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Author
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Topic: The scariest places on earth...
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Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 01-13-2003 12:48 PM
  
I've seen a show on television called the scariest places on earth.....has anyone here seen it? If so...what do you make of it?
I'm very curious to know how they find the most haunted castles and (  how the behind the scenes people have the guts to go in there if indeed they are haunted....
I'm just curious,
Mustang
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 01-13-2003 04:15 PM
Really a topic for General discussion. I'll move it shortly. I suppose that employing professional researchers helps TV companies find such places. There is a big market for literature on the supernatural. I'm sure a visit to any bookstore would help. There's also the web, e.g http://www.castlepictures.com/haunted.html
In addition, a great many individual castle web sites mention their ghosts as part of their history. A simple web search could track a few down. http://fp.kirkburn.f9.co.uk/castlelevan/history/whitelady.htm http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/041600/fea_223-6373.000.shtml http://moviefone.eonline.com/Facts/Movies/0%2C60%2C28657%2C00.html 
In the UK we have a series called Britains Most Haunted, along the same lines. I suppose the credibility you give such programmes depends on whether or not you beleive in ghosts, bear in mind that most television is dependant upon advertising, and that upon viewing figures. Any talk of ghosts must be treated as speculation, since it certainly cannot be treated as fact.------------------
'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
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Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 01-14-2003 07:26 AM
Gordon,
Sorry for the misplacement of the new topic, I didn't realize what I was doing until I actually posted the message....oops!
You are indeed right in saying that credibility should be questioned....I just feel very sorry for the camara crews that have to go into those places not knowing what to expect. |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-14-2003 11:01 AM
I think the only thing they should be leary of is other people. What Ghost has actually hurt some one?
All most any old house will have cold spots and things that go bump, thud, shriek etc.
One phenomenon that intrigues me is the feelings of dread or "stay away" that is sometimes to be found in deep forest areas and in some castles.
Now if i could only learn to do that for the inlaws ------------------
Megan and Ralph
Castle Duncan
The Web Site and Castle Duncan Forums
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Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 01-14-2003 12:51 PM
That's pretty humorous Duncan....I do understand that all old houses make strange noises that one normally wouldn't find in newer houses and maybe that's all it is but all I'm saying is what if it was something more.....there are some things that happen in castles that aren't explainable with books, and research and I'm just wondering why castles more than any other place and how those that do have do live with such phenomenons on a daily basis adjust to make way for a world they can't explain....I just happened (perhaps a little behind the rest) that it seems to be castles more than any other place...now doesn't that seem odd? |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-14-2003 04:25 PM
As you know some people put the happenings down to human or other energy's collected in one place. Castles being built for defence certainly would have seen more then the average share of human feelings over the ages.
Some if not most being built upon earlier places that were known for the strong energy's that are found in the earth's magnetic Field, or Leylines, couldn't hurt the pool either.
How do people adjust? Maybe they just live with it as most would with a noisy neighbor, or, they see and feel what is happening around them and have found an explanation with in them selfs to the abnormal that they can live with.
Some believe, and others know, what lies around them that defies modern science.
just my thoughts on the subject.
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Megan and Ralph
Castle Duncan
The Web Site and Castle Duncan Forums
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 01-14-2003 05:04 PM
Maybe it's just that castles have more history than most places, and in many cases being dark and dank, fire the imagination.
After all, that's why most of us got interested.....though not necessarily in ghosts.------------------
'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
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duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-15-2003 09:23 AM
What about you Mustang? Have you encountered something out of the 'normal'?I for one have always been interested in History and all of its myriad aspects including how perceptions of death has influenced life though the ages.
Levan's white lady for instance, all though I believe I'm right in saying she was in no way a lady, she is part of the history and atmosphere of the castle and has to play a part in the imagination of those who lived or visited there.
Only Levan or his family can answer the question of 'is she still hanging around?'
I guess it goes back to the old saying about the UK and its castles, what square inch of ground or rock has not seen life or death for many ages?
The history and knowing so many lives have passed the same area in which you stand must have an influence on the mind.
It's not to say that their is no more to life then what is seen, nor is it my intent to gainsay what others believe, its a choice each of us makes, like putting up with a bad neighbor. ------------------
Megan and Ralph
Castle Duncan
The Web Site and Castle Duncan Forums
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Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 01-17-2003 11:26 AM
Duncan
I encounter things out of the ordinary everyday of my life...but since you're specifically referring to my encounters with those not with us on earth...yes...I have indeed...many...
And yourself? |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-17-2003 12:14 PM
I would have to say that my entire life is very far out of the ordinary,
Not with us? are you sure......I have always studied the myths and legends of many peoples and I think being taught to read E. A. Poe's books before school age may have had some thing to do with it.
in answer to the question....yes.....in war times and in more peaceful surroundings.
