting intensity that can woo crowds, command attention and drive reignited and impassioned souls to the farthest reaches of their ability in order to successfully reach for the stars.
All because someone took the time to align the words in a particular sequence, like a secret, mystical formula, intentionally designed to create what might appear to be a completely abrupt and spontaneous outcome or outbreak of action, but in actuality, all quite carefully planned for by the writer possibly even MONTHS before the words were ever released on the public to effectively do their amazing magic.
Could so many huge, successful companies consistently plan on spending literal millions of dollars daily on advertising campaigns, if they weren't absolutely certain, well in advance, that their copy writer is fully capable of predictably creating precisely the exact response necessary when the commercials are finally released to be broadcast to their specific, niche' targeted audience?
What if you had the opportunity to apply the very same expert strategies that the "Fortune 500" companies use regularly to grow and expand, on your own small to medium sized business or organization?
Would that be something worth seriously considering when seeking some way to somehow help level the playing field while competing with the corporate mega-giants for the very same customers, whose limited, spendable income might more dramatically effect the health of YOUR bottom line, as compared to the bottom line of the those companies that have the money to go out and buy 3 or 4 of those 30 second "Super Bowl" spots?
Is it worth spending a couple minutes discussing your upcoming projects?
Only you can decide what the answer to that question is!
I look forward to you comments and questions!
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry ;-)
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry L. Nichols
http://www.wordandwebwiz.com/
http://www.onwordsandupwords.blogspot.com/
http://www.larrylnichols.wordpress.com/
http://www.biz-e-life.com/
Words are my paints - Minds are my canvases.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Who Is Larry L. Nichols?
"Who is Larry L. Nichols?"
Great question, thanks for asking.
Lets' see, how can I wrap 3 decades of loyal "word wielding" into a single blog post?
OK, how about this?
For the past several years, I've spent the vast majority of my time serving as a corporate / celebrity "ghost writer." In this capacity, I was blessed with the most amazing opportunities to learn and apply numerous vital and highly significant truths about business, marketing & even more importantly, about PEOPLE and precisely what "makes them tick!"
I'm forever grateful for those years spent rubbing elbows with so many well respected, admired, renowned and established "Movers & Shakers" such as Toyota, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Burger King, Mazda & Salem Communications, just to name a few.
Under the constant constraints of covertly caustic, confrontational corporate consciousness and conglomerate compartmentalization, I developed my skills of applying and conceiving a palatable plethora of powerfully productive, proven, practical and profitable principals.
Yes, for those of you paying attention, the art of absurd alliteration ad-nauseum seems to be practice that for some reason has become highly valued and much sought out in the current world of "modern, multi-media marketing management" (OMG, he isn't going to stop, is he?) but one I am quite happy to now "holster" and use sparingly within reason and taste, now that I have returned to the REAL world! ;-)
And that my friend is what this is all about, my deep desire to return to the REAL world, helping REAL people develop REAL solutions to the REAL problems they daily encounter while pursuing their dreams, running their own, personal small to medium sized business and trying to balance that out with living a happy, satisfying life in the process.
Now I'm here, having fun, making friends & developing some awesome, long-term, trusted business relationships, working shoulder to shoulder with a nice collection of interesting and enjoyable"Independent Entrepreneurs," seeking a little guidance through the confusing & treacherous "Quicksands & Quagmires" of online business growth, expansion and promotion.
Are you someone who is looking for some help with a custom designed marketing message that's comfortable, creative, clear, concise & cleverly compelling?
Let's Talk!
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry L. Nichols
http://www.wordandwebwiz.com/
http://www.onwordsandupwords.blogspot.com/
http://www.larrylnichols.wordpress.com/
http://www.biz-e-life.com/
Words are my paints - Minds are my canvases.
Great question, thanks for asking.
Lets' see, how can I wrap 3 decades of loyal "word wielding" into a single blog post?
OK, how about this?
For the past several years, I've spent the vast majority of my time serving as a corporate / celebrity "ghost writer." In this capacity, I was blessed with the most amazing opportunities to learn and apply numerous vital and highly significant truths about business, marketing & even more importantly, about PEOPLE and precisely what "makes them tick!"
I'm forever grateful for those years spent rubbing elbows with so many well respected, admired, renowned and established "Movers & Shakers" such as Toyota, McDonald's, Chevrolet, Burger King, Mazda & Salem Communications, just to name a few.
Under the constant constraints of covertly caustic, confrontational corporate consciousness and conglomerate compartmentalization, I developed my skills of applying and conceiving a palatable plethora of powerfully productive, proven, practical and profitable principals.
Yes, for those of you paying attention, the art of absurd alliteration ad-nauseum seems to be practice that for some reason has become highly valued and much sought out in the current world of "modern, multi-media marketing management" (OMG, he isn't going to stop, is he?) but one I am quite happy to now "holster" and use sparingly within reason and taste, now that I have returned to the REAL world! ;-)
And that my friend is what this is all about, my deep desire to return to the REAL world, helping REAL people develop REAL solutions to the REAL problems they daily encounter while pursuing their dreams, running their own, personal small to medium sized business and trying to balance that out with living a happy, satisfying life in the process.
Now I'm here, having fun, making friends & developing some awesome, long-term, trusted business relationships, working shoulder to shoulder with a nice collection of interesting and enjoyable"Independent Entrepreneurs," seeking a little guidance through the confusing & treacherous "Quicksands & Quagmires" of online business growth, expansion and promotion.
Are you someone who is looking for some help with a custom designed marketing message that's comfortable, creative, clear, concise & cleverly compelling?
Let's Talk!
"On Words And Up Words"
Larry L. Nichols
http://www.wordandwebwiz.com/
http://www.onwordsandupwords.blogspot.com/
http://www.larrylnichols.wordpress.com/
http://www.biz-e-life.com/
Words are my paints - Minds are my canvases.
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