Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Monsters Need Love, Too


























Hello, I am Sapphire Phelan. I write erotic and sweet paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction romance. I also had a couple erotic horror stories published plus a couple of poems in a poetry anthology.
Besides romance, I write and have published horror, science fiction, fantasy, poetry and nonfiction as Pamela K. Kinney. I know you’re all asking how can someone who writes scary stories write romance too? It was easy.


After all, even in horror, fantasy, and science fiction people fall in love too. There were Anne Rice’s vampires. There is Barnabas Collins and Quentin Collins in the TV soap opera from the late 60s to early 70s, Dark Shadows. If you never seen this series and ever get the chance to do so, do it. It was so-so, more gothic romance than paranormal (though there was some), when six months after it began, a thief, Willie, looking for the Collins family jewels rumored to be hidden in the crypt, discovered Barnabas chained up in a coffin in a secret room. When I watched Buffy and Angel, I think back to Barnabas, the first romantic vampire. And Quentin, the cursed werewolf that even my own mother thought was the most handsome man she ever saw.
When I write paranormal romance, my monsters can be the romantic hero or heroine. Just like in Dark Shadows. All right, my heroes and heroines can be pretty dark sometimes. Just like in Dark Shadows. After all, they are monsters.
There’s something about the unknown, the terrifying, and even the bizarre, that attracts us to it. Drws us like a moth to a flame. There's something sexy about love with monsters, the ultimate in tortured souls. How does one know if the heroine making love with