fb

Fantasy Writers

Advice on a Ghost?

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #151454
    ScoutFinch190
    @scoutfinch190

    Hey everyone!

    I was wondering if anyone had any tips on introducing sort of off-the-wall characters that haven’t been well-foreshadowed.

    Here’s my situation:

    The setting is a fantasy world that uses portals for space travel by the traveler briefly going through a dimension that is similar to the spiritual realm. People are trying to experiment with them to turn them into a power source and create disposable, mechanized, soldiers for a war.

    In the process of their experimentation, a wrongfully imprisoned teenager (Felix) is used as a test subject. In the experiment, his body is left outside the portal in a coma, but his soul remains inside the other dimension. As time goes on with him being trapped in the other dimension, he soon finds that he can appear in the regular dimension, very like a ghost, but even though he finds his body, he’s unable to return to the regular world completely, which would enable his soul to reunite with his old body.

    This character meets my MC, Jake.

    At the time, Jake is imprisoned in a place where they’re doing experiments on convicts, he is reeling from grief and remorse (long story) and he and Felix meet. Together, they escape the prison, and go on an adventure together.

    The place where I’m having trouble is introducing Felix. In the first part of my story, there’s vague hinting at the possibility of a ghost like Felix, but his case is highly unique.

    (The hinting involves mention of the between dimension, and how people sometimes get trapped there and never seen again, along with the mentioning that ghosts are a well-known superstition, and there is a flickering light, but I don’t know what to do with it.)

    Do you guys have any tips for introducing Felix? It’s such a crazy introduction, but I really want him in the story as he is, and I want that introduction to feel natural, but to still be surprising without feeling ridiculous. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you!

    We crazy people are the normal ones.

    #151791
    Crystal
    @dacelo

    I don’t feel like the best person to give advice, but it sounds to me like you probably have enough foreshadowing. You have Jake somewhere where experiments on done on convicts, while Felix is a convict who had experiments done on him. You have the little bits of hinting, etc. Also, until you get close to the climax, it’s pretty expected for new characters to appear. Since you say once they escape the prison, they go on an adventure together, it sounds like they meet in the first half or so at least. I’d say you have enough set up already to just introduce him however you want. If beta readers further down the line have issues, then you can look it over again.

    #151798
    Mr.Trip Williams
    @jared-williams

    A few ideas for you….

    – spooked guards and rumors spread about seeing things in the night while your mc overhears

    – bring the ghost in stages… perhaps your ghost is just figuring out how to interact, so that’s where the stages come in; for example, perhaps at first your mc gets flashes of cold randomly. of course the mc would think nothing of it, then the cold flashes pair with lights flickering. Odd, but still the mc would just rationalize it away. Then perhaps small (or loud) noises occur (paired with the lights or not at all). Don’t know what kind of cell your mc is in, but perhaps raps on concrete or sounds like the bars are being rattled or hit, or a scraping sound. Then perhaps he starts seeing things, like blurred light (like a mist or fog) or perhaps he sees things in the corner of his eye but then when he looks it’s gone. then he sees a figure standing over him when he wakes up, but then when he bolts upright, it’s gone. then later, it manifests completely and either then or later begins to figure out how to speak to your mc.

    Of course, that is a long lead in. You can cut out whole stages out as fits your needs or don’t do any stages and just use whatever you find useful…. or hopefully, even if you don’t use any of this, hopefully it sparks your imagination to fill in whatever you need for your story. =)

    Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried. ~ G.K.C.

    #152168
    ScoutFinch190
    @scoutfinch190

    @dacelo


    @jared-williams

     

    Thank you both so much! This helps a lot! I love your exposition ideas!

    We crazy people are the normal ones.

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • The forum ‘Private: Fantasy Writers’ is closed to new topics and replies.

Enroll in Our Seven-Day Mindset Challenge Course

Enter your email to begin taking the course. We'll send you a link to begin the mindset course along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

You've joined the course! Check your email to watch the first video.

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

 

Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

 

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Take Your Style to the Next Level

Take Your Style to the Next Level

The written word matters to God.

 

Does it matter to you?

 

Learn how to develop an eloquent, practical, and personal style by downloading our free e-book.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

Every Year, Thousands of Writers Give Up

 Don’t be the next.

 

We understand how exhausting writing can be, so download our free e-book and find inspiration to press on!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

So You Have Clichés in Your Novel...

Thankfully, we’re here to help!

 

Enter your email below, and we’ll send you a simple process for smashing clichés.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the cliche worksheet in one moment...

Sign Up for Updates

Enter your email to receive updates on the 2025 Summit, along with emails to help you grow in your writing craft!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

 

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

Poetry Isn't Just for Poets

It can also help novelists write better stories!

Get our Harnessing the Power of Poetry e-book to learn how techniques used by skilled poets can enrich your storytelling.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Craft Moving Themes Without Turning Readers Off

Want to impact the world for Christ with your writing—without being preachy or cliched?

 

 

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and craft powerful themes by downloading our free worksheet!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

Uncover the Secret to Relatable Characters

Learning how to help readers connect with your story's characters doesn't need to be a mystery.

Get our Evoking Reader Empathy e-book to discover how successful authors build empathy.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the eBook in one moment...

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Stop Using Meaningless Character Questionnaires

Knowing your character's favorite ice cream flavor won't help you write engaging protagonists.

 

Our questionnaire is different. Use it to discover your character's core fears, longings, hopes, and needs.

 

 

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the character questionnaire in one moment...

Plotting Is Hard

Plotting Is Hard

That’s why we created a worksheet that will help you make sure your story hits all the right plot beats.

 

Sign up below to learn how to ace story structure.

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the plot sheet in one moment...

Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

Learn What the Bible Says about Engaging Plots

Enter your email to get your guide, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Learn How to Write Christian Themes that Resonate

Enter your email to get the worksheet, along with other resources to help you grow in your writing craft!

Congratulations! Redirecting you to the theme worksheet in one moment...

Get Free Writing Resources

Sign up below to gain immediate access to over a dozen ebooks, story worksheets, and action step guides.

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Register for the Panel Discussion

Enter your email to claim your free spot at the live event!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Register for the Panel Discussion

Enter your email to claim your free spot at the live event!

You have successfully subscribed for updates!

Pin It on Pinterest