What are some effective ways to handle a ghost story?

End it with a time - jump. Show how the events of the ghost story have affected the main character in the long run. Maybe years later, they still get a shiver down their spine when they think about it, but they have also learned to live with the memory. It gives a sense of how deeply the ghost story has impacted them.

You could also begin a story by introducing a unique or strange object. For example, 'In the middle of the table, there was a small, glowing box. No one knew where it came from or what it was for.' This object becomes a focal point and the reader will be interested in finding out more about it and how it relates to the rest of the story.

Tell the story to someone else. This forces you to organize your thoughts and recall all the details. You might even discover parts that you didn't remember clearly before, and this process of retelling helps solidify the story in your memory.

One effective way is to end with a resolution. Tie up all the loose ends and give the characters a final state that satisfies the reader. For example, in a mystery story, the detective finally reveals who the culprit is and how they did it. Another way is to end with a cliffhanger, which leaves the reader wanting more. This can be used if you plan to write a sequel. Also, an emotional ending can be very effective. If it's a love story, perhaps the couple finally gets together after many obstacles, leaving the reader with a warm feeling.

You can end it with a powerful image. Say, a lone figure standing on a cliff as the sun sets, which can symbolize many things like new beginnings or solitude. It allows the reader to interpret it in their own way and gives a sense of finality.

You can use the character's inner thoughts to convey sadness. Let the reader peek into the character's mind. For example, 'He thought about all the things he had lost, and a heavy feeling settled in his chest. It was like a dark cloud that wouldn't go away, and he felt so alone in this world.' This shows the depth of the character's sadness through their own thoughts.

One way is to have a satisfying resolution where the main character achieves their goal. For example, if it's a story about a detective solving a case, the end could be the detective finally arresting the culprit and getting justice. This gives a sense of closure to the reader.

One way is to return to the beginning. For example, if the story starts with a character in a specific place, like a small cottage by the lake, end the story with the character back in that same cottage, but with a different perspective or feeling, perhaps having gone through a life - changing journey. Another way is to use a circular ending, where the last line or paragraph echoes the first in some way, like starting with 'The day was cold and gray' and ending with 'The day was still cold, but now there was a glimmer of hope.'

A twist ending can be great. For instance, the character who was thought to be the villain turns out to be the true hero all along. It makes the reader go back and re - evaluate the whole story.

One way is to start with a sudden, unexpected event. For instance, 'The ground shook violently as a giant, fire - breathing dragon emerged from the deep chasm in the middle of the peaceful meadow. All the animals scattered, and the villagers watched in horror.' This grabs the reader's attention right away.