Ghostwriting Tips Go Viral

The viral tips are part of a long tradition of writing advice emphasizing clarity and impact. The "show, don't tell" principle, for instance, is often attributed to Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. In a letter from 1886, he advised his brother to capture small, vivid details that allow the reader to form their own picture, such as showing "the glint of light on broken glass" to convey a shining moon. The emphasis on active voice is a cornerstone of the Plain Language movement, which has roots in the mid-20th century and was codified in the U.S. with the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Style guides from the APA and government bodies recommend active voice—where the subject performs the action—to make sentences more direct, concise, and easier for readers to understand who is doing what. Similarly, the call for short sentences of under 20 words has a notable history, famously practiced by author Ernest Hemingway after his time as a reporter for The Kansas City Star. This technique is prized in digital content today, as shorter sentences and paragraphs are easier for audiences to scan and comprehend on screens, which can improve user experience and even SEO performance. These rules are particularly relevant for ghostwriters, whose primary job is to capture a client's voice and ideas with clarity and professionalism. The goal is often to establish the client as a thought leader, and direct, accessible prose helps build credibility and engage a wider audience. While these tips are widely circulated, they are guidelines, not unbreakable laws; even Hemingway varied his sentence length for musical effect.