Ghosts linger in the place they died, or in an object associated with them. They remain for various reasons, ranging from unfinished business to fear of moving on to the next life.
They generally have the ability to create sounds, smells and movement of objects. They also have the power to touch, manipulate and possess people and take on a physical form.
Many people have a natural curiosity about the supernatural and ghosts have long been a source of fascination, especially in relation to death and afterlife. A ghost story can be a frightening, but interesting exploration of these beliefs, or it can be a simple tale of terror and dread.
When writing a ghost story it is important to think about your protagonist. A good ghost story is centered around the character, and it is the protagonist that will link your reader into your world. It is essential to make your protagonist believable, and this can be done through careful attention to detail.
The best way to build the fear and mystery of a ghost is through subtle clues. This may be a quiet noise that the protagonist dismisses, or perhaps an unusual knock at their door. This will slowly pique their interest, and they will begin to investigate the occurrences.
It is also important to establish what can and can’t a ghost do, so it is clear to the audience. A ghost that can phase through solid matter, enter the minds of humans and animals, possess and control objects or even take on a physical form could veer into comedy or family film territory.