writing a ghost story

writing a ghost story

1.

 Choose a Spooky Setting:

- Think about places that are both familiar and eerie. This could be a spooky forest, an old abandoned house, a mysterious school, or a dark cave.

- Add details that make the setting feel creepy: flickering lights, distant whispers, or strange shadows.

2.

Create Characters:

- Your main character should be someone your audience can relate to; perhaps a curious child, a group of adventurous friends, or a brave sibling.

- The character should face the unknown with courage but still feel nervous or scared at times.

3.

Introduce the Ghost or Supernatural Being:

- Make the ghost or spirit mysterious but not too terrifying. It could be a lost soul who needs help, a playful spirit, or an ancient creature tied to the setting.

- Avoid making the ghost too violent or frightening. Keep it spooky rather than terrifying to make sure it’s appropriate for a younger audience.

4.

Build Suspense Gradually:

-  Start with small, eerie occurrences; strange noises, flickering lights, or things moving on their own.

-  Slowly increase the tension as the ghost reveals itself more clearly, but don’t rush the suspense. Keep the reader curious about what happens next.

5.

Create a Mystery or Problem:

- Your characters should have a problem they need to solve. Maybe the ghost needs help finding something, or they have to uncover a hidden secret to make the spirit rest in peace.

- Think of clues or puzzles that the characters need to figure out. This will keep your readers engaged as they try to solve the mystery.

6.

 Add Moments of Humor or Friendship:

- Keep the story fun by adding lighthearted moments, like the characters making jokes or helping each other when they’re scared. This balances out the spooky parts and keeps it friendly.

7.

The Climax (The Big Reveal):

-  Build up to a dramatic moment where the ghost is fully revealed or a big clue is discovered. Make sure it feels like a breakthrough, and your characters are on the brink of solving the mystery.

8.

A Happy or Satisfying Ending:

-  Finish with a resolution that brings peace to the ghost or a happy ending for your characters. Maybe the ghost finds what they were looking for, or the mystery is solved, and everyone is safe.

- If you want, you can leave a tiny hint that something spooky might still be out there, but avoid anything too frightening.

9.

Revise and Edit:

-  After you’ve written your story, go back and read it again. Check for parts where the tension can be built up more or where you can add more details to make the setting or characters feel even more real.

Present

You will read out loud your story in front of the group in a spooky environment ;-)