A Day in the Life of a Self-Help and Spirituality Ghostwriter
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to spiritual practice. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I wanted to be a nun, a Sufi mystic, a yogi, or a dharma bum. I ended up getting a taste of all of those paths by becoming a self-help and spirituality ghostwriter.
Do I have the best job in the world? I certainly think so. Writing books for others has been a privilege and an education. I love helping authors who are helping others with their work.
Here’s a typical day in my life as a self-help and spirituality ghostwriter:
Morning Meditation
I couldn’t do what I do without having my own meditation practice. Not because I think you need to be an expert meditator in order to be a good writer—but because my work scares the crap out of me, and meditation helps to calm and focus my mind enough to face that fear.
Sitting still, watching my breath, I remember that I’m part of life—not separate from it, and not in control of it, either. By the end of my sit, I always feel better equipped to begin.
Invocation
I’m a little hesitant to share this because it sounds so cheesy, but when I sit down to work on a book, I often close my eyes and take a moment to silently invoke the qualities I want to bring to the project. May I bring my highest self to this work today. May I be sincere, truthful, humble, and hardworking. May I be patient, diligent, and compassionate.
Reminding myself of the qualities I want to bring to my work puts me in a state of calm, and helps clear up any fear or anxiety I have about facing the blank page, working for a “famous” person, or failing to find the right words.
Author Number One – The Shaman
I start my work day by reviewing and editing the audio transcripts from an interview with a Central American shaman I’m working with. English is his second language, and he has a delightful way of phrasing things. I make note of the way he speaks so I can capture his distinctive voice in the book.
The purpose of the interview was to flesh out missing context for his book, and he came through big time with all the facts, details, and stories I need. I’m thrilled!
Author Number Two – The Meditation Teacher
Next, I do some background research for a meditation teacher’s book about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. I read the articles she’s published on the subject, listen to relevant podcasts and interviews, and to recordings of the classes she’s taught at various dharma centers.
As I review these materials, I start to perceive a possible shape for her book. I sketch an outline, making note of where different stories, discussions, and pieces of information might go.
Author Number Three — The Memoirist
After taking a break for lunch and some gardening, I finish my work day by meeting on Zoom with an author who is writing a spiritual memoir. We discuss his purpose for writing the memoir, and he tells me about his meditation practice as well as his favorite spiritual authors. Later, I’ll download a few of the books he mentioned and read them to gain a deeper understanding of his spiritual practice.
Pau Hana
When my work is finished, I turn off the internet and spend the evening stargazing, drawing, playing music, or having some pau hana time with my neighbors. After working with words all day, I try to do things that use different parts of my mind and body—although sometimes I can’t help opening my notebook to jot a few last ideas down, or reading a few chapters of my own favorite books.
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