An Introduction to Haunting: Writing Ghost Stories with CJ Cooke

Ghosts aren't really about the dead - they're about what refuses to leave. A guilt that lingers. A house that remembers. A voice that won't be silenced.

In this 2-hour writing workshop, we'll explore what makes a ghost story work - not jump scares, but atmosphere, absence, and the things left unsaid. We'll look at how the best ghost stories use haunting as a way of telling the truth about grief, memory, and the past returning to claim its due.

CJ Cooke is an award-winning, bestselling novelist. Having spent the last 20+ years teaching creative writing, she leads this workshop with the aim of helping writers of all levels to master the fundamentals of storytelling through a powerful premise.

Through a series of short writing exercises, you'll develop your own haunted space, object, or presence, and begin shaping it into a piece of writing - whether that's the seed of a short story, a scene, or simply an exercise in atmosphere and voice.

No prior experience necessary; this workshop is designed to welcome complete beginners as well as more experienced writers looking to explore the gothic and supernatural in their work.

Event page image credit: Photo by Photos_frompasttofuture on Unsplash

Author image credit: Phil Sharp