Kidding! It was a beautiful spring day back in 2011, and I was visiting Salem, MA for a writer's conference - NECRWA’s (New England Chapter Romance Writers of America) “Let Your Imagination Take Flight.” The lobby of the historic Hawthorne Hotel was overflowing with writers, all checking in via one small, seriously overwhelmed front desk.
I stood in line with everyone else, checking our watches, sweating a wee bit. It was 3:00 PM. Most days that wouldn’t be a problem. It’s a standard check-in time. But on this day, many of us had tickets to attend Donald Maass’ bonus workshop, beginning in thirty short minutes.
When it was my turn, I watched the desk clerk activate my plastic room key. Twitching, I glanced at my watch again and stifled a groan. 3:15 – Fifteen minutes. Yikes! Sign-in complete, I spun with my luggage to encounter the epic line for two tiny elevators. They were lovely with brass trimmings and red velvet interior back then. However, they were not lovely when you have only minutes to heave your bags into a room on the fifth floor, change, and be back downstairs to learn things, and be social. I’ll step back here and add I was a VERY NEW WRITER, and I was pitching my first book to an editor that weekend. I needed all the help Mr. Maass could give me!
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Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, MA |
Yay! That was super-weird. Now hurry!
Fast forward to later that night. I DID make it to the extra workshop and learned lots of great things from Mr. Maass. My friends and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner out, making a night of it. Everyone said their good-byes and went their separate ways. I returned to the fifth floor, slid my plastic key into the lock, and, you guessed it…… Nothing. Several tries later, I had an idea. “Please, may I get into my room?” I asked sweetly of whoever or whatever might be listening. Lo and behold…the door opened.
Each day—Friday through Sunday—those magic words were required to open the door. Without exception. The addition of “may I” ensured a speedy entrance. “Let me in!” left me standing in the hallway like a jerk. I know, because I tested this bizarre ritual throughout the weekend. Not once did that door open without a well-mannered request.
So, there you have it, a polite ghost. Or a manners-obsessed ghost? Perhaps someone’s mother, grandmother, or governess? Or just a busting ghost that laughed and laughed at the dummy in the hallway. Take your pick. I share this story because it’s a fun ghost story—not a scary one. Ghosts, spirits, whatever you call "them," are often NOT scary, in my opinion.
I’ve stayed at The Hawthorne many times since and haven’t encounter that spirit again. Maybe you will if you visit. But remember to brush up on your manners first, and “please” tell me if you do. I love a good ghost story!
What does any of this have to do with my books? Paranormal experiences spark my imagination and serve as inspiration. Visit my website to learn more.
Thanks for reading. Happy Halloween!
~ Kathryn
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I think if you're going to have a ghost, polite is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Liz! hahaha
DeleteWhat a fun story. Maybe the ghost was a descendent of Miss Manners. When I stayed at the Hawthorne my door kept opening. Think it was a hint to leave.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Nora! :o That's so funny. Perhaps it was just a busy place, and you couldn't see who was coming and going. *wink*
DeleteI love fun ghosts, too! And I loved your story! And Nora's comment as well! Salem is on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! You should totally visit and stay at the Hawthorne! I'd love to play tour guide. Maybe we can track down Miss Manners together. :D
DeleteWhat a great story, Kathy! Did you experience anything when you were in the room, or just at the door? Did you ever stay in the same room on subsequent visits? So many questions. ; )👻
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the exact room number, Donna, although I do know the area in that hallway. At the time, I was too focused on bookish things to record the number. I DID experience things in the room as well. Sensations of being watched. Often! It was super-distracting at night when I tried to work or sleep. And odd sounds. One lovely thing about the Hawthorne is the rooms are different in shape, size, and furnishings. Some are quite large, but most are cozy and even angular. It's cool and quirky. Each time I stay I have a different room, and no two experiences are alike. It's a fun surprise! LOL
DeleteI love this story! I don't know why ghosts are portrayed as nasty in general. I think a kind person would become a kind ghost and a mannerly person could very well expect manners from the living. LOL
ReplyDeleteExactly, Bonnie!! I imagine Miss Manners was quite perturbed by my huffing and grumbled curses. Not to mention my attire if she was from a different time period. It's fun to imagine, isn't it? And that's why I visit haunted hotels and write books! :D
DeleteI love this. How did you know that asking politely was the answer?
