Last year I blogged about how writers
can create a ghost character. In that post, I discussed supernatural ghosts and
human ghosts, and how to treat both in your story.
Now I'm delving deeper into human
ghosts. If you ever want to write about a
ghost character, especially if you’re in his/her perspective, there are a few
things you should consider to stay true to a ghost's physical abilites.
NOTE: These aren't rules. By all means, use what you want and create your own type of human ghost.
1.
Limited Senses
Ghosts can see and hear, but they
can’t smell anything. Not the scent of fresh grass or their mom’s perfume. They
also can’t taste (as a matter of fact, they don’t eat) or feel. Ghosts can’t
feel fabric, skin, or objects with their hands. Nor can they feel the cold or
pain.
Jolie, my ghost in Ghost of Death, misses the smell and taste of pizza.
2.
Humans
No one can see or hear ghosts. Well,
usually not anyone. Psychics can and even family members have claimed to see their departed loved ones. So while scores of people ignore your ghost, maybe one person
can see and hear him/her.
3.
No Reflections
Vampires aren’t the only paranormal
beings who don’t have reflections. Since no one can see ghosts, and even if one
special character can, they are usually transparent, so it makes sense that
they wouldn’t have a reflection. In Ghost of Death, Jolie tests this
theory out.
4.
Doors and Walls
Since ghosts don’t have bodies, they
can usually pass through objects such as doors, walls, and furniture.
5.
No Physical Reactions
Ghosts don’t have heartbeats. They
don’t breathe or cry. Nor can they develop tears, so don’t mention a racing
heart, a deep breath, or teary eyes when you’re talking about your ghost.
6.
More Limitations
On top of not having certain senses
and physical reactions, ghosts also don’t sleep or get tired. They won’t be
yawning or taking naps. Your ghost could go into a comatose state or disappear
for stretches of time, though.
7 Signs You’re a Ghost:
1. No one can see or hear you.
2. You can’t smell anything. Not even a pile of
dog poop at your feet.
3. Your hands pass through objects like mist.
4. You can’t cry. Try as you might.
5. When you try to take a breath, your chest
doesn’t rise.
6. You feel nothing. No pain. No sensations.
Nothing.
7. You’re standing over your dead body.
Excerpt from Ghost of Death:
With the sound of her mom’s grief wafting up
to her, Jolie came to terms with her present state. I’m dead and now my mom knows it. She eyed the door in front of
her. She hadn’t yet walked through a door, but if her hand could pass through
metal then she knew she could move through wood.
If I
have to be a ghost then I’ll be a damn good one. All across the afterlife I’ll
be known as the Ghost of Death! And I’m going to start by walking through this
damn door!
She would’ve taken a deep breath to brace
herself if she could have, so she mentally pumped herself up instead. You can do it! Easy-peasy. Nothing to it.
And she took a step forward. Solid matter slipped around and through her form.
On the other side, a familiar site confronted her: a black and white bed, the
bright green shag carpet in the middle of the room, and a white desk.
Stepping up to her
desk, Jolie eyed her ancient desktop computer, the one she used before her dad
gifted her with a laptop when she announced she was accepted to the local
university. Wanting to send out the first ever tweet from the afterlife, she
pushed the button to bring the device to life, but her finger poker straight
through it. Resigning to her Twitter-less fate, she moved toward the
full-length mirror hanging on the wall. She saw nothing. Not even a shimmer in
the air hinted at her presence.
Being a ghost sucks!
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