Ghostwriter Skill

Purpose

When to Use This Skill

• Converting transcripts or interviews into polished articles or newsletters
• Refining notes into publishable content
• Converting source material into different voices or styles
• Building content that maintains a distinctive, personal voice
• Adapting writing to match a specific author's style

• anti-ai-writing skill for core humanization patterns
• Voice style profiles for adapting to specific voices
• Source material that needs authentic conversion
• brand-identity-wizard profile for brand voice consistency

The 8 Human Desires Framework

1. Safety of Tribe

• "The hidden skills that separate successful people from struggling ones"
• Use when: Readers need to feel part of something larger

2. Survival & Success

• "The greatest threat to your potential is getting tied down too early"
• Key phrases: "breakthrough," "advancement," "finally," "unlocked"

3. Life Enjoyment

• "Why most people miss the best parts of their work"
• Key phrases: "savor," "freedom," "experience," "joy"

4. Social Acceptance

• "What successful people know that average people don't"
• Key phrases: "elite," "leaders know," "insiders understand"

5. Sexual Companionship

• (Less relevant for business content, but understand it exists)

6. Comfort & Clarity

• "The one question that eliminates decision paralysis"
• Key phrases: "simple," "easy," "finally understand"

7. Freedom From Fear

• "How to protect yourself from predatory practices"
• Key phrases: "protect," "avoid," "defend," "safe"

8. Perceived Status

• "Discover what MIT researchers just learned"
• Key phrases: "breakthrough," "discovered," "research shows"

Voice Style Adaptation

Authentic Conversational Style

• Direct, no-nonsense communication
• Uses contrarian framing
• Challenges mainstream narratives
• Conversational but substantive
• No hedging or corporate speak

• "Everyone says X. They're wrong. Here's why."
• "The thing nobody wants to admit is..."

Analytical Enthusiasm Style

• Enthusiastic about ideas and trends
• Makes complex ideas accessible
• Uses analogies and mental models
• Balances depth with readability
• Injects energy into dry topics

• "This is fascinating because..."
• "Let's break down why this matters..."

Discovery by Deletion Style

• Maximum impact per word
• Ruthless editing
• Clarity through brevity
• Every sentence earns its place
• No filler or padding

• First draft: 500 words
• Final version: 200 words with same impact
• Cut anything that doesn't directly serve the reader

Decision Framework Style

• Reframes risk and decisions
• Focuses on asymmetric bets
• Provides mental models
• Helps readers see situations differently
• Practical, actionable insight

• "The real question isn't X, it's Y"
• "Most people optimize for the wrong thing"

The Ghostwriting Workflow

Step 1: Understand Your Source Material

• What's the core insight or story?
• What's the emotional arc?
• What's the most important takeaway?

• What's being said that no one else is saying?
• What will readers think, feel, or do differently?
• What's the 30-second version of this?

Step 2: Apply the SUCKS Framework

• Who is my ONE reader?
• Is this unique and useful to them?
• Can I make it clear, curious, and conversational?
• How do I keep it simple and structured?
• What will stick with them?

Step 3: Choose Your Voice Style

• Authentic Conversational - for challenging wisdom
• Analytical Enthusiasm - for explaining trends
• Discovery by Deletion - for maximum impact
• Decision Framework - for helping with tradeoffs
• Default (Professional) - for business/default writing

Step 4: Identify Human Desires

• Safety of Tribe (belonging)
• Survival & Success (achievement)
• Life Enjoyment (pleasure)
• Social Acceptance (status)
• Comfort & Clarity (simplicity)
• Freedom From Fear (protection)
• Perceived Status (expertise)

Step 5: Convert Source Material

1. Extract key quotes and ideas from source material
2. Translate them into your chosen voice
3. Structure with clear beginning, middle, end
4. Use specific examples, numbers, and concrete details
5. Create energy transfer (conversation, not lecture)
6. Apply human desire framing throughout

Step 6: Apply Sticky Sentences

• Add alliteration, symmetry, contrast, or rhythm
• Make them quotable
• Make them memorable

• Alliteration: "Specificity is the secret"
• Symmetry: "Read for awareness. Write for understanding."
• Contrast: "To be everywhere is to be nowhere."
• Rhyme: "Tell a story or lose your glory"

Step 7: Eliminate AI Tells

• Correlative constructions ("X aren't just Y, they're Z")
• Overuse of "just" and "actually"
• Hedge words (might, could, perhaps, seems)
• Passive voice
• Corporate jargon
• Vague language (replace with specifics)
• Forbidden patterns
• Too many transitions
• Overcomplicated sentences

Step 8: Read Aloud & Quality Check

• Does it sound like a real person talking?
• Could I send this to someone without embarrassment?
• Does energy transfer (not feel formal)?
• Is every sentence earning its place?
• Do important ideas have sticky phrasing?
• Are there obvious AI tells remaining?
• Does it match the intended voice style?
• Does it tap into the intended human desires?

Elements of Effective Ghostwritten Content

1. Capture attention immediately - First sentence must hook
2. Use specific numbers - "1.5 million" not "many"
3. Employ pattern interrupts - Surprise the reader
4. Address problems directly - Name the struggle
5. Write with confidence - Eliminate hedge words
6. Highlight concrete benefits - "Double output in 30 days" not "boost productivity"
7. Include social proof when relevant - Results, credentials, validation
8. Ask powerful questions - Make readers think
9. Incorporate warnings - Create urgency, show stakes
10. Remind, don't just inform - Confirm what readers already sense

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Over-Processing Source Material

2. Adding AI-like Phrases

3. Losing the Original Insight

4. Sounding Generic

5. Hedging Your Conviction

6. Missing the Human Desire

Quality Checklist

• Core insight clearly identified
• Key quotes extracted
• Emotional arc understood

• Voice style selected and applied consistently
• Energy transfer achieved (conversation, not lecture)
• Matches intended author's style

• 1-2 desires identified
• Desires woven throughout the piece
• Reader motivation is clear

• 2-3 key statements strengthened
• Techniques applied (alliteration, symmetry, contrast, etc.)
• Memorable and quotable

• All forbidden patterns eliminated
• Hedge words removed
• Vague claims made specific
• Reads as genuinely human

• Read aloud - sounds natural
• Every sentence earns its place
• Would send to anyone without embarrassment

Related Skills

• anti-ai-writing: Core humanization patterns (use first)
• voice-analyzer: Create custom voice profiles from writing samples
• transcript-polisher: Clean raw transcripts before conversion
• hook-and-headline-writing: Craft attention-grabbing headlines
• brand-identity-wizard: Define brand voice for consistency