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A SPIRIT GUIDE’S GUIDE TO WRITING PARANORMAL
By Linda Joy Singleton and Opal

I didn’t set out to write paranormal books.  My first published book was a humorous midgrade titled ALMOST TWINS.  Then I wrote several Sweet Dream teen romances.  I envisioned a career writing humorous and romantic mysteries.

But then something strange and unexplainable happened. Weird entities began appearing in my work. Ghosts, aliens, monsters, clones, mermaids and magical beings.  Other worlds opened, invited my writing muse inside -- and I accepted.

In THE SEER (my YA series about a psychic teen who solves mysteries while trying to fit in at high school), one of the main characters is a quirky “spirit guide” named Opal.  I’d never read a book with a spirit guide sidekick and had no rules to follow. Fortunately, Opal is an ancient soul and very bossy.  She made it clear who was in charge – and it wasn’t me.

Since it’s always helpful to get advice from experts, here are five tips for writing paranormal fiction direct from the Other Side. Here’s Opal!

Giving advice from such a distance, often referred to as the “other side”, is no piece of angel cake!  There’s this huge language barrier, often resulting in mind pictures rather than actual words.  But I have never shirked my duty, so henceforth heed the following rules for transforming ordinary books into supernatural settings with extraordinary characters (such as myself!).

Numeral One: Be True To Your Magic
All magic must have rules.  Don’t let magic solve the problem for a main character unless it’s true to the story.  Magic is not plot.  Never break a rule to escape a plot point. If a ghost can’t go through solid objects, then even if you want the ghost to enter a locked room to help your main character, don’t do it.  Stick to your magic rules or readers will feel cheated.

Numeral Two: Understand the Science of Magic
You do not need to believe in magic to create magical stories, but you do have to treat magic with respect.  While some readers will consider spirit guides fantasy, believers will expect a realistic portrayal of the other side.  Do your research. Make your readers believe in the magic of your words.

Numeral Three: Ordinary Worlds, Extraordinary Writers
How many times have you read a fantasy and recognized similarities to other books? A teen wizard in school is not that original.  It’s the combo of setting, plot, characters and a unique writing voice that makes an ordinary book into something truly magical. Analyze yourself; your interests, emotions, fears, secrets and joys. Dig deep.  Don’t hold back. Sharing your soul is the heart of magical writings. Bring your unique “You-ness” to your writing; the heart and soul of magic.

Numeral Four: Go Forth and Commit to the Written Page
Not everyone can be enlightened with supernatural abilities.  Writers are human, after all, and moments of inspiration can be fleeting.  The actual act of writing takes organization and hard work.  Organize story information on paper; create lists, outlines, character sheets and idea files.  When inspiration fails, resort to the ritual performed by writers through the ages.  B.I.C.  Get your Butt in the Chair and write!

Numeral Five: Do Not Write Alone
Spirit guides can’t hang around dishing out advice all the time, hence the creation of writing boards, critique groups, email lists and text messaging.  Seek advice from fellow writers; sorting out the plastic beads from pearls of wisdom.  All truth comes from within.  Listen carefully – the advice you hear could be whispers from your own guides.

(Disclaimer: No otherworld spirits were injured in the research for this article, and all factual information is indeed factual, but the writer takes no blame for vague theories and inaccuracies, only complements and royalty checks accepted).

Linda Joy Singleton has been writing and publishing for over fifteen years, and is most recently the author of the STRANGE ENCOUNTERS and THE SEER series for Llewellyn, the latter of which includes one of my favorite books, DON'T DIE, DRAGONFLY, which also, coincidentally, features Opal. Thank you Opal, for this great article, and thank you, LJ, for channeling for us! You can contact Linda Joy (and Opal, too!) at www.LindaJoySingleton.com.