czwartek, 30 maja 2013

Tips For Writing Short Ghost Stories

By Audrey McGuire


Short ghost stories have been around for centuries. Perhaps you have childhood memories of telling or being told these chilling tales. There is something about that feeling of fear and suspense that Is exciting. You can create scary stories that invoke those same feelings in your readers or listeners.

Writing ghost stories might not seem so easy at first. It is important that the story makes sense. You may decide your story will take place in a fantasy world. Things still need to make sense for how things operate in that world. There are some questions you can ask yourself to help create this fantasy world. Decide if there is a government, what the laws are and the reasons for those laws. Decide if there is a dominant religion or no religion at all or some other variation. Give the world a real history.

Writing takes time and having a clean workspace is a good place to start. Any supplies you need such as reference books, notebooks and pens should be in arms reach from where you are working. Make sure your computer, desk and chair are all in a comfortable position for you to sit for a couple of hours at a time.

Brainstorm some ideas. Think about what you did that morning or evening. Then ask yourself "what if" questions. Perhaps, you could imagine what would happen there was a little girl in the elevator this morning and she disappeared right before my eyes. Try to build on this. For example, maybe it turns out no one else in the elevator saw her. Let your imagination take you where ever it takes you. This is not a time to hold back.

Do a bit of research by surfing the internet or checking your local library. There is a ton of paranormal history so this is a great way to get some ideas flowing. This can also help you think about the spirit's past. Every spirit has a past that is somehow linked to why they are here now.

Some writers create a story board. This just involves writing ideas on 4-10 index cards (depending on how long you want your story to be). Then take the cards and arrange and rearrange them to decide what order you want things to take place in your story. Not all writers do this so it is a matter of personal preference.

One of the most important parts of creating any good story is creating the atmosphere. A good story will make the reader or listener feel like they are right there as one of the characters in the story. The best way to create atmosphere is to imagine you are in your story until you feel you are really there. You should be able to describe what you see, hear, feel and smell. This is what creates a good atmosphere.

Writing short ghost stories can be a lot of fun. Take your time and if you get stuck just take a break. This should be an enjoyable experience so don't pressure yourself too much. Use that imagination and don't be afraid to run with it. Some of the best ghost stories were written by those that let their imaginations run wild.




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