In the quiet hours of the night, when the world seems to hold its breath, have you ever felt a chill crawl up your spine, whispering secrets of the unseen? It’s a moment that beckons the question: Are ghosts real? Read below to see arguments for and against the spectral beings. Nevertheless, I delve into the unknown at the beginning of my novel, “The Devil That Haunts Me.” I suspend the belief of those who think there’s no such thing as a ghost to present one that is more of a poltergeist than a ghost.

I like to think of a poltergeist as a being that has graduated from being a ghost. This being is in a league of their own. To add more detail to my paranormal inquisition, the term “poltergeist” comes from German words meaning “noisy ghost,” they’re known for much more than just making a racket. Poltergeists are associated with physical disturbances—objects moving on their own, doors slamming shut with no one touching them, lights flickering, and, yes, unexplained noises. Unlike traditional ghosts, poltergeists are not necessarily thought to be the spirits of the deceased. Some theories suggest poltergeist activity is actually caused by the living—specifically, individuals undergoing emotional or psychological stress, unconsciously projecting energy that causes these disturbances. In The Devil That Haunts Me, Julitza the vengeful poltergeist pushes her mother into another realm where she’s forced to witness their memories which have been joined through the generational trauma that links all these women together.

But let me tell you more about ghosts, specifically those who believe in them and those who don’t.

Arguments Against the Existence of Ghosts:

1. Scientific Skepticism: Mainstream science remains skeptical about the existence of ghosts, largely because their supposed abilities—like turning invisible or passing through walls—contradict known physical laws. Reliable scientific methods have yet to produce any concrete evidence supporting the existence of ghosts. Instead, scientific investigations have offered alternative explanations for phenomena often attributed to ghosts, such as environmental factors, psychological states, and the limits of human perception​.
2. Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinations: Some experiences attributed to ghosts can be explained by natural phenomena such as sleep paralysis, where individuals feel awake but are unable to move, often experiencing vivid hallucinations. This state, akin to “dreaming with your eyes open,” results from a disruption in the transition between sleep stages and can produce terrifying experiences mistaken for paranormal encounters​.
3. Pareidolia and Sensory Misinterpretation: Human brains are pattern-seeking and can interpret random or vague stimuli as significant, a phenomenon known as pareidolia. This tendency can lead people to see faces in inanimate objects or hear meaningful sounds in white noise—common occurrences in so-called ghost encounters. Similarly, instances of inattentional blindness, where individuals miss obvious features in their environment when focusing on something else, can contribute to misinterpreting normal events as paranormal​.

Arguments for the Belief in Ghosts:

1. Personal Testimonies and Experiences: Many people report personal encounters with ghosts, describing detailed interactions with apparitions or sensing the presence of a deceased loved one. These experiences are often vivid and impactful, leading individuals to firmly believe in the existence of spirits beyond the physical world.
2. Historical and Cultural Prevalence: The belief in ghosts spans cultures and centuries, suggesting a deep-rooted aspect of human consciousness or an innate fascination with the afterlife. Such widespread beliefs could point to an underlying truth or a universal psychological phenomenon that merits further exploration.
3. Unexplained Phenomena: Despite scientific skepticism, there remain numerous accounts of phenomena that defy easy explanation, such as objects moving without apparent cause, untraceable sounds, and electronic voice phenomena (EVP). For some, the lack of a clear scientific explanation for these occurrences opens the door to considering paranormal explanations.

I’ll let you make your own judgment, but back to The Devil That Haunts Me. The story unfolds with Isabella, who, in a poignant encounter with her daughter Julitza’s ghost, is thrust into a realm where time stands still and reality warps. This otherworldly experience isn’t just about the chills and thrills of ghostly encounters but a deeper, more introspective journey through the corridors of generational trauma, regrets, and the unbreakable bonds that tie a mother to her child.

The Ghosts of Our Past

In “The Devil That Haunts Me,” Julitza’s spirit doesn’t just haunt; it pushes. She pushes her mother into a space where the past and present merge, revealing that ghosts aren’t merely spectral beings but the manifestation of our deepest fears, unspoken regrets, and unresolved traumas. As Isabella traverses this liminal space, she confronts the haunting realization that she and Julitza are reflections of each other, bound by more than blood—by the mistakes and choices that echo through their lineage.

This spectral journey isn’t just Isabella’s; it’s ours. It asks us to consider if ghosts might be the emotional and psychological specters of our past actions, the ‘what ifs,’ and the ‘if only’ that haunt our conscience. It’s a thought that might send shivers down your spine more than any ghost story ever could because it’s rooted in our reality.

A Haunt Through Generational Trauma

The novel peels back the layers of Isabella and Julitza’s relationship, laying bare the generational trauma that binds them. It’s a haunting narrative thread, suggesting that the ghosts of our ancestors walk among us, not in chains, but in the repeated patterns and choices we see in our families. Through Isabella’s eyes, we witness the cyclical nature of trauma, how the actions of La Doña ripple through time, affecting her and Julitza in ways they couldn’t have imagined.

This exploration begs the question: Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of our forebears, or can we break free from these spectral chains? “The Devil That Haunts Me” suggests that acknowledgment and understanding of these ghosts can be the first step towards healing and breaking the cycle.

The Reality of Ghosts

So, are ghosts real? In the traditional sense, the jury might still be out. However, “The Devil That Haunts Me” offers a compelling narrative that ghosts exist in the memories and traumas that shape our lives. They are the regrets that haunt us, the love that refuses to fade, and the pain that echoes through generations. These ghosts push us, compel us to examine our lives, and, perhaps, find redemption and closure.

As you turn the pages of “The Devil That Haunts Me,” remember that sometimes, the most haunting ghosts are those of what could have been and can still be changed. It’s a journey through the shadows, not just to confront the specters of the past but to understand them, learn from them, and, ultimately, let them go.

In exploring the question of whether ghosts are real, we find that they are not only real but essential. They are the keepers of our past, the mirrors to our soul, and the push we sometimes need to move forward. So, let’s embrace our ghosts, for they have much to teach us about the depths of our hearts and the strength of our spirit.

Until next time, don’t forget to check out the first unedited seven chapters of The Devil That Haunts Me, sign up to receive an ARC, and stay updated on its release!