“Hey ghostwriter, what’s your writing style?”
People often ask me if I can write in different styles. What they’re really asking is whether I can write in the style they have in mind for their book.
That is, can I write in the narrative, chatty, hip, rebellious, formal, informal, graceful, poetic, prescriptive, optimistic, humorous, friendly, melancholic, assertive, persuasive, encouraging, tabloid-like, positive thinking, or whatever other style they believe would be best for their book?
The quick answer is that I don’t have a writing style for the books I ghostwrite. Instead, I use whichever style works best for this book and this client/author.
Let’s begin with one writing style…
Some years ago, I coauthored a book called Diana and Dodi: A Love Story, an inside view of the star-crossed romance between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. The lead author, Rene Delorm, was the butler who was with Diana and Dodi throughout their final six weeks together. In fact, Rene was waiting for the couple in Dodi’s Paris apartment the night they died in the horrific car crash.
We began the book with Rene alone in the apartment, resting while he waited for the lovers to return from dinner. Here’s the opening paragraph:
Twilight spread slowly over Paris, the beautiful City of Light, on the evening of August 30, 1997. As dusk approached, the city’s many famous sights—the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, and Notre Dame—were dramatically highlighted by floodlights, emphasizing their magnificence and lending the city a glamour and mystery unmatched anywhere in the world. Despite living in Paris for three years, I never tired of watching the city transform itself from a bustling metropolis by day into a glowing jewel by night.
We wrote this passage, and the entire book, in a narrative style. That is, Rene described what he saw, heard, and experienced. Over the next couple of pages, we described how Dodi told Rene to put a bottle of champagne on ice because he was going to propose to the princess that very night—and showed his butler the expensive right he was going to offer her.
Same text, different writing styles
That same paragraph could be written in different styles, depending on the book’s topic, intended audience, and the author’s reason for writing.
Let’s see how different styles might look.
Original paragraph in narrative writing style:
Twilight spread slowly over Paris, the beautiful City of Light, on the evening of August 30, 1997. As dusk approached, the city’s many famous sights—the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, and Notre Dame—were dramatically highlighted by floodlights, emphasizing their magnificence and lending the city a glamour and mystery unmatched anywhere in the world. Despite living in Paris for three years, I never tired of watching the city transform itself from a bustling metropolis by day into a glowing jewel by night.
Minimalist style – strips down to essential elements, focusing on simplicity:
Twilight settled over Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, and Notre Dame glowed in floodlights. The city shifted from busy to serene. After three years, I still marveled at the nightly transformation.
Urban chic style – casual, modern, stylish, energetic, confident; effortlessly appreciating the beauty of the city:
Paris at twilight is nothing short of magic. As the last traces of daylight fade, the Eiffel Tower glows like a diamond, while the Arc de Triomphe looks like something straight out of a designer catalog. I could feel the city’s energy building, and for a moment, I thought, Yeah, Paris has it all.
Tabloid writing style – sensational, dramatic, and attention-grabbing; shocking or exaggerated descriptions, often emphasizing scandals or celebrity culture:
Paris, August 30, 1997—Get ready for the royal scoop of the century! On a sizzling summer night in the City of Light, Diana, Princess of Wales, and her billionaire beau, Dodi Fayed, were gearing up for what was supposed to be a glamorous night out. But a source close to the couple revealed it was so much more than just dinner and champagne—Dodi had BIG plans to pop the question! That’s right, readers! The smitten millionaire wasn’t just wining and dining Diana; he was planning to put a ring on it!
Self-help style – inspirational, thoughtful, and reflective; emphasizing the value of slowing down and appreciating life. Frames Paris as a metaphor for life’s potential for growth and appreciation:
As twilight descended over Paris on that late summer evening of August 30, 1997, the City of Light came alive in a way that only Paris can. The transformation was magical, a daily reminder that even the busiest and most familiar routines can hold moments of awe if we pause to notice them. After three years in Paris, I had learned an essential truth: no matter how familiar something becomes, there’s always an opportunity to see it in a new light, to rediscover its wonder. Let Paris teach you this: life’s beauty is found not in rushing past, but in slowing down to truly see.
