By Aditi Dahagam, Co-T/E Life Editor
The apparition of a woman wearing an old-fashioned blue dress looks out the window at Amstel House Museum in New Castle, Del.
This is one of the haunted places library aide Laurie Hull has been investigating for her sixth nonfiction ghost book “Delaweird,” which she is co-writing with Matt Lake, author of “Weird Pennsylvania.” Set to release this summer, the book will be available online and at in-person events, such as paranormal conferences, that Hull attends. Hull’s previous books can also be found at these events, on Amazon and at local libraries.
Growing up, Hull’s experiences with supernatural events in her home, including unplugged lights turning on and doors opening and closing on their own, led her to believe that her house was haunted. This made her more interested in reading ghost stories, such as those by Edgar Allan Poe, to help her understand what was happening in her own home.
“At first, I was scared (of the ghosts). When I got to be 15 or 16, I realized I was going to set the rules for my own house. I just told (the ghosts), ‘You’re not going to scare me anymore,’” Hull said. “You could almost feel a shift in the energy in the room.”
This change in perspective inspired Hull to investigate and write stories about supernatural events. Just like her previous stories such as “Media Gothic” and “Brandywine Valley Ghosts,” Hull started the research for “Delaweird” by talking to local people and reading newspaper articles about unexplainable occurrences in Delaware.
“When you’re doing research, you feel like you’re on the trail of something and the truth is there and you’re going to find it,” Hull said.
Hull plans to combine the preliminary research with stories about a cursed bridge, the Dickinson Plantation and more haunted places in Delaware. She likes to write stories about haunted places in this region because she finds that the ability to visit these locations provides an advantage in the writing process.
“I like to focus on local areas because I like to write about places where I’ve been or I could go to easily. As far as me being able to sell the book, I have more of a vested interest in something that’s more local,” Hull said.
Hull’s friend Beth Ingram who read her book “Supernatural Pennsylvania” believes Hull investigates and researches local places thoroughly. Ingram is excited to read the stories in “Delaweird” because of the in-depth supernatural history Hull’s books provide.
“It’s crazy to hear all that Laurie has been through. She’s a great storyteller and makes you feel like you’re there sometimes,” Ingram said.
Hull plans to write more ghost books in the future, specifically one about Delaware County since she lives there. For now, Hull wants to continue sharing the history of paranormal activities of the interesting places in the area.
“I want (readers) to take away a bigger interest in the places around them and the things around them that are possibly going on that they might not be aware of,” Hull said. “I want them to be aware that there’s more than what meets the eye.”
Aditi Dahagam can be reached at [email protected].