ReplyDeleteI have NO IDEA, Kathleen! Dumb luck? My first request was a last ditch effort to make it to the workshop...I whimpered the request. (Think begging) When the door wouldn't open that night, I began wondering. Each time I returned to that room I thought...this is not going to happen. But it did! :D
DeleteOh my gosh I loved this article today. You had me laughing out loud at the room key antics. I will have to remember to try asking politely before racing down to the lobby again. clarksuzannah at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHahaha...It's funny now as I look back, but that first time it was pretty crazy. I didn't think anything of it, aside from weird, until I returned at night to have it happen again. Thanks for reading!
DeleteA polite ghost! That's awesome. I love these kind of stories. I have a few of my own, and it's so weird how you figure it out. We must have a connection still to people who've passed on. Enjoyed your story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kara! I agree with you, there is some sort of connection, whether it's a "knowing" or help from guides. Both, likely. I have a bit more experience now, and I've come to trust my intuition. If I sense something while investigating, you can be certain that's the direction I'll be heading with tech to try to validate it.
DeleteI have lived with several spirits and I've learned that being respectful of them things are peaceful. I would love to visit a haunted hotel, that would be so cool!
ReplyDeleteMsredk at all aol dot com
Absolutely! Respect is key with both the living and the dead. Thanks for reading and chiming in. And keep me posted if you visit that haunted hotel. :D
DeleteLove this story! Ghosts need to be respected too.
ReplyDeletePurpleunicorn019 (at) gmail (dot) com
DeleteYou know it, Tina! I think many forget ghosts were likely once-living people. Happy, sad, nice, grouchy, or even mean people. Then again, what IS a ghost? If you know please tell me! Hope of discovery keeps me energized to listen, talk, and investigate the paranormal.
DeleteWow!! Very cool and very creepy! Glad it was you and you figured out how to get in the room!
ReplyDeleteHahaha...It was a very cool experience, Kari! Frustrating when it was happening but fun to think back on. The Hawthorne NEVER disappoints!
DeleteSounds great! deborahdumm@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Deborah! :D
DeleteI love your ghost story! I've visited Salem as a tourist but only stayed for the day. I'd love to visit again and play through the whole area. New England is amazing....
ReplyDeleteAFNovice at yahoo dot com
It's beautiful here today in New England, Karin! All the colorful leaves! Check out my previous post here on Gems for some tips on visiting Salem. Right now, it's full-on madness there. One more week, and it's an entirely different place. Thanks for reading. Happy Halloween!
DeleteYou're my WINNER, Karin in CA! Please message me at kathrynhills.author@gmail.com
DeleteFascinating story! I imagine Halloween in your area is crazy and yields a lot of ideas for books.
ReplyDeleteSaturdays in places like Salem are mobbed in October, Joan! I tend to stay away from them. But the history and historic locations of New England are big draws for me. Spark for the imagination!
DeleteI just started reading the first of the 2 books I got from you at FILWNE?
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy for my friend, I like to call "the paranormal queen"! I know she would enjoy it as much as I am. :)
Hello, "Buttons" and thank you for chiming in! Also, thank you for visiting and buying a book at FILWNE! What a great conference! Since your buddy didn't win this time, please find me as Kathryn Hills Author on Facebook for upcoming events and more giveaways! :D
DeleteI would.love to walk through an old cemetery in Salem with you...oh the tales we would tell and the spirits we would raise...I can see us picking a stone and making up a story of that person's life. .
ReplyDeleteOoooo.....that sounds exciting! Count me in. Thanks for reading!
DeleteI love your stories, they keep me intrigued and I feel like I'm there. ��, One day I hope to have a good encounter.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mimi! Great to hear from you! And thank you for your kind words. It's funny...when you least expect to find something/someone you do. Happy haunting!
DeleteOf all the years I lived in mass., I never visited Salem. I must now! Happy Halloween !!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Be sure to chime in on Facebook (Kathryn Hills Author) and tell me all about your adventures. I'd love to hear YOUR stories! Thanks for reading. :D
DeleteWe have a WINNER! Karin in CA wins a signed copy of Haunting Highland House! :D
ReplyDelete