The 5 Qualities of Superior Writers and Ghostwriters

It is tough to put together a list of what makes a writer or ghostwriter fruitful because it's their originality typically sets them apart from other writers.

Regardless, some traits are definitely among the successful ones who ditch the traditional 9-5 life and strike out on their own. We'll peep at a few in this short read, but know that this barely scratches the surface.

My intent here is to motivate and encourage you, not make you feel "less than," regardless of where you are in your journey.

If you're someone whose writing business isn't where you want it to be, or you're frustrated by a recent setback, don't see this as a list of things you haven't done or are lacking.

Take heart, because number one on the list is…

They're OK with failing

Look, nobody likes or wants to fail, but it will happen.

Being afraid to fail is something most folks have in common. It can be related to how you were raised, maybe having been bullied, or many other types of traumas.

At its core, failure is about having a light shined right onto the thing you just sucked at.

And what that really means is that we are afraid of being taken as fraud. Or even afflicted with imposter syndrome. And why is that?

Because our human DNA is pre-programmed to avoid being left out. Us humans are tribal by nature. For the most part, we thrive in groups, and it's how we've made it through the centuries.

We're terrified of failure because we think it'll mean losing our social standing, even though it doesn't literally threaten our lives anymore.

But as a ghostwriter, we have to be willing to fail. We never know what's going to happen next. As the past few years have shown, anybody can be surprised. We should do our best and learn from our mistakes.

So, in a nutshell, failure can be a gift.

Every successful writer and ghostwriter is not only OK with that prospect but also embraces it and understands that it's part of the writer's journey.

Outside the box thinking

Like the first trait, outside-the-box thinking allows a ghostwriter to break free of herd mentalities.

This is not to be confused with belligerent or disruptive behaviors. Instead, it is the ability to take in the environment, absorb and really view the available info, and then take it for what it is before acting.

By then applying our own flair to this, it's then that a masterpiece can be created.

A successful ghostwriter can do this and not be afraid to take a path of MORE resistance to create something akin to a legacy.

An unsuccessful one won't. Unfortunately, it's the reason why so many end up in a loathsome 9-5 grind, where they feel stifled, frustrated, and even angry at the world.

Every ghostwriter has this innate ability.

Not all will pursue it, though.

The successful ones have a knack, a gut feeling that they trust and pursue with a unique clarity. A clarity of vision, if you will, that propels them on to their goal.

Becoming one of the "sheeple" or following the crowd rarely, if ever, gets you to your finish line.

Thinking outside the box and doing so fearlessly will.

Having a clear vision

When a writer has no idea why they write, then any goal is OK.

And the successful ones are not OK with simply being "OK."

Not knowing the goal or outcome and especially not being viscerally connected to it are recipes for mediocrity Or, worse, failing. An average writer hasn't built enough of an emotional tie to achieve their goals. Because of that, they lose their connection to their dream.

This can present itself in lots of different ways.

One of the worst self-sabotaging behaviors for a writer and ghostwriter is procrastination. Allowing this to creep into our workdays, minds, and psyche is a dream crusher. A lot of this ties back to fear of failure.

So rather than act, we freeze and do nothing.

But it's the successful writer and ghostwriter who has created a clear vision for what they want to achieve. Whether that goal is wealth, fame, stability, or a steady stream of work, they know what they want and pursue it.

They may be able to empathize with it and embody how it will feel when they accomplish their objectives and dreams.

Understanding the self

Friedrich Nietzsche said, "He who has a strong enough why can bear almost any how."

What sets a successful writer and ghostwriter apart is their utter faith and emotional connection to their desired outcome. They know they will always be moving towards that goal regardless of setbacks. In short, they have a deeper connection to who they are and where they want to be.

The question many ask is, how?

Because they've been through the storm and have persevered. They understand what it feels like to fail. They know the feeling of rock bottom and have made an internal agreement to never be there again.

In short, they have enough understanding and leverage over themselves, so the thought of not always progressing towards their dreams and goals is more painful than giving up.

And with this, my friend, a writer, and ghostwriter, becomes an unstoppable force.

Nothing will deter them.

Nothing.

Strong communication

Every writer knows that to achieve success, they need others to succeed. Especially if you are writing for others. So a solid rule of thumb is to surround yourself with folks who are in the place you want to be.

Having a network of individuals you can rely on who understand what you are trying to achieve and will help get you there is invaluable.

A successful writer and ghostwriter have this in spades.

And part of the reason they have such a great network is that they know how to communicate effectively. This doesn't mean they're the life of the party or can talk to anyone. But they have an understanding that in order to get what they want, they need to be able to express themselves in a way that resonates with others.

Some people are born natural communicators.

If you expect other folks to grasp your drive, emotions, and passions, then you need to be able to communicate that.

The final word

As I said earlier: this is only the tip of the iceberg.

But if you have these five qualities, then you're well on your way to becoming a successful writer and ghostwriter.

The best part is that these are all qualities that can be learned and developed. So if you don't have them, don't fret. You can acquire them with time, patience, and practice.

My advice is to take a good look at where you're at in your ghostwriting career and ascertain which of the above points might need some polishing up on. Then I'd advise you to find a mentor, a sherpa, or a guide who might help you grow in these areas.

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