Lighthearted style – playful, with a touch of wit:
Twilight was back at it again in Paris, dressing up the City of Light like it was auditioning for a movie role. The Eiffel Tower sparkled like it had something to prove, and Sacré-Coeur glowed like it had just heard the best gossip. Even after three years, I couldn’t get over how Paris turned itself into a nightly showstopper, as if saying, “Voilà! Bet your city can’t do this!”
Historical – grounded in historical context, focusing on events and significance:
On August 30, 1997, as twilight descended over Paris, the City of Light became a luminous testament to its enduring legacy. The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of 19th-century industrial triumph, shone brightly, while the Arc de Triomphe bore silent witness to centuries of French military might. Sacré-Coeur stood serene, a beacon of faith atop Montmartre, and Notre Dame exuded the weight of its medieval grandeur. After three years in Paris, I remained awestruck by how this city carried its history with such brilliance into the night.
Psychological/human dynamics style – motivational, engaging, and research-driven; weaves stories and evidence together to inspire readers toward personal growth or professional success:
On the evening of August 30, 1997, twilight unfolded over Paris—the City of Light. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the famous landmarks of the city—the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur, and Notre Dame—came to life under the glow of floodlights. They were iconic symbols of human achievement, and their illuminated presence signified the city’s ability to transform itself from a bustling, work-driven metropolis to a reflective, almost magical space. It was the kind of shift that, when we see it, makes us question our own daily routines and remind us of the latent potential in every transition.
Philosophical writing style – contemplative, exploring deeper meanings and reflections:
As twilight descended over Paris, the City of Light revealed itself in all its illuminated glory. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, and Notre Dame stood not merely as monuments, but as symbols of humanity’s relentless pursuit of beauty and permanence in an impermanent world. Even after three years, I found myself pondering the paradox: How could a city so alive at night carry the weight of centuries past?
Stream of consciousness – flowing, unstructured narrative reflecting the narrator’s thoughts:
Paris at twilight again—how does it always feel like the first time? The Eiffel Tower, glowing. The Arc de Triomphe, solid and unyielding, like it’s been standing there forever. Sacré-Coeur perched high, like it’s watching over everything, and Notre Dame… oh, Notre Dame, glowing, alive, ancient. Three years here, and it still pulls at me—this feeling, like I’m in the center of something bigger than I can understand.
Satirical style – witty, mocking tone that highlights absurdities or exaggerates for effect:
As twilight draped itself over Paris like a dramatic stage curtain, the City of Light switched on its nightly performance. The Eiffel Tower posed shamelessly for cameras, while the Arc de Triomphe stood stoically, pretending it didn’t enjoy the attention. Sacré-Coeur sparkled like it had something to prove, and Notre Dame, ever the diva, basked in its floodlights. Three years here, and I still couldn’t decide if I was living in a postcard or a reality show.
What’s my writing style?
The eleven styles above are a sampling of the many you can choose from when writing your book—or can discuss when strategizing with your ghostwriter.
The difference between one style and another is sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, but always important.
So, can I write in different styles? Sure.
The key is to figure out which style is best suited for your book, which depends on what you’re writing, why you’re writing, who you’re writing for, and other factors.
I’ll look at these factors in a future article.
If You’d Like Help Writing Your Book…

Contact us! We’re Barry Fox and Nadine Taylor, professional ghostwriters and authors with a long list of satisfied clients and editors at major publishing houses.
You can learn about our business ghostwriting work and credentials on our Business Ghostwriter Page.
For more information, call us at 818-917-5362 or use our contact form to send us a message. We’d love to talk to you about your exciting idea for writing a business book or memoir!