Castles are a favorite haunt of mine also. (sorry bad pun , i always wanted to say that ) ------------------
Megan and Ralph
Castle Duncan |
deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 01-17-2003 02:35 PM
If you want to go somewhere scary in the UK, go to Chillingham Castle in Northumberland. I stayed there for a week (I didn't believe in ghosts - I do now!)I believe the castle featured on 'Britain's Most Haunted' but I missed it. I will describe my 'experience' in detail if you like! ------------------
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Merlin
Senior Member
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posted 01-21-2003 03:27 AM
Comparing various tales about ghosts and castles in Switzerland, I see that although almost every castle has its own story, most of them are very similar to each other. The 'white lady' is a very popular item, mostly she's guarding a treasure and can change her appearance to look like animals. Another popular item is that of the 'evil knight', who took away the prettiest maid of the village long ago and died some horrible death in return. Now he can't find his peace and can still be seen riding down from his castle in dark and stormy nights. There are dozens of variations of that and other stories - and interesting part of our cultural heritage. But from my point of view, that's all it is. |
duncan
Senior Member
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posted 01-23-2003 01:56 PM
Deborah, why not tell us what you encountered? |
Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 01-30-2003 07:25 AM
Merlin,
I think I know about the spirit you're speaking of....the white lady...*thinking* I beleive I've heard that name before...I couldn't be exactly positive but it does ring a bell. Duncan, castles are indeed a good haunt and a true adrenaline rush for me because I am a "big chicken" if you will...but I've personally preferred the tower of London, and haunted hotels...but castles are right up there too! |
deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 01-31-2003 02:48 PM
OK Duncan. The following is 100% true. We stayed in Chillingham Castle for a week in 1995 in May and the castle was deserted except for me, husband and toddler. The apartment was pretty scary even in daytime and there was one room I would not go in at all ( all this from someone who didn't believe in ghosts!)Anyway, one night I was lying in bed when an electric blue light appeared in the corner of the room. I felt at peace, not at all scared. I didn't think any more of it until, on my return home, I read a book about the Ghosts of Chillingham and discovered I had seen the Blue Boy. His remains were buried in consecrated ground so I think he is at peace now, hence my peaceful encounter. Terrifying, eh?------------------
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Mustang
Senior Member
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posted 02-03-2003 07:28 AM
WOW!!! That's really neat! You're really brave...one look at that light and I would've been outta there!!! |
deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 02-07-2003 06:48 PM
Funny really. I spent the whole week feeling petrified (needing the loo in the night was a nightmare!)but when I saw the 'Blue Boy' I didn't! It's still possible to stay at Chillingham but these days it's full of wedding guests. Not much chance of seeing a ghost now!And you have to book a long time in advance. It's a beautiful castle though and Northumberland has got to be the best county in England for castles.------------------
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 02-08-2003 05:43 PM
That's because it's as near as you can get to Scotland, without being here!------------------
'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 02-08-2003 05:52 PM
Oh, on White ladies, this seems to be at least a European thing as opposed to just British, but they certainly seem to be the most common appartition, though there are 'allegations' of sightings of grey and green ladies too. Strangely enough, the vast majority of these in Scotland are reputed to be Mary Queen of Scots, well she did get around a bit!
Mary did several tours of Scotland and virtually every castle she visited claims to be home to some sort of legend, ghostly or otherwise. She planted a tree here, and slept in a room there, and apparently haunts them all. At least three castle sites claimed to have provided her with a bed for the night before the Battle of Langside, and one of these even belonged to one of the opposition Lords!
Unpopular in life, her popularity grew after her execution, and the Victorian romanticists fed all the legends.------------------
'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
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duncan
Senior Member
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posted 02-21-2003 05:15 PM
Deborah can I have the web site for your books if they are on line?
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Megan and Ralph
Castle Duncan Better to say, 'Here it is.' than 'Here it was.'
Scottish proverb |
deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 02-22-2003 06:00 PM
Dear Duncan, my first book "The Sword of Zennon" was on a web-site but it recently closed down. I'm trying my best to get all four published the regular way! Any help would be gratefully received...------------------
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 02-22-2003 06:39 PM
Not easy, but here are a few things to think about. I am no expert, I was invited to write mine, but it is a very different sort of book.1. Beware of 'vanity' publishing, it will cost rather than make you money. Are you more interested in having a book published, or do you need to make money out of it?
2. Your book will have to be commercially viable, ie will it appeal to a wide audience, and is the content such that a publisher could make it appeal? What is different or novel about your work over that of others? ....The plot? or is it just another medieval story along the same lines as all those others? You have to show that you are different!
How are you going to convince a publisher that it is worth a risk? They will have considerable outlay if they decide to publish. Printing and binding are expensive, as is marketing. Think of their perspective, they have to convince bookretailers and wholesalers that they will be able to sell it on.
3. Think about the detail which makes a book appealing to you when you visit bookshops, are these features that appeal to many other customers ? What catches your eye, and what sells the book? Is the precis appealing?
4. Is it an easy read? Does it require work on the part of the reader to make sense of the story, or does it catch their imaginations and make them want to go on? You need other peoples constructive criticism to judge this, and it needs to be honest....not polite. In short, if someone read it, would they recommend it to their friend?
5. Once you have sorted all this out, send it to publishers (try those who specialise in similar genre first)and listen to any good advice...not the flattery which disguises the slap in the face...and follow it. You will probably get several refusals before you get acceptance, but persevere and adapt.
6. Sometimes a small independant publisher is better, they are good at marketing small numbers of books for first time authors, and may be willing to expand into new areas as they try to expand their market.
7.Make sure you get something in writing about your recompense.
8. Ask publishers about number of pages, font size etc. They have some standards to match printing requirements, which have to be met to keep the book within profit margin. A few extra pages may cost several pounds more to produce, and sell. Equally, if you picked up a novel with a lot of blank pages at the end, you wouldn't buy it because you might suspect that you weren't getting your moneys worth. Colour inclusions are very expensive, cover material........and so on.
You may have to edit or expand to make it viable. A lot to think about, but hopefully useful.
Outwith the exceptionally talented, the most determined are often those who succeed ...especially with novels.
Factual books are simpler (certainly not simple) because the market is more easily predicted by the specialty and quality of the book. [This message has been edited by Gordon (edited 02-22-2003).] |
deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 02-26-2003 05:25 PM
Cheers, I'll try to stay positive! (And let u know if I have any success!)------------------
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Gordon
unregistered
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posted 02-27-2003 08:40 AM
Good luck, but then you may not need it! |
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