If you read the Leaper Chronicles, you will find that I incorporate ghosts into my story. Gary is a spiritualist, which takes on a new meaning in the story. It means he can commune with ghosts. Some of you may be wondering what my actual belief is regarding this pseudo-controversial topic. Well, at least, I considered it to be controversial enough to write my senior thesis on the subject.

I used to be staunch unbeliever. That was until my parents experienced a ghostly encounter. Unlike the other testimonies, I knew two things about my parents–they were unbelievers and they are honest to a fault. Once I had heard my parents story, I began to research the topic, trying to make the idea of ghosts fit in my understanding of the universe– which I must admit isn’t that vast.

Now, I want to believe, but I have yet to see something so compelling to make me believe. While there are thousands of compelling videos and photos, there is also the possibility that they have been faked. The same is true with ghost hunting shows. Well, all of them except for a few– one of which is a family favorite. It is the youtube show called Ghost Files. What makes the show more trustworthy is that one of the hosts is a nonbeliever. What makes the show a favorite to watch is the way the two hosts play off each other. It is enjoyable watching them interact.

Maybe it is my unbelief, or maybe it was my desire to create a magical realm that felt real, but as Gary would tell us–most of the ghost hunter haunts are not actually haunted. Of course, Gary is a fictional character and not a real expert. What Gary doesn’t explain to Lydia in the Chronicles is that there are feral ghosts that have attached themselves to this plane. Currently my next project centers around Gary. As more of the novel starts to form, I will share some of the content.

Do you believe in ghosts? Whether you do or do not, this is a safe place. There will be no judgement from me.