This obituary of ghostwriter-to-the-stars Sandford Dody has stayed with me since I read it in July. Dody ghostwrote books for Bette Davis, Robert Merrill, and Helen Hayes, among others. Yet, it made him deeply unhappy. This Wall Street Journal piece says he wrote, "After all, how can one become a ghost without dying a little?"
I think it's difficult for some people to create work and put someone else's name on it. I don't share that view when it comes to ghosting. I love helping people find the right words to tell their stories or share their ideas. But that doesn't make them any less their stories or ideas. I didn't live the experiences. I didn't formulate the thoughts. Whether I'm ghosting a book, opinion piece, or speech, the majority of it comes from someone else's brain. I help them say what they want to say in ways which other people want to read or hear.
What do you think about Dody's view of ghosting? Weigh in in the Comments section.
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I think the guy sounds like he wishes he'd written his own book. I'm not familiar with him or his work, so I don't really know. Just guessing. I wouldn't have a problem with ghosting myself. Like you, Gwen, I like being able to help people tell their stories--in whatever format possible.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he felt that he was always in the background and that the people he was ghostwriting for got all the glory?
ReplyDeleteJR Nuerge
Eco-friendly+Eco-nomical=Eco-fabulous!
http://www.jrnuerge.com
I agree. I have a project on hold that involves ghosting for a dear friend and I do not mind one little bit that my name may not be on the cover in big bold letters. I know I wrote it and the people that matter most to me know that too......Mind you the recognition is also nice!
ReplyDelete"After all, how can one become a ghost without dying a little?"
ReplyDeleteWow, that statement will really stick with me. I can see how that would be true if you mostly write for other people - you pour so much into your writing, and then someone else gets credit for it. I've never been in that situation, though.
My first writing assignment was a ghostwriting gig--got me hooked on writing. And I agree with you, ghosting didn't make me "die a little" in fact I think it helped me live a little.
ReplyDeleteI agree that helping someone does NOT make it less of their story. Every good writer (even the best) has people behind him or her -- if they are not ghostwriters, they are editors, publishers, spouses, friends, etc. Every person's story is really some kind of collaboration...
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for a blog! I just "ghostwrote" an op-ed, based on someone's research, to get the word out about a cause I believe in. I did this on a volunteer basis, to make the article as effective as possible, but it did seem strange not to attach my name to it at all. I look forward to reading this blog on a regular basis ....
ReplyDeleteI can understand his perspective. I think the reason I became a writer was to see my name in print, and only as I've matured have I found the enjoyment in helping others find their voice and have it shine through. Although for me it's as an editor, I can imagine that ghostwriting is similar.
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