by Ty Rowan
(Shadowfax Author Series: Writers on Writing)
So yeah. Ghosting is NOT cool. But some people keep doing it. Right?
A few years ago I thought … maybe I should write a book about that—with a twist.
The idea for my YA novel GHOSTING (IS NOT COOL) popped into my head like a ghost, almost fully formed, haunting me for days until I took it seriously and welcomed it into my home.
This is the first thing I jotted down when the muse first came knocking:
A boy is ghosted by his girlfriend and then ends up dead. Or undead. As a ghost, he meets another girl in Purgatory and the two try to solve the mystery of his death.
That was pretty much the entire story in a nutshell. Immediately, I had a good sense of the eerie setting, the tone, the basic story arc.
It sounded like a lot of fun to me, which is important when you’re planning on writing tens of thousands of words on something. Believe me.
I really liked the “ghosting” element, and various plays on the word. Because of the all-too-common (and very uncool) practice of ghosting other human beings by ignoring them, acting like they’re invisible, this book also ended up being an exploration of how so many people feel unseen, as if we’re ghost-walking through life.
I thought maybe this story would remind them they aren’t alone. Even when it feels like it.
Turns out … GHOSTING (IS NOT COOL) was one of the quickest stories I’ve ever written, although I added a few more parts (and characters) later to provide more perspective and to crank up the paranormal fun. But it also turned out to be one heck of a ride.
A murder mystery. A story of redemption. A spooky tale of the Afterlife. A love story that transcends life and death.
Here’s the dedication. I wrote this before I even finished writing the story:
For the ghost in you and me. Because we all have felt invisible or only half-alive, sometimes—and we all have the potential for greater things.
In case it helps, remember you are not alone, even when it feels like it. We’re all in this crazy thing called life together, walking around like ghosts, biding our time until our number’s up.
So, make the most of it—and never ghost someone or try to make someone else feel like a ghost. Because we all matter and we all have the potential for wonderful things.
Along the way, I hope you dance to the music of your better angels. It’s a beautiful song. After all, it’s you.
Right now, the ebook of GHOSTING (IS NOT COOL) is FREE on Amazon for a limited time (starting May 14). Grab a copy!
THE AUTHOR:
Ty Rowan has had many adventures throughout the United States and abroad. He is the author of THE BARRIER, SCIOMANCER, TROGS, and many other books. Currently, he lives on a forested mountain by a stream in New York State.
Shadowfax Books 