I really enjoyed Polanski’s gripping thriller The Ghost which I saw last night. It is about a Blair-like PM accused of war crimes whose life is being written by a ghost writer referred to as the Ghost, played brilliantly by Ewan McGregor; I particularly liked the Cambridge connection which unfolds towards the end.

Being a ghost writer is a bizarre existence and wouldn’t suit authors with an ego because there is very little public recognition for your work unless you are a high profile writer; usually your name is tucked away inside, hopefully on the title page. It was a huge learning curve for me when ghost writing the life of psychic Dennis McKenzie – and yes, I found it very amusing being his ‘ghost’. 😉 It was certainly an experience I wouldn’t have missed and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed working with Dennis, and though the biggest thrill was when our book reached No 1 on Amazon for True Crime and Murders.

In the film, The Ghost’s previous claim to fame was his book on the life of a magician, yet he was plucked from obscurity to write this book about a former prime minister. He convinced the publishers that he could give it “heart”, and that won it for him.

It reminded me how on the strength of my book, I cheekily rang the Cambridge University office of Prof Stephen Hawking, a man who I admire considerably, and asked if I could be considered to write his official authorised autobiography.

A rather haughty assistant found this quite amusing. “And what have you written, my dear? A book about a psychic? How very amusing my dear. I must tell you that we have had interest from very distinguished authors who have written about Field Marshall so and so, and Brigadier who know who. That is the kind of caliber we are considering.”

I tried to explain that I wanted to focus my research on his family and personal life which I find fascinating, his two broken marriages, and that a writer with scientific knowledge could focus on Hawkings’ amazing academic achievements and discoveries. She was not convinced. I also wanted to give his book some “heart”and felt a collaborative approach with another writer would be the best way.

One line in the film which stands out for me and sums up the essence of a ghost writer’s life was at a launch party held for the book, but the Ghost was not even invited. He tagged along with one of the PM’s aides who was allowed to take a guest and told her:

“We don’t get invited to these things. We are an embarrassment. It’s like inviting a mistress to your wedding…..”