Let’s get into the dark heart of October and write a ghost story!
It’s time for ghosts and rattling chains and cold, eerie nights. It’s certainly a time when I pull out my Poe collection and read until I’m sufficiently scared and can’t turn off the lights. Maybe this is when you might think, “I’ll write a ghost story!” If that idea has crossed your mind, here are a few pointers for where to start.
This category of fiction seems to be divided into two major camps: the really scary and the “cozy” ghost stories. Between these extremes, I’ve sampled ones that are what I call the scary, but not-so-much ones.
Most of us are familiar with Stephen King’s The Shining, and I haven’t found a book about ghosts that scares me more, so I’d rank that one at the top end of spine-tingling. At the other end of the spectrum, there are books like Tall Tails Secret Book Club: The Secret Library Cozy Mysteries by CeeCee James or A Scandal in Boohemia by Gwen Gardner. These are slightly spooky and fun.
The first decision ghost story writers have to make is which type they want to craft. If they’re headed toward the Stephen King side of things, the ghostly presence can be of the paranormal ilk, seen or unseen (the scariest choice), it’s malignant and fear-inducing—the cause of the unexplained events. On the other hand, if it’s a story that warms your heart instead of chilling your bones, the ghost(s) become characters with names, a history, physical characteristics, and personalities.
Even with a lightly and spooky tale, I like to think about what scares me most when I set out to write a ghostly tale. For me, that’s when I’m alone in a dark space, especially when there’s something I can sense, but not see. I’m working on a story now and the first encounter I have with the not-so-scary ghost is in a darkened room. The protagonist–Calista–has just gotten some shocking news and has gone to bed, troubled and asking herself how she’s going to deal with it. Enter ghost–Mrs. Wilhelm:
“It won’t be that difficult, dear.” The woman’s voice was sweet. It came to Calista like a flickering of tiny lights in her heart, not in her ears.
Calista bolted upright, her skin needled by the shock of hearing it. With a shaking hand, she lit the candle again and held it overhead, but the room was as it had been, empty except for her wardrobe, writing table, and chair. “Who…”
“I’m Mrs. Wilhelm, the third from the left, near the gate.”
That made no sense at all.
“You’re a sweet girl. Now I have a chance to tell you so.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Calista set down her candle and stooped to look under her bed.
“You won’t find me there.” The voice was sprinkled with laughter.
“Then where?”
“I told you already, but where I am isn’t important anymore.” The woman’s sigh brushed along Calista’s mind.
It’s also important to build the ghost as the book moves forward. The whispered words in the first scene introduce the ghost, but the next time there will have to be something more concrete. Here’s the next ghostly encounter in my example. We’ve moved to the cemetery:
The cold increased and numbed Calista’s fingertips. She regretted rushing from the cottage without her heavy shawl, but before the cemetery, the morning hadn’t been as nippy. She wrapped her arms around her middle.
Mrs. Wilhelm called one name, and when a spirit curled up from the grave just in front of where Calista huddled, she fell back trembling. She no longer felt the chill, only panic. She considered running, but Mrs. Wilhelm shook her head. “You have nothing to fear from the dead. You are quite safe here.”
Be sure to note the details about your ghost: when or if it appears, how it enters and leaves, the way it looks or how the character(s) react to it. Is there anything that signals the ghost’s arrival? Can your ghost move things? Does it float or walk? Pass through walls, open doors? Is there a specific time the ghost arrives or can it come at all hours? How did it die? When did it die?
And then the setting. Here’s where you can explore all kinds of possibilities. Does everything happen on a wind-swept moor or in a New York townhouse? Is the ghost tied to a place or does it follow the fleeing person it haunts?
It’s always good to read some examples and get the feeling for what’s been done before, but then become creative. Just because there are traditions, doesn’t mean you can’t find something fresh for your story.
If you want to do some ghostly reading, here are two links to help you choose between Fright Night and Titillating Fun by the Fire Night .
Link for scary ghost stories–Don’t read these alone…at night…did I make it clear…don’t read them alone?
Link for cozy ghost stories–Make some cocoa. Grab a blankie. Cuddle up and enjoy.
I’m sure there are some writers here who might like to chime in with more suggestions about crafting a good ghost story, so check the comments.
Shattered sounds like a heart-wrenching story, Lee. Congratulations on all levels. I think this book is going to do very well. Best to you.
Loved this post – and the story! Sorry for the fly-by, have to get the broom back in the closet by sundown 😉
Lee – Thanks for the insights about writing ghost stories. I’ve often thought that a good location for a literary joust with the supernatural would be the town of Cassadaga, which is just 14 miles from my home in DeLand, FL. If you Google “psychic capital of the world,” you’ll get page after page of hits, all directing you there. Where you find a mecca for psychics, mediums, and spiritualists, can ghosts be far away?
Here’s a link to a page that provides a good rundown on the town: https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/cassadaga-florida.html
BTW, I visited a psychic in Cassadaga years ago, to see if I was barking up the wrong tree trying to write country music. Her first words to me were, “Why do I see ‘change’ written above your head?” I told her she was probably looking at my bank statement.
