Right now I’m writing a book in my Cascadia Wolves universe so I’m in a paranormal state of mind afer having written some futuristics and a contemp or two. I love paranormals, they’re such great fun to read and write.
I’ve always been fascinated by the unexplained and the paranormal. I remember, back in the stone ages when I was growing up, there was a show called In Search Of hosted by Leonard Nimoy. Man oh man did I love that show!
It’s the question I think. The idea that there are things out there in the world that we can’t explain. I’m also totally enamored of shows about deep sea trenches because of all the cool stuff down there seven miles deep that we simply just guess about because there aren’t enough answers yet. Mysteries are delicious! The dark is just a big question, isn’t it?
So it’s no surprise to me that I love writing paranormal books. Part of it is the way a lot of paranormal mythology connects with deep seated cultural and societal ideas. We’re afraid of what is different even as it compels us. We want to know, even though we have to peek through our fingers, heart beating fast, stomach churning with fear and yet, excitement about the unknown.
Vampires are the uber-villain—even as they’ve become the uber-sexy alpha hero. The teeth sliding over the skin is an ultimately intimate and dangerous act, especially in today’s climate. To give someone the very thing that keeps you alive is romantic as well as something that could also rob you of your existence. A vampire can be very strong and yet filled with anxiety over what he or she is. It’s fodder for the best kind of wounded hero, for the male who will move heaven and earth to protect his mate and of the woman (or man) who’ll give up their life for that love. How much more of an epic tale of love can you get?
The challenge is in how to get the human and the vampire together. Or how to bring two vampires or supernatural creatures together and make it work. It’s a great twist on the general romance conflict trope.
And werewolves, oh sigh. Werewolves are wonderful to write because they’re about embracing touchstone ideas - the strong male, the mate bond, feral sexuality, etc. There are people who don’t like the one true mate storyline (preferences folks, everyone’s got em!) but I love it. I love the idea of *knowing* someone is meant for you. I also love the whole wildness, and uber-protectiveness of the alpha werewolf male (and female). I love that pushy, big guy arrogance and control freak attitude almost as much as I love writing the woman who will knock him down a few pegs.
I love the foundational love of creation and nature the Fae represent. I can delve into Celtic or Slavic mythology and bring out the same basic stories about the shining folk. The Fae are about earth, they’re about nature and what I find the most fun is dealing with balancing responsibility of being so powerful with protection. Protection of love and family and protection of humans.
And all these ideas give you great villains. Because in a real sense, the paranormal isn’t so supernatural at all. It’s part of our subconsciousness as human beings. So we’re scared because who hasn’t had some sort of experience they couldn’t explain, be it lights in the sky, something mysterious happening in a graveyard or at home, that sort of thing? Being scared by a story is nearly as delicious as being titillated by one so the combination of the two is like a lemon cupcake – perfection.
What do you all like? Tell me and I’ll enter you in a contest to win a bunch o goodies I pick up at RT! I’ll choose a winner upon my return April 21. Most likely I’ll pick more than one because there’s loads of books and swag. But at the very least one!
April 7th, 2008 at 6:32 am
I personally Love wolf shifters. they are strong, loyal, and usually have a torn or bad boy heart. I like the little naughty in there. and the fact they are super loyal helps! a strong alpha always. So subconcously I like a guy that is loyal and strong, but needs me too.. after all if he didnt need me what would be the point.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:59 am
oh I totally agree with Tina.. Wolves are hot and sexy.. i hope that there will be more.. much more of them..
April 7th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I am a big fan of werewolves and other shapeshifters.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I think that werewolves are awesome, they are! their sexuality is delicious. Also, exotic weres like weretigers!
The whole Alpha male is super hot, although I think in real life, that would drive me insane! Especially if said guy does not know how to compromise, grrrr!
