Quick writing tips from a paranormal investigator
You don't have to get into the paranormal to find the push to write, but maybe Noel Boyd's advice will help
If you need inspiration to write, why not give yourself a scare?
Well, no, not really. But actually…
It might be a good idea. I got it indirectly from Noel Boyd, a Singapore-based paranormal investigator, Ghost Files author and TV host, producer and director who’s set to be a speaker at the 2023 Singapore Writers Festival this November.
Catch his programme “They’re Here…” on 18 and 19 November, 9pm at The Arts House, and be spooked (but in a good way).
How to “scare” yourself to write
I’m exaggerating here. You obviously don’t need to scare yourself in order to put your thoughts to paper or online. (Or could you?)
But since we’re talking to Noel and his work as a paranormal investigator (more on that in a while) – and in the spirit of the Singapore Writers Festival – I asked him how we can express our work and thoughts into words for different media, and to connect with people.
#1 Honesty
“You’ve got to be honest from the get-go,” he says.
“People will see right through lies at some point. Many nice people have approached me to talk about a chapter or paragraph in my book. I highly doubt I would remember it if I made up a story. Get what I mean?”
#2 Be relatable
“Thankfully, in Asia, most people can relate to ghost stories. I got lucky there.
“So if a person wants to write a book, it would be awesome if it’s a topic that the masses would be interested in.”
#3 Lots of love
“You should write a book because you love writing, not because some website says you should be an author to enhance your credibility.
“I’ve learnt that everything in life should be done with a lot of heart. The sky’s the limit when there’s love.”
The scary and unknown can still affect you, though
It does Noel.
“Honestly, my thoughts can be dark and morbid,” he admits.
“I feel this happens when one immerses themselves in dark history where it’s all about violent deaths. These places that I visit have negative residual energy too. I’ve learnt that meditation helps a lot. I listen to positive affirmations every day too. Oh, and I’ve also learnt to be less serious and I laugh way more than I’ve ever had.”
Yes, Noel doesn’t let his fears stand in the way. Besides, he knows what he’s doing.
“So many things can go wrong when a person explores a haunted location,” he notes.
“What sets me apart from the average Joe is I’ve got experience. I know the trigger warnings and I know when something really bad is gonna happen. The last thing anyone in their right mind would want to encounter is a demonic entity. A person’s life can instantly change for the worse in scenarios like this.”
On to more scary stuff
I like horror and suspense, so I can’t resist quizzing Noel on his favourite paranormal investigations and experiences in Singapore. (It could even serve as a preview to his talk.)
#1 Pulau Ubin
“I don’t have a favourite per se as each experience is unique,” he says.
“However, Pulau Ubin comes to mind because that island is terrifying at night! There are different levels of paranormal activity on the island.”
#2 Muslim cemetery
“In my opinion, the Muslim cemetery is by far the most haunted location in Singapore,” he adds.
“It was at this place that I encountered a female entity. While I did not see it, I heard her sing and I had consecutive nightmares where this Pontianak-looking entity would appear and tempt me to walk towards it. I would wake up every morning at the same time with a high fever that would last for an hour.”
“Along the boardwalk, my team and I constantly felt like we were being followed. We heard eerie growls and demonic voices, and we felt this immense level of fear. To this day, I cannot explain what we encountered and what is protecting the reservoir.”
“I would love to spend the night, or even a few days, at Old Changi Hospital. I’ve been there once, in just one building, and it isn’t enough! I want to feel the place for what it really is and communicate with lost entities. I get goosebumps whenever I think about this!”
Noel doesn’t have any favourite ghost stories, though.
“Is it weird that I have none? I don’t watch horror content or read horror. People always have this strange look on their faces when I tell them this,” he muses.
“I’m into all things romance and I read a lot of biographies and cookbooks. My favourite biography is Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.”
But there’s a twist
A plot twist, that is. Since we mentioned the Singapore Writers Festival earlier, let’s add that their theme for this year is “plot twist”.
And if there’s anything that’s full of plot twists, paranormal investigations would be it. (Plus your writing.)
“As a paranormal investigator, I’ve encountered various plot twists in investigations,” Noel says.
“I always research the locations that we film at. This allows me to identify hotspots and names of the deceased. Also, dark history and stories from the past will explain why a particular place is haunted.
“Most times during an investigation, I would find that an area that isn’t talked about much to have the most paranormal activity. There have been times where my team would find information on the fly that would help with the questions I ask.”
It sounds farfetched, but maybe thinking of and encountering plot twists could be another tip to liven up your writing? It could be a different kind of scare then. And it could be a good one too, with good results!
Find Noel here, and the Singapore Writers Festival here. The festival will be from 17 to 26 November 2023. There will be book launches, exhibitions, lots of local and international speakers, workshops and performances. You might find more writing inspiration there.
Writing prompts
• What the one recent thing that scared you?
• How do you overcome fear?
• What are you afraid of?
• What’s one plot twist from a story or movie that you love?
• How does fear motivate you?