For centuries, people have enjoyed ghost stories of all kinds. Why do we love to read tales that involve spirits of the dead? Maybe because it is comforting to believe that the human spirit can transcend the grave. But there is something sublimely special about ghosts that are romantically and erotically connected to the living. Sometimes lovers are human beings who for various reasons become involved in helping ghosts pass over. Other times humans and ghosts find a passionate connection.
Dark Moon Rising
Here are ten tips authors use to combine erotica with ghosts:
1. The Beautiful Ghost
The appearance of a transparent figure, a young, lovely woman in a flowing white gown, is one traditional, romantic image of a ghost. Edgar Allan Poe wrote that there could be no more fitting subject for poetry than the death of a beautiful woman. He demonstrated this in his famous poem "The Raven" which is a lament for the "lost Lenore." Creating a beautiful female ghost that has tragic, emotional ties to a living person is both romantic and erotic. In my latest novel, a sensual paranormal romance entitled Dark Moon Rising, there are two beautiful female ghosts.
2. The Handsome Ghost
The presence of a gorgeous male ghost can be just as erotic and romantic. The film "Ghost" stands out in my mind as particularly evocotive. Patrick Swayze and his girlfriend, played by Demi Moore, are deeply in love. After he is murdered, his love for her keeps his ghost grounded.
3. Setting the Scene
The House
In the Gothic romance tradition, there is often a house, not just any house. It can be a castle, a plantation home, a mansion. It should have a romantic history. The house needs to be haunted by at least one spirit, possibly more than one. The human who becomes enmeshed in the ghost's story may fall passionately in love with the ghost.
Creepy Locations
One favorite place for humans and ghosts to meet is a cemetery. I have a cemetery scene in Dark Moon Rising which adds to the mystique connected to one of the ghosts.
All kinds of eerie, erotic scenes are possible. Subterranean dungeons, secret passageways, these are just some of the places to encounter a sexy spirit. There is a combination of horror and romance that is erotically pleasurable.
4. Eternal Love
What can be more erotic than pledging a love which transcends the grave? Cathy and Heathcliff have a love/hate relationship that can only be satisfied in this way. It actually transcends physical desire. Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights is memorable because of the erotic passion at the heart of the novel.
5. The Past
Gothic romances are often set in the past. We tend to romanticize the Medieval period, for example. Passionate, supernatural love stories are often more believable when they occur in a past time. What could be more erotic than lovemaking in places that have towers, turrets, and battlements? Fantasy romances like ghost stories take advantage of the erotic possibilities in time twists.
6. The Present
Ghost stories set in the present can be just as erotic as those set in the past. Sometimes, in fact, past and present can combine to create a stronger plot. In
Dark Moon Rising, each ghost has her own reason for remaining earthbound, one who lived centuries ago, another who is contemporary. Yet thematically, their stories interconnect.
7. Mysterious Deaths
Ghosts should have died violent deaths. A need for closure with a loved one often drives them to make themselves known to the living object of his or her desire. A puzzling mystery can connect to the death which also needs resolution before the spirit can pass on.
8. Objects and Symbolism
One of the devices common in ghost love stories is the portrait of the deceased hanging somewhere in the haunted house. The human lover is attracted to the portrait which often is associated with supernatural powers. A writer can use various objects which become unifying symbols of the strong attraction between lovers. Letters and diaries are other examples.
9. Ghostly Behavior
The human lover senses and feels the presence of the ghost in many ways. There can be seductive dreams for instance. The writer should appeal to the senses whenever possible. For example, often the presence of a ghost spirit is signified by coldness. Also, a particular sound like a ticking clock or a sudden, strange laugh coming from nowhere might signify the ghostly presence. In an erotic novel, a ghostly touch is desirable.
10. Frustration Factor
Passion slowly builds toward an eventual consummation in the physical sense. Writers use plot in clever ways so the ghost and human lover can unite. One device is to have the ghost inhabit the body of a human host for a given time.
An erotic ghost story is especially satisfying because it combines passionate love with a paranormal plot. Romance, mystery, suspense, and elements of the paranormal thriller combine to create an absorbing novel.
Jacqueline Seewald
Biography
Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist.
Fifteen of her books of fiction have been published to critical praise including the romances: THE CHEVALIER, TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, THE DEVIL AND DANNA WEBSTER as well as romantic mysteries: THE INFERNO COLLECTION, THE DROWNING POOL, THE TRUTH SLEUTH, DEATH LEGACY, and THE BAD WIFE.
Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies such as THE WRITER, L.A. TIMES, PEDESTAL, SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY MAGAZINE, OVER MY DEAD BODY!, GUMSHOE REVIEW, THE MYSTERY MEGAPACK, LIBRARY JOURNAL, and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.
Jacqueline has also had published a collection of short stories: BEYOND THE BO TREE: TEN TALES OF ROMANCE.
Links
Website: http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.seewald
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquelineSeewa