When legendary casting director John Frank Levey decided to collaborate with me on a memoir, he had a word of caution for me as his ghostwriter: “I have no idea what you’ll write about. I don’t have much to say.” A handful of years later, in addition to a best-selling memoir, John also has a popular podcast, a dedicated fan base, and a whole new career as a teacher and speaker.

This project gives new meaning to the term “ghostwriter.” I was originally brought on to create content for a new non-profit, The Willis Wonderland Foundation, launched after the untimely loss of Hall of Fame songwriter Allee Willis (“September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and countless other hits). I channeled Allee’s incomparable joie de vivre and spirit to write promotional copy and web content and was ultimately hired to co-author Willis Wonderland: The Legendary House of Atomic Kitsch, a pop-up book celebrating Allee’s iconic home.