I'm Passing a Question on to you.

[Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller]

When I tell Ghost Stories at an event, I like to tell people, "I don't care if it's true, I just tell a good story." (In more religious or skeptical settings it helps to relax the audience.) But I was just asked a big question that I thought I'd pass on to you.
--What is the difference between a fictional ghost story and a "true" one? -- (the person asking did the finger quotes on true)
What do you think?

[David S. Sharp]

Hi Daniel:

The Irish would say they would never let the facts get in the way of the truth. Assuming that if one does not believe in ghosts then how could they be "true"? The setting and atmosphere probably mean everything. I always think of the cowardly lion in the Hollywood version of "The Wizard of Oz" where he says, "I do believe in spooks, I do, I do".

What a fun idea for a discussion group. I don't tell any ghost stories yet, but would like to, I would, I would.

Dave Sharp

[Rivka Willick]

The way I understand it is, the true haunted tales, fingers making quotation marks true, are those stories which someone asserts is true - ie - "The handprint on the prison wall" or Jersey Devil (which we all know is true) and the fictional ghost stories are those that were made created (Poe, several of mine). RW

[Tammy Wilson]

Well, our book that we just finished is "true" ghost stories meaning that the stories are those that people have actually experienced rather than just heard. Hard core skeptics won't believe them no matter what and the people that want to be entertained by them will be whether they're "true" or not, but if people understand that these are real experiences, they may look at them differently.

[Julie Barnson]

Hmmm....I think it depends upon whether or not that person believed them. If he doesn't believe in it, then there's no difference at all.

Julie

[Marilyn A. Hudson]

Easy, the fictional is one that is totally made up and known to be a work of fiction (maybe your own creation?).

The "true" one is a product of urban legend, folklore, or has similar historical context (such as witnesses and oral stories). I apply the term by prefacing it with "Many people believe this story to be true...." or "There are some who consider this story true..."

I usually avoid ghost stories for religious groups or in some educational settings (wrong age level and/ or I have not been asked to tell such a story). Such tales can be shared for their history/cultural/social context but some are easily offended. Even by Macbeth!

[Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller]

Marilyn
Having been trained in theatre, I have Ghost Stories about the "Scottish Play." I would say people are more scared then offended. (scared of what, is their concern.)
Thanks
Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller

[David Bullock]

Dan: It was a story, finger quotes or not, after all, ghosts haven't been proven to exist . . . . have they? (He said as a chill vibrated throughout his being.)

[Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller]

Dave
Knock on wood.
Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller

[Laurie Allen]

I have done a fair amount of telling ghost stories to tour groups (i.e. Ogden and Salt Lake City Ghost Tours) and it doesn't matter how plausible or implausible a story is....some will believe and some won't. Most of what we tell on tour could be regarded as oral history, because we interview people about their experiences and then retell them. Of course, some of the stories get "fleshed out" a bit, but that is what storytellers do. I feel that if someone shares their story, it is at least true for them. Or are all those who have paranormal experiences liars? If I am telling what happened to someone (or what they say happened to them), I feel that that is a "true" ghost story. If it's something I gleaned from a work of fiction or made up myself, then it isn't. Of course, then there are the tales of ghostly encounters in my own family, but why muddy the waters with too much fact! Laurie Allen

[Laurie Allen]

I have done a fair amount of telling ghost stories to tour groups (i.e. Ogden and Salt Lake City Ghost Tours), and most of what we tell are more in the area of oral history. We interview people and then retell what they have experienced (or say they have experienced). Unless they are all lying to us, I feel that these are "true" ghost stories. At least they are more "true" than something gleaned from a work of fiction or something I made up. At any rate, there will always be believers and nonbelievers in the supernatural...no matter how many people have had encounters. Does it matter? They are all a lot of fun to tell! Laurie Allen

[Albert (Al) Fowler]

I stood in the middle of "the ghost room" of an old military barracks in Victoria, BC. There had been reports of the former occupant having been awakened by a man and a boy standing at the foot of the bed. I could feel a cold chill rising up the back of my neck... I don't believe is ghosts,... but I did find a small crucifix to place on the wall prior to retiring for the night.... What mattered if were true...... or not..... what mattered were the hairs on the back of my neck.

[Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller]

I love that story. A true stroy. I hope I can tell you the story of the "Haunted Cross" some time. I hope you found your own.