Ghostwriting Spotlight: Health, Banking, and the Adventures of Writing-hood
Between 1999 and 2001, I worked as a freelance ghostwriter for a marketing communications firm. My assignments ranged from health education articles and banking newsletters to press releases and internal creative content. While these were published under client bylines, they represent my early work in accessible, purpose-driven writing.
Health articles included:
– Passive Smoking and Your Asthmatic Child
– Osteoporosis and My Healthcare Provider
– Osteoporosis and Exercise
– Inherited Genes and Allergies
– Alternative Therapies for Treating Asthma Attacks
I also contributed a financial article for a banking client and crafted several press releases and online articles. One such piece, The Adventures of Writing-hood, was a playful internal column about the quirks of the writing life—attached below as a sample of my ghostwritten storytelling voice.
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The Adventures of Writing-hood
Years ago, while on my way to an audition, I encountered a hooded writer on a great white horse waving a feathered sword. "Hmm," I thought. "How strange." My thoughts were interrupted when I heard him say, "Write-on! Write-on!" Those words inspired me to take pen in hand.
That's how I got started writing. Well, not exactly. The rejection of yet another audition led me to choose "that mighty instrument of little men" to write my own play and maybe star in it. However, this quest is easier said than done. Writing is scary when you don't know how to start, let alone what the heck to write about. I was lucky, though, to meet an actor-turned-writer who helped guide me through my journey of writing-hood.
I started with an improvisational piece I had created in an acting workshop. Then I expanded the plot, adding characters to the story. Following a series of seminars, roundtables where fellow actors and writers read scenes I wrote, and meetings with my mentor, the result was a two-act play, Dreaming with El Coquí, produced in Minnesota and San Francisco.
As I said, writing is no easy feat, at least at first. However, there are certain things you can do to help get you started. Below are some tips to help you initiate your writing journey, if you so choose to take this road.
Read. Yes, that’s what I said – read. Read good scripts, essays, poems, screenplays, novels, whatever interests you. It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the works of good writers. Use them as role models to help you develop your own style of writing.
Attend seminars. Check your local theater, film organization, newspaper, and magazine calendars for events featuring writers’ workshops, roundtables, discussions, and more. They will allow you to convert your pen into a magical ink sword in a safe and supportive environment. Or at least, meet some interesting people who’ll make for some interesting characters.
Surf the Internet. I usually search online for writers. You’ll find loads of website links for workshop resources, chat rooms, writing tools, articles, you name it. But BEWARE! You can get sucked into the dark cyberspace hole. A thick forest of information galore, so overwhelming that you can lose your sense of direction and find yourself lost for hours. It’s best to bookmark your favorite sites to navigate back home easily.
Use a reliable dictionary and thesaurus. These weapons can save you in moments when you find yourself trapped on a word or when your brain has become deadlocked. I use online dictionaries, such as Dictionary.com. It’s great for quick editing, as you can copy and paste words directly from the dictionary.
Carry a notebook with you at all times. I carry a small one in my pocket for those great lines I steal from unsuspecting ‘characters’ or for those sudden inspirations I get at the most unexpected times.
Well, my fellow knight-writers, I hope these tips are helpful during your quill-driving travels. Good luck and write well. I’m off to my next adventure – conquering the writer’s block beast.
E.M. Cruz Petersen September 2000, Updated May 22, 2025
