I’m close to finishing a new novel, a ghost story. I’ve written them before, Something Upstairs, The Seer of Shadows, and even short story ghost tales as in Strange Happenings. Upon reading them, someone inevitably asks me, “Do you believe in ghosts?” My answer, “No, but I believe in ghost stories.”
In western literature, ghost stories have a very long and distinguished history. You’ll find them in Homer, the Bible, in Roman plays. Shakespeare wonderfully begins Hamlet with a notable ghost, Hamlet’s father. Edgar Allen Poe did much to make the genre popular. And on it goes, into the modern era. In a presumptively secular age, they still exist, and certainly, they do in books for young people.
Just recently, I was talking to some fifth graders, and asked them why they liked such stories. A girl answered, “I like ghost stories because they give me the shivers.”
I don’t think that young people like to be truly frightened, but shivers in the context of a safe environment, surely must be delicious. It is the juxtaposition of safe and scary that makes such stories attractive.
Writing them is hard, the task being to make the unbelievable believable. You have to lead the reader to a place that cannot—in reality—exist. It’s all about craft, not belief. If ever there is a genre expressly written to meet the reader’s desire, the ghost story is it.
Scary stuff.
29 thoughts on “Scary stuff”
An emotional response is always what leaves us coming back for more… We get shivers, we get feels, we throw the book across the room and turn into the Incredible Hulk. But not every book can do that, which is why we treasure the ones that do the most.
Dear Avi,
I have just finished the second book of the Crispin series, and I checked out the third one from my school library today. It got me wondering: What would it be like if a movie director offered to turn one of your movies into a book? If you had the choice of what book, which one would you choose? My personal recommendation would be the Crispin trilogy. I think that this would turn into a great blog post. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, your fan, Connor.
Oops, I made a typo. What I meant to say was what would it be like if someone offered you to turn one of your books into a movie, not one of your movies into a book. My apologies.
We love the Crispin trilogy, too! We got so attached to the characters — Crispin and Bear.
The Poppy series!
Any takers for Connor’s post? Which of my books would you like to have made into a movie?
I’ll go last.
Fighting Ground would be my top pick. The first of your books that I read and still my favorite.
My choice: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
My students’ choice: Poppy
Poppy — for sure! My fourth graders fell in love with the characters when I read it aloud to them. After speaking like Ereth, my throat sure felt scratchy — I guess it was just what I thought he’d sound like. Later in he school year, I could say something in Poppy’s voice or Ragweed’s voice and the kids would immediately guess who was speaking. I’d LOVE to see her story on the big screen! She’s a hero! Maybe even 4D — the smells would be … Interesting!
I’d like Beyond the Western Sea as a four or five hour miniseries.
I would love to see True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle made into a movie!! (As long as they would use your ending).
With the resurgence of female leads, I think it’s an opportune time for Charlotte to have her movie! 🙂
My vote is with Charlotte Doyle for a movie–strong girl character! But I’d go to any of your stories made into a movie!
My vote is for THE FIGHTING GROUND. It made for a powerful readers theatre script, and I’m sure it would play out just as well on the big screen.
I haven’t read them but Bright Shadow or Midnight Magic seem like they would be great as a movie.
No contest– Charlotte Doyle. But I’d go see any of them!!
I vote for Charlotte Doyle but only if they stay true to the story, especially the ending. But I agree with Leigh — I’d see any of your books on the big screen!
Poppy or Ragweed! Both would be great as movies!
Our family loves your books!
🙂
The Crispin series for me, personally, as stated in my previous comment.
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Midnight Magic, or the Crispin: The Cross of Lead, those were some of the first books I read by you that had me hooked on historical fiction.
Definitely The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. It would make such an awesome movie and is one of my all time favourite books.
I’ll echo the votes for CHARLOTTE DOYLE, but I’d also love, love, love to see CRISPIN on the big screen (a bit of my Newbery bias, perhaps?). You’ve written so many terrific books that create movies in readers’ minds. So you’ve already one-upped Hollywood, Avi!
It is a hard choice between True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Crispin the Cross of Lead (book 1 — 3). I would like to see them these books turn into movies. =)
Your books have been so dear to me throughout my life. It would be thrilling to see any film adaptation of your work but my top choice would be The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Actually its a tie between Charlotte Doyle and Something Upstairs, another of my absolute favorites:) Of course, I’m not sure any film could do your stories justice but they would still be amazing!
Charlotte Doyle, there need to be more films that feature strong, young female protagonists who break out of the mold society has set for them. I read that book as a young girl (I’m 35 now) and was totally inspired by Charlotte. I have given more copies of that book away to young women than any other.
I have always longed to see The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle as a movie. I was always able to imagine everything so clearly as I read the story and I would love to see how it would be interpreted in film.
I’d choose Midnight Magic! It was one of my favorite books!
I think Crispin would make a rich, moving miniseries.
I would love to see The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle as a movie (as long as they follow the book). It is my absolute favorite book and it’s the reason why I read now. It would translate to the movies really well. But I would watch any movie from your books!
You did get your idea for Something Upstairs from one who believed the story, and you indicated you believed it, too! 🙂