Ghosts are invisible, mysterious entities that haunt the place — and the people — they inhabit. They appear as apparitions, and sometimes cause noises and other phenomena. They’re often depicted as frightening beings, but their presence can also be a source of hope or good luck. Ghosts are the subject of many myths and folklore throughout the world. They’re also the inspiration behind countless films, TV shows, and books.
For example, the revenant of Shakespeare’s Hamlet demands that Prince Hamlet investigate his father’s murder and exact revenge on his usurping uncle. In classical Greek literature, Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Iliad’ feature the ghosts of the departed. The dead were believed to stay close to their tomb, and ghosts could be summoned to bestow good fortune or deliver prophecy.
When writing a ghost story, the key is to create a response in your readers. This might start with a quiet noise that the protagonist dismisses, attributing it to natural causes. Then it might get a little louder, and the protagonist might begin to worry. It might culminate with a knocking on their front door, even though there’s no one there to answer.
World building is an important element of any story, but it’s especially essential when writing a ghost story. Since ghosts don’t have bodies, you have to figure out how they might pose a threat to your characters. For instance, a ghost might be able to pick up weapons, or they might use their minds to lure the characters into dangerous situations. The ghost might also be a character from the past, or it may represent some unresolved tragedy in the current life of the protagonist.