I have only read very classic traditional English ghost stories, other than Henry James, who wrote some magnificent short ones as well as the longer 'Turn of the Screw.' He, Dickens, and M.R. James are my influences.

Susan Hill

Classic Dickens English Ghost He Henry Influences James Longer Magnificent Only Other Read Screw Short Some Stories Than Traditional Turn Very Well Who Wrote

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Though they don't always have to be set in fog, weather is incredibly important in ghost stories. As is suspense: you've got to turn the screw very, very slowly.

I wrote ghost stories because I'd always enjoyed reading them, and they seemed to be fizzling out... I don't take them terribly seriously. It's like a cake, with ingredients.

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I've always loved Dickens. And Henry James. Tolstoy, Dostoevski.

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And it's impossible for me to read Henry James.

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If you were writing a short ghost story, I would say start very quietly and go, 'One, two, three jump.' Or start with a jump and make it jumpier. But with a long story, it must have rises and falls.