Wishing you much success with the new book!
I used to love very spooky stories when I was growing up. I still like them, I just don’t want them to get too scary now. 🙂 You gave lots of great advice in this post.
Happy Release! Going to go make sure Shattered is on my TBR pile on Goodreads! Best of luck!
One of these days I’d like to figure out the ghost story idea I came up with years ago. The plot is too vague right now for me to make it work.
What wonderful tips for writing ghost stories. I never thought of the two different types of ghosts. I included a shadow man in one of my cozy mysteries. What fun to write him in the story. Makes me smile just thinking of some of those experiences. I enjoyed the Calista excerpts. You have a gift with words. As an example, “It came to Calista like a flickering of tiny lights in her heart, not in her ears.
Calista bolted upright, her skin needled by the shock of hearing it.” So satisfying . Congratulations! Looking forward to your new release! I’ll pop over to Goodreads and add to my TBR list. I didn’t realize how doing that helps to create buzz about a book.
Goodreads is a happy place for authors because that’s where the readers hang out! I so much prefer it to anything on Facebook, which drives me nuts with its manipulations. You have no control over who sees what you post. Oh, you can pay them to spread the word, but even that’s not very effective for authors with books to sell.
Thanks so much for adding Shattered to our your TBR list!
I’m too much of a sissy to read really scary stories. I read Stephen King’s ‘A Ghost Story’ once and it scared me too much so I’ve avoided them ever since.
He has a talent for making the hair rise on your neck, even if you’re reading him on a sunny day with people next to you!
I’ve never done well with ghost stories. I prefer them light (like the new TV show Ghosts). But good tips for those that want to dip their toes in.
Light and cozy it is! Fortunately, writers give us plently of those little gems.
Once I played around with a ghost story that had to involve the Flying Dutchman (gotta have some sailing). Yes, I have a lot of McKenzie blood in my veins, not just from two great grandparents on my father side and a great grandparent on my mothers (but none were closely related). I also have a kilt and back in August there was some photos in my blog of me decked out.
My husband’s ancestors settled in Oregon. Did your family have any connection to the west?
I’m definitely more of a cozy ghost reader/writer;)
Great Calista examples.
I think I fall into that camp as well. More so over these past two years. I need something light and entertaining to keep me from going bonkers.
I can’t write scary ghost stories. I had an idea for one and just the amount of thought it takes to germinate a plot had me up at night.
You’re good at it, so I’ll leave the scary stuff to you.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I’ll finish that book and see the ghosts are entertaining enough for readers.
I too, enjoy reading from an eclectic mix of genres, with my only “closed” space being reserved for science fiction and fantasy which is too deep and dark.
The last ghost/horror story I read, was ‘The House Of A Hundred Whispers’ by English author, Graham Masterton – Now that one really freaked me out!
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews/the-house-of-a-hundred-whispersby-graham-mastertonreview/
Mrs Wilhelm’s line – “You have nothing to fear from the dead. You are quite safe here.” – definitely doesn’t apply to that story!
Thank you for sharing such an interesting post and enjoy your Halloween 🙂
Euuu! I’ll check out the book, Yvonne. Thanks so much for the link.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
I enjoyed reading your piece giving tips on how to craft a good ghost story, and I especially enjoyed the samples from your Calista ghost tale. Two of your lines in particular jumped out at me and gave my mind and imagination a stimulating massage: “like a flickering of tiny lights in her heart, not in her ears,” and “The woman’s sigh brushed along Calista’s mind.” Those two lines make wonderful use of simile and metaphor.
If I were to write a ghost story, it most certainly would fall on the intense end of the spectrum. The dark doesn’t particularly scare me, but sensing something close by in the darkness that I cannot see or identify is terrifying. Ghost stories rely heavily on sights and sounds, but an unidentified smell can also be disconcerting to the max. One of the most frightening moments in the original Twin Peaks was when Maddy rushed down the stairs asking with great distress in her voice, “What’s that smell?” At that moment, I could imagine the repugnant odor of burning sulfur permeating the house as she was about to come face to face with Demon Bob.
I have to agree with Mrs. Wilhelm. In the year 2021, we have nothing to fear from the dead, only the living.
Thanks for visiting Shady’s Place today, dear friend Cheryl-Lee. Enjoy the rest of your week. If I don’t reconnect with you before then, have a safe and happy Halloween!
I remember that scene, Shady. Twin Peaks kept me awake at night, and you’re right about the smells. They play an important part in titlating the imagination. The unseen, but felt. The unseen, but smelled. I’m getting goosebumps just writing that!
A safe and Happy Halloween back at you!
Oooh.
As I have often said I am a greedy reader and their are very few genres (or target age groups) which are closed to me.
And yes, there are stories which have haunted my nights.
Character building is SO important isn’t it – who ever or what ever the character concerned.
I love that you read so widely! I’ve never understood reading in only one genre or category. That seems so narrow.