How to Write Ghost Stories: Haunting, Atmosphere and Fantasy Influences Explained

Learn how to write compelling ghost stories, including key techniques for atmosphere, tension, and how the genre influences fantasy storytelling.

Ghost stories are one of the oldest and most enduring forms of storytelling—but writing one that truly unsettles and lingers with readers takes skill.

In this episode, I’m joined by Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows Podcast to explore what makes ghost stories work—and how they connect to the wider fantasy genre.

We break down both the craft and the tradition of ghost storytelling, including:

• What defines a ghost story and its core features
• How to build atmosphere, tension, and dread
• Techniques for writing haunting, memorable scenes
• Classic and modern examples—and why they work
• The influence of ghost stories on fantasy storytelling
• Common mistakes to avoid when writing supernatural fiction

If you want to write ghost stories that genuinely unsettle readers and add depth to your fantasy writing, this episode will show you how to do it right.

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Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcast

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