A lame ghost story might be one where the characters don't react realistically to the presence of a ghost. For example, in a story, a person sees a ghostly apparition in their bedroom but instead of being terrified or trying to figure out what's going on, they just go back to sleep as if it's no big deal. This lack of proper reaction and the overall lack of depth in the story make it a rather lame ghost story.
One example could be 'The Puffy Chair'. It has elements of mumblecore with its naturalistic dialogue and indie feel, and there could be a sense of a 'ghost' in the form of unresolved relationship issues that haunt the characters, much like a traditional ghost might haunt a place.
Well, in some cracked ghost stories, there are accounts of houses with a dark past. For instance, a house where a tragic murder occurred and ever since then, people who live there or visit experience cold spots, objects moving on their own. Then there are those stories about old asylums that are said to be haunted by the spirits of former patients, with reports of screams and strange lights. Some also tell of haunted forests where hikers get lost and encounter a ghostly woman in white, who seems to lead them astray.
One example could be 'The old house was empty. Then I saw a face at the window.' Another could be 'I walked alone in the graveyard. A cold hand touched my shoulder.
Well, in some Asian ghost stories, there are spirits of ancestors that act as protectors. For instance, in a Japanese story, a samurai's ghost guards his family's temple. He appears to those who try to desecrate the place and wards them off. In Chinese folklore, the spirit of a grandmother might stay in her old home to protect her descendants from harm, especially when they are in danger from natural disasters or burglars. It's a way of showing the connection between the living and the dead in a protective sense.
One example could be 'The Bell Witch'. It's a famous dangerous ghost story where the Bell family in Tennessee was haunted by a malevolent spirit. The entity was said to torment the family, making strange noises, physically attacking family members, and even causing the death of John Bell.
To start, you need to build the atmosphere. Use descriptive language to make the reader feel the chill. Also, introduce some mystery or unanswered questions to keep them hooked. Think about the backstory of the ghost and how it ties into the present.