When most people think of haunted, they probably imagine a dark, empty house, but hauntings can take place in a lot of places, such as schools, malls, theatres, hotels and even cities. In a story, a ghost could be real or imagined and it can make the hero or heroine feel afraid, anxious or panicked. Ghosts are a symbol of our deepest fears, such as the loss of a loved one or war. You can enhance the scare factor in a ghost story by using dangerous emotions such as anger, jealousy or envy.
Ghosts can be see-through or solid and they can appear in a variety of ways, such as whispering, whirring, scrawling messages in steam or throwing items and causing other unexplained activities. Often, a ghost has a purpose and wants to cause havoc for its victim. For example, it could be seeking revenge, making amends or just wanting to be noticed and talked about.
Using the hero or heroine’s reactions, thoughts and imaginations to show what the ghost is doing will add believability to your story. It will also help the reader to identify with the character and make them more receptive to the story. For example, a security guard might become hysterical when confronting the ghost, or a mother may cry over her lost child while being haunted by her dead husband’s spirit.