by Tim McGregor
After that, the weird incidents stopped. Or my feeble mind stopped drawing conclusions around unrelated events. Yet the erosion of scepticism continued and the possibility of the paranormal became more real and it all led here, to The Spookshow.
Where do stories come from? In my experience, it's often a mish-mash of stuff stewing in the back of the brain until the pot boils over. One of those elements was a fondness for paranormal reality TV shows. Psychic Kids was a favourite, where adult mediums would mentor kids with psychic abilities learn to understand their own unique talents. Most of the kids featured on that program could see or sense the dead around them and what was fascinating (and heartbreaking at the same time) was how terrifying that would be to a child. Unable to understand what they were experiencing, these children often withdrew into themselves. Their schooling would suffer and they would lose friends and become isolated as the world around them became frightening. The parents of these poor kids were at their wit's end, unable to understand or help their child. Most episodes ended on a happy note as the adult psychic would give the child tools to cope with the spirit world. I knew from the first episode that I saw that a child with sensitivities would make for a great story but the idea never went anywhere. It stayed in the brain and stewed.
An even bigger influence is The Dead Files. If you're familiar with that show, you might recognize the influence in the pairing of a psychic and a cop in the Spookshow. I find Amy Allen (the psychic on the Dead Files) really compelling in how she physically reacts to the paranormal entities she encounters. She may not be the most articulate person, and she curses a fair deal, but it's all part of the charm for me. The cop on the show, a retired homicide detective, uncovers very strange and startling history behind the places the pair investigate. Ghosts, crimes and mysteries...what's not to love?
So, back to the timeless question. Do you believe in ghosts? Do you think it's hokum or is there some truth to it? Have you ever had a paranormal or unexplainable experience? I want to know. You can email me at mcgregor (dot) tim (at) gmail.com.
I love a good ghost story.
Toronto
February 2015
Thanks for reading The Spookshow. If you have a minute, let me know what you think in a review. Reviews helps the book find its way to other readers, so even a few lines would be appreciated.
Books 2 and 3 are out now, book 4 will be available August 2015
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By the same author
KILLING DOWN THE ROMAN LINE
OLD FLAMES, BURNED HANDS
BAD WOLF
PALE WOLF
LAST WOLF
THE SPOOKSHOW
WELCOME TO THE SPOOKSHOW
SPOOKSHOW 3: The Women in the Walls
Available on Amazon US here
and on Amazon UK here
