Ghostwriter Skill

Purpose

This skill transforms source material - transcripts, notes, research, interviews - into authentic, human-written content that reads naturally without obvious AI tells.

Core Philosophy: The best ghostwriting is invisible. Readers should feel like they're reading a real person's thoughts, not a filtered or processed version of source material.

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
• Ensuring written content reads authentically human

Use in conjunction with:

• Style reference files for adapting to specific voices
• The ai-tells skill for pattern detection and forbidden syntax

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Universal Writing Fundamentals

1. Energy Transfer

The best writing is a transfer of energy from writer to reader.

• Write conversations, not speeches
• Be personable, especially in email and newsletters
• Speak WITH your audience, not AT them
• Remove corporate jargon, academic language, and media buzzwords

2. Conciseness is King

Always remove surplus words. Every word should earn its place.

1. Write your first draft (don't hold back)
2. Read it aloud
3. Delete anything that repeats, softens, sounds formal, or takes extra words

3. The SUCKS Framework

S - Specific: Write for ONE person (your "One True Fan") U - Unique & Useful: Does this change how your reader thinks, feels, or acts? C - Clear, Curious, Conversational: Main idea unmissable, reads like talking to a friend K - Kept Simple & Structured: Simple ideas, clear progression

Application checklist:

• Who is my ONE True Fan reading this?
• What will they think, feel, or do differently after?
• Could a 12-year-old understand the main point?
• Does this flow like a conversation?

4. Be Undeniable

Transform vague claims into concrete specifics.

• "This year, I helped 13 clients boost their website traffic by 87%-256% in just one month. Here's how:"

Replace vague language with data, examples, specifics, or personal experience.

5. Craft Sticky Sentences

Use these techniques to create memorable statements:

Technique	Example
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"
Rhythm	"When you can't wait to share it, they can't help but read it"

For maximum stickiness, combine techniques. See references/sticky-sentences-expanded.md for deep dives.

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Leverage Human Desires

Great writing taps into 8 core human desires. Choose 1-2 per piece:

Desire	Use When	Signal Words
Safety of Tribe	Community content	belong, together
Survival & Success	Achievement content	breakthrough, unlock
Life Enjoyment	Lifestyle content	freedom, experience
Social Acceptance	Status content	elite, insider
Comfort & Clarity	Explanatory content	simple, easy
Freedom From Fear	Protective content	protect, avoid
Perceived Status	Authority content	research, discovered

Full reference: references/human-desires.md

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Dash Usage

Use regular hyphens with spaces for parenthetical breaks - like this - not em dashes or en dashes.

• "Education is changing - and parents are noticing"

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AI Pattern Detection

For comprehensive AI pattern detection and forbidden syntax, load the ai-tells skill.

Key patterns to eliminate:

• Correlative constructions ("X aren't just Y - they're Z")
• Overuse of "just" and "actually"
• Hedge words (might, could, perhaps)
• Passive voice
• Corporate jargon
• Vague language

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The Ghostwriting Workflow

Step 1: Understand Your Source Material

Read through everything completely:

• What's the core insight or story?
• What's the emotional arc?
• What would your One True Fan need to understand?

Step 2: Apply the SUCKS Framework

Before writing, answer: Who, What's unique, Is it clear, Is it simple?

Step 3: Choose Your Voice

Style	Use For	Reference
Pirate Wires	Contrarian, calling out truths	references/pirate-wires-style.md
Packy McCormick	Trends, accessible analysis	references/packy-mccormick-style.md
Justin Mikolay	Refining, limited word count	references/justin-mikolay-style.md
One Thing Better	Decisions, tradeoffs	references/one-thing-better-style.md
Default	Professional, direct	Clear and authentic

Step 4: Convert Source Material

1. Extract key quotes and ideas
2. Translate into chosen voice
3. Structure with clear beginning, middle, end
4. Use specific examples and concrete details
5. Create energy transfer (conversation, not lecture)

Step 5: Apply Sticky Sentences

Identify 2-3 most important statements. Add alliteration, symmetry, contrast, or rhythm.

Step 6: Eliminate AI Tells

Load the ai-tells skill and run its checklist. Key areas:

• Forbidden syntax patterns
• Overused words
• Hedging language
• Passive voice
• Corporate jargon

Test: Would this sentence appear in a ChatGPT output? If yes, rewrite it.

Step 7: Read Aloud & Quality Check

• Does it sound like a real person talking?
• Could I email this to my One True Fan without embarrassment?
• Does energy transfer (not feel formal)?
• Is every sentence earning its place?
• Do important ideas have sticky phrasing?

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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"
7. Include social proof - 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 sense

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Pitfall	Bad	Good
Over-Processing	Corporate-speak	Authentic voice preserved
AI Phrases	"Moreover," "Furthermore"	Natural transitions
Losing Insight	Polish hides core idea	Clarity enhances meaning
Sounding Generic	Could be about anything	Specific perspective
Hedging	"It might be possible..."	"This is true because..."

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Reference Materials

Style Guides

• references/pirate-wires-style.md - Authentic, conversational, contrarian
• references/pirate-wires-examples.md - Real examples
• references/packy-mccormick-style.md - Analytical enthusiasm
• references/justin-mikolay-style.md - Discovery by deletion
• references/one-thing-better-style.md - Decision frameworks

Technique Deep Dives

• references/sticky-sentences-expanded.md - Extended sticky sentence guide
• references/human-desires.md - 8 core human desires reference

Related Skills

• ai-tells - Comprehensive forbidden patterns and AI detection

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Use the 7-step workflow for any conversion task. Always start with SUCKS and end with reading aloud.