The ghost is a mysterious entity that has the ability to haunt or interact with people. Ghosts can manifest in a number of ways, including visible apparitions, the movement or displacement of objects, eerie noises, and the appearance of strange lights. They can also possess or control people, appear in dreams, emote through touch, and even use an odor to communicate with others. They are typically unintelligent and can be either benign or hostile, but many have a personal motive.
Ghosts usually appear in the place where they died and often share a history with that place or person. For example, a ghost that was murdered at a certain location might haunt it for revenge. Other ghosts may have a more specific goal, like wanting to find out who killed them or communicating with loved ones. Generally, ghosts are not able to move on until their unfinished business is resolved.
To make the ghost more relatable to your readers, describe its physical characteristics. For instance, is it a transparent mist or a solid human form? Does it wear clothes from a particular era? A ghost that was a soldier might still wear their uniform. Also, it is helpful to mention the ghost’s background and personality in order to build a connection with your reader.
Finally, it is important to connect the ghost to the plot, theme, or problem of your story. This will help it to develop organically instead of being dropped into your story on a whim.