How Living in a Haunted House Inspired Me to Write My New Novel (Exclusive Essay)

In a tale that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, Ashley Woo reflects on her unsettling experiences in a rose-hued room of her historic Vermont farmhouse. The home, dating back to 1830, captivated her family when they made the leap from suburban Massachusetts just as Woo was adjusting to life with a newborn.

The charming antique cape meant new beginnings, with its sprawling grounds, ornate wood barns, and picturesque landscape. The initial month of their new life seemed perfect; Woo’s husband was on paternity leave, allowing the family to nest and settle into their surroundings. This idyllic setting could easily pass for a tourist postcard, complete with a cheerful general store and a vibrant community that hosts seasonal farmer’s markets.

However, the rosy façade of their new life began to crack as the routine settled in. With her husband back at work and her toddler daughter in daycare, Woo found herself increasingly isolated with her infant son. Days stretched on and darkness fell early in winter, exacerbating her feelings of loneliness. Strapped into her baby carrier, she would stroll through the quiet, barren streets, inevitably passing a cemetery that lay directly across from their property—a revelation that struck her with a sense of disquiet.

Initially, Woo’s imagination ran wild with dark scenarios concerning their quaint surroundings and the seemingly benign elderly couple who lived nearby. Her vivid thoughts conjured images reminiscent of horror films, raising questions about the nature of their new neighbours. As she traversed an ancient covered bridge, the gothic aura only deepened, prompting her to wonder about the past lives that may have lingered in such places.

The farmhouse’s history is rich and layered, with its classification as a stop on the Underground Railroad adding a deep and poignant narrative. Living in a house with such a past naturally invites the thoughts of echoes from lives long gone, and Woo’s interest in gothic tales heightened her perception of supernatural possibilities.

Within the home, one room of particular interest beckoned her—its walls painted in a warm mauve, possessing an inviting energy that drew her in from the moment she first laid eyes on it. This rose-coloured sanctuary soon transformed into a guest room, but Woo’s visits would not remain tranquil for long.

One night, plagued by insomnia, she made her way to the room, hoping to find solace. Instead, she was jolted awake by an unnerving sensation—an invisible presence clutching her tightly. What she initially dismissed as a fluke occurred repeatedly: each time she attempted to sleep in the room, she experienced the same ghostly embrace, eliciting both fear and intrigue.

Despite the haunting sensations forcing her to steer clear of the rose room for a while, Woo could not resist its allure. Curiosity eventually won out, leading her to try one final time to sleep there. During this encounter, a vivid dream of her late grandmother provided a brief escape, only for the chilling embrace to return moments later.

While Woo remains uncertain about the nature of the presence in the room—whether a benign spirit or a figment of her imagination—the experience sparked a transformative journey. The echoes of the rose room helped her realise a long-held aspiration to write, which had simmered just under the surface since childhood.

With a newfound resolve, Woo set up a desk in the same space that had unnerved her for so long, and she began crafting her debut novel, “Wildwood.” The narrative follows the journey of a woman who moves to a remote estate, discovering the mysteries of a nearby family and dealing with haunting forces that blur the lines between dreams and reality.

Thus, through the unsettling experiences in her rose-tinted room, Woo found not just a source of creative inspiration, but also a deeper understanding of her own narrative. “Wildwood” is slated for release on September 8, encapsulating the peculiar magic that can arise from confronting one’s fears, and perhaps reminding us that sometimes, echoes of the past can lead us to uncover new paths in life.