Oct 31 2008
Another Ghost Book?
At my husband’s urging, I am considering writing another ghost book, centered on the area where I live here in Washington State. I say “another” because I have already written one describing various first-hand accounts of ghosts in SE Kansas, where I used to live. I love ghost stories–far from frightening me, they fascinate me. What are ghosts really? Why do they appear, make sounds, move things, try to get our attention? Why do they exist at all? Intriguing questions for me.
Besides, I love a good story. And ghosts usually make for a pretty good story. And my first collection of stories has led to the novel I am currently writing, so they inspire me beyond telling the stories themselves. All good things.
I believe the area is ripe with stories, too. And I have contact information for a ghost hunting group close by…so I might have many resources at hand to help me.
What is holding me back, you might ask? It’s a big project, writing the whole thing. And I don’t know, as yet, whether I’ll be able to collect enough ghost stories to fill up an entire book. SE Kansas was a lucky guess, and I might not be so lucky this time. And if I take the time to write out press releases asking for ghost stories, send them all out, field phone calls about possible ghost sightings, and write out even a dozen stories–before discovering I don’t have enough to justify a book–I’ve wasted, more than likely, months of time I could have spent on a novel.
Still, I can’t get the idea out of my head. I just wish I had more time. If I were looking for a new project, I would jump at the chance to write another one. Right now, though, my writing is backlogged horribly, and I have so many parental obligations, as well, and I just don’t have the time.
Maybe if I just clear up my schedule a bit…
