Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Appeal of All Things Paranormal


I've enjoyed stories with a paranormal theme for as long as I can remember. It’s no wonder it’s my favorite genre. From vampires and werewolves to witches and faeries to angels and demons, I know when a story has an otherworldly being in it that anything can and probably will happen. These stories help readers stretch their imagination and welcome the unknown, at least for the length of the novel or movie.



When I was young one of my favorite movies was Escape to Witch Mountain. Not the 2009 remake. I liked the original film that came out in 1975. It’s about two mysterious orphan children with extraordinary powers. I used to fantasize about having their ability to move things with their mind or unlock a door with the touch of my hand.





There’s so much lore on the supernatural that it’s a paranormal writer’s haven. I like to research what is believed about different myths and then bend and twist what I've learned into intriguing stories I hope readers will enjoy. My Embrace series does just that. In the second book, Hold Tight, Madison discovers there are greater threats in her world than people who possess the Powers. I had a lot of fun developing the new characters. We meet Dellis Zion Kashmeir—the character readers helped me name last year—plus a couple of other creatures. This time Madison risks losing more than just her friends and she'll have to figure out who she can trust and who she can't.


It’s not just witchcraft and the Fae that interest me. I enjoy stories that include vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, ghosts, humans with special abilities, seers, mutants, and more. I will admit I’m not a big fan of zombies. I suppose everyone has their limits and decaying bodies is mine.

How about you? Do you read paranormal or fantasy? What book or movie got you interested in the genre? Do you have a limit in what you enjoy?

P.S. I'm over at The Bookish Babe chatting about romance and great kisses. 
Plus you can enter for a chance to win a copy of Embrace! 

16 comments:

  1. I used to be one of those people who would hear "You should read this book, its about vampires," and I'd immediately roll my eyes. Vampires, really? Then a handful of years ago someone bought me the Twilight series, and before you know it I'm rummaging through the Young Adult section for anything fantastical. Then I started writing it. There's so much real life all around us, that it's nice to take a break and spend some time in my imagination.

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    1. Taking a break from real life is another reason I love fantasy. It's nice to get away from the everyday.

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  2. I think it's great to find stories that have a grounding in reality, but a twist of the magical. I believe it is also why people are drawn to religion--there are so many inexplicable phenomena around us that it is acceptable to attribute these experiences to something greater than what we can see and feel.

    I, too, loved Escape to Witch Mountain, and many fantasy stories throughout my reading years. What is lovely about Embrace is the firm setting in our world, and the dangers which lie outside normal perception. I am sure this will bear out in the sequel and look forward to its release.

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    1. Thanks, Veronica. :) I do like stories that are grounded in the real world. I'm glad you liked that about Embrace. And this is true in Hold Tight as well.

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  3. I love the supernatural. There's a lot of untapped potential out there in the mythology and folklore of cultures around the world. I wish more people would play around with the lesser known stuff. Then again, I should probably just shut up and do it myself. :)

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    1. You should! I've been hoping a story about some lesser known myth would come to me. One day, I'm sure it will.

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  4. I am addicted to paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Anything with a supernatural edge from witches to vampires to shifters to werewolves to fae to gods/goddesses, I love it all. I can't imagine wanting to write anything else! Do you have a must read, favorite of all time!

    Also, tagged you for a Liebster Award at http://www.tinamoss.com/2013/04/sharing-is-caring-liebster-award.html Hope you'll join in the fun!

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    1. Hi Tina. I have several favorites. HP, of course. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, The Grave series by Jeaniene Frost, and Lament by Maggie Stiefvater are among my favorites. Oh, and there was a series Magic Lessons (I forget the author's name) but I enjoyed that one too. Classics would be Dracula and Anne Rice novels. There's more, but that's what comes to mind right now.

      Thanks for tagging me. :)

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  5. The limitlessness of the paranormal is quite fun. How exciting that we'll get to meet some new characters - and new threats - in Hold Tight!

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    1. I'm excited to have readers to meet them. :) Soon, very soon!

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  6. I suppose I kind of write it, though I don't really mean to. Really, I write fantasy, and, when I'm using legendary material, I try to go back as far as I can with those legends and use the "source" material. However, Shadow Spinner has more stuff in it that would be considered paranormal, unlike House on the Corner.

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    1. Fantasy often has a paranormal element in it. I enjoy both.

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  7. I work with people who think I'm weird because of my love for all things paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi. I think they're weird because they can't suspend disbelief...and that's a wonderful thing.

    Karen

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  8. Hi, thanks for checking out my blog today. I came by to return the favor. I prefer the original Escape the Witch Mountain as well. I'm a big fantasy reader-not always paranormal though (that one comes in waves).

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