Is it real, or is it Memorex?

No monsters today. We’ve talked a lot about monsters lately, and we’ve talked a few times about zombies, too.

It’s time we had a chat about ghosts, don’t you think?

The next book I’m working on, once I finish Fairies in My Fireplace, features spirits, lost souls, ghosts–whatever you want to call them. Actually, in the book, they’re escaped souls. Their bodies check out, and rather than follow the light down the tunnel, the souls make a break for it and have to be hunted down by soul catchers in order to keep order in the world.

It seems to me that all the ghostly supernatural stuff on TV gets lumped into one category, when there are several different things potentially going on. I’ve divided them up according to my warped vision of how it all works:

Ghost trains, ladies in white walking through the house, murder scene reenactments: My best guess is this isn’t a ghost at all. This sort of activity loops and repeats, often in a pattern. Energy can do all sorts of things we don’t understand. A charged event–like a horrendous crime–probably leaves behind a charge. So might a single action that repeats over and over, like someone walking around their house or a train running every night at the same time. Energy collects and leaves a residue like a recording. Who knows what triggers the play button?

Scents, dreams, moved objects, flickering lights, and other signals: Still not going to call these “ghosts.” I’ve had stuff happen. Most people I know have had stuff happen. Sometimes people we’ve lost come visit. They do a little something to get our attention so we know they’re here, then they go back. They aren’t trapped here. They’re just saying “hi” and maybe goofing around a little. Dead people often think they’re hilarious.

Possession, poltergeists, blood from the faucet, and other scary stuff: I’m not big on the concepts of “good” and “evil.” I prefer to call it “positive or negative energy.” No, we’re not going all religious or New Agey here. It’s less scary is all. However, I have never seen anything in this category, nor do I wish to. I also think if it’s real, it’s pretty damn rare. Let’s keep it that way, huh? I love horror movies. I do not want them to be real, though.

Which leaves us the last category: Stuck souls. True ghosts. The lost, the angry, the ones with unfinished business. Pass on a message. Go to the light.

Those are the ones going into my next book. All while being chased by a djinn with a lack of social skills. It’s going to be epic.

Stay safe. Burn some incense. Circle your house with salt.

Have a great weekend!