[TIMMAH]

I have read a few "true ghost story" books but don't really recall much. I had an experience over a few years at this place I worked that was haunted and I actually lived there for a few months. The experiences I had and others had there are more then enough to put in a book but I wonder what to use as filler?

Just the stories themselves aren't enough. What do authors add? Just back story of the building and people involved? Do you think I should just go in 1st person chronological order or order them randomly or by types of experiences? Add pictures of the place?

I dunno. I guess I'm just looking for any tips you might have. What you like in books like these and how long they usually are and such. I'm a decent writer so I won't have much of a problem... I just don't know where to start.

[Ebonykrow]

Consider starting out with a little history on yourself, and the location. How did you get there/what was the reason for being there, your initial opinion of the place, etc. Basic information to set the stage. Instead of going on like a narrative, just jump in. Readers who read for paranormal experiences don't really want a lot of backdrop, so keep it short, sweet, and simple, then dive right in. Start in chronological order, but also build up the suspense. Begin with the first, least most shocking experience. Build up to your latest, most frightening or concerning experience. If you want to hang on to your readers for a while, you'll definitely want to both build up the suspense, but also keep us in line with the order of events. I wouldn't suggest telling every single experience, but outline the ones you feel are most important. Definitely add pictures. A paranormal book is nothing without pictures, even if it's just of the location, or illustrations. I would suggest about 200-250 pages, maybe even less, unless you feel the stories are substantial enough to keep the interest going.

[Wookietim]

TIMMAH, on 02 November 2009 - 03:22 PM, said:

I have read a few "true ghost story" books but don't really recall much. I had an experience over a few years at this place I worked that was haunted and I actually lived there for a few months. The experiences I had and others had there are more then enough to put in a book but I wonder what to use as filler?

Just the stories themselves aren't enough. What do authors add? Just back story of the building and people involved? Do you think I should just go in 1st person chronological order or order them randomly or by types of experiences? Add pictures of the place?

I dunno. I guess I'm just looking for any tips you might have. What you like in books like these and how long they usually are and such. I'm a decent writer so I won't have much of a problem... I just don't know where to start.

I don't know if you can actually completely remove yourself from a book like this... After all, if you are involved in any way (Either experiences or in investigation - or even just as a point of reference to say "Wow, that is one weird story) you sort of have to introduce yourself...

Plus, a little bit of a bumper before and after each one would be interesting : "I think that is an interesting story because of XXX and YYY and ZZZ..." ending with "Of course there are alternative explanations for that which are XXX and YYY, but in my opinion ZZZ"...