But I digress.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
My favorite paranormal character is shape shifters, be they wolf or cat.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Wolves are indeed sexy, but I love paranormals with ghosts and psychics.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I can honestly say I love them all! But I have a special fondness for vampires and witches.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I am open to anything but vampires are my favorite.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I love paranormal books; I enjoy reading about unusual and unique creatures whose abilities are varied and definitely special. I don’t know if I have a favorite as I enjoy reading about vampires, shape shifters, witches, wizards, immortals, etc. If I had to pick one I think it would be dragon shape shifters…they, to me, would be the ultimate as dragons are such immense and beautiful creatures of incredible power.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Shape shifter stories–werewolves, for sure, but also the big cats. Such majesty! such beauty! and oh my, how deadly and fierce
But really, a touch of magic is always wonderful in the right hands. Fae, witches, vampires. Write them well, and I’ll be right there.
Have a great time at RT, Lauren!
April 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I have been on a vampire kick lately and that is what I have been reading about, they also shapeshift. Really I enjoy all kinds of paranormal and I do tend to switch around alot.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I love cat shifters which is strange since I am not a cat person. Just something about the aura of danger about those big cats Would love to have my own tiger to pet lol.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
My favorite genre to read is Paranormal. My favs would have to be the vamps! I’ll read anything in this genre.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I like to read about vampires and the fey. Both species seem to be some contemptuous of and yet dependent upon ordinary human beings. Plus, when it comes to the fey, it seems like there is some much room for creativity, in how they are depicted, what the faerie realm is like, and so forth.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Were shifters are the best, especially dragons. They can turn into a gorgeous male or a beautiful creature.
Hugs, Danette
April 8th, 2008 at 5:15 am
I like everything paranormal but I looooooooove shifters! Dragons first and wolves a close second! Dragons because of the powerful beings they are and let’s face it: breathing fire is HOT! Wolves because of the whole alpha male-attitude and their raw sexuality.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Whoops - can’t believe I missed out on the party… yesterday, but I love paranormal books too. Growing up, it was mostly witches and vampires (good or bad) -so they’ll always have a special place. Werewolves were pretty much 100% bad, so it’s interesting this new trend. I love the shifters, but werewolves are the original. There is something as you said about the feral sexuality that is so appealing. The inherent danger and man-beast, but also the knowledge that the hero would *never* harm his mate. For vampires, the fact that they live for so long just opens worlds of possibilities. The tortured hero who has lived too long and too hard, become jaded, and is looking for something new. I think a lot of it is the appeal of it being something “we can’t have.” And you know, in a way, thank goodness. If I were dating a guy and he turned into a 170 lb wolf (huh - that seems “small”) -I wouldn’t be all “I luurve you.” I’d be screaming my head off convinced I Was about to die. I do love reading about the paranormal world, however. All of it.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi, I came here through Danette’s blog.
I enjoy reading about all aspects of the paranormal. As a kid, I adored myths, fairy, and folktales. Then I discovered fantasy, then subgenres like urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I enjoy them because they’re a wonderful reflection of our own world - both more dangerous (vampires, werewolves, other creatures) and less (the heroine is going to survive).
What appeals to me most depends on the author. His or her words, more than the species of the characters, make me find someone attractive.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I love those werewolves alphas and I adore Vampires
because it appeals to me on so many levels to let my inner most desires come forth and let what is seemingly not liked in society because it is not normal…well now it is normal to read about werewolves and vampires as HOT sexy romantic leads… 
April 9th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
not much fan of paranormal, but i like vampires. love angel
April 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
The paranormals that i read usually have the wolf shifer in them. Wolves seem to be mysterious and silent creatures so they lend themselves to good stories. and I think I read where they mate for life.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I love paranormal storylines, especially shapeshifters. The characteristics of the animals that can translate to human traits is totally fascinating. My favorites remain the wolves and big cats, but I just finished reading a story about dog shifters that totally worked for me too.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I love all things paranormal! From Vampires, Shape-Shifters, Fae, Dragons, Fallen Angels, Demons, Zombies, Succubi, Witches, Wizards, Gargoyles and mixes of any of the above.
I’m like a human paranormal sponge when it comes to reading about all of it.
I hope you’re having a wonderful time at RT Lauren!
April 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
It’s hard to pick between werewolves and vampires. But it’s vampires by a hair. And it all started w/ vampires when I saw Dracula on Broadway. The show was so amazing and Dracula was so so sexy so tortured he became the hero and I had been stuck on vampires ever since. That was a long time ago.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
I love vamps, shifters, ghosts, psychics, witches, and dragons. I love the worlds the author can create in paranormals.