How do you introduce something big in a book?

[KillJoy]

Well, I'm having this big paranormal revelation in my book, and I don't know how to introduce it. It's a girl telling her brother (who is very understanding and also her best friend) that she can hear ghosts. How should she bring it up? Like, you can't just say "Haha, oh yeah! I forgot to tell you, I hear dead people!" It has to be serious but not cheesy. Any suggestions on how to build up to it or set it up?
The brother is involved with the paranormal as well, but his sister doesn't know that. They both have powers, but no one but themselves know it. The girl doesn't talk to ghosts; she only hears them. She calls them "The Voices" because she thinks she's delusional, and she finds out later that they're ghosts. And even then she doesn't answer them because she feels weird about doing so. The brother is her mutual best/only friend. They both have a dark sense of humor but are mature.

 

[Jezebel]

it depends on your character's personality.
if she's really dreading it, the conversation is going to be like pulling teeth.
if she's the type of person who could be sarcastic, she may make a joke or two about it.
or maybe she's like really confident? she'll be straightforward.
you could also make the btorher not believe her at first, and have the character "flip out" (again, depending on the personality, the flip out could be many different things)

 

[mimi]

Well to be honest I wish I knew more about your plot like if she's trying to help a certain ghost or if she's trying to do something special with her powers. Plus even if her brother is understanding he can still be narrow minded about the paranormal. You'll probably have to have a ghost or her tell him something that only she could know by talking to the dead. Also has she had these powers all her life or did they suddenly appear for a bizarre reason?
If the plot goes along the lines of having her help a ghost you should probably reveal by having him discovering her talking to the ghost and cornering her until she tells him about her power. If you don't like that you could have him help her in some way with the ghost like begging for his help and blurting out the truth because he can tell she's lying about this "friend" she's trying to help.

If you don't like what I've answered because it doesn't go with your story line I suggest adding just a tiny bit more detail. I'll even check back and if I've found you've added more detail I'll give you another answer.

 

[sheltown]

I think the best way would be for the brother to notice something about the girl, like she talks to herself a lot (i.e., talking to the ghosts) or she's afraid a lot. And the girl is reluctant to tell him but he finally gets her to admit it.

 

[privatewoman]

Well. You just did an introduction wether you realize it or not.

 

[Anna]

I'm sort of doing something similar for my story, but not w/ ghosts. Maybe he catches her talking to one and he wonders what she's doing? or he knew the person who died and she didn't so when she says his name he gets curious? sorry this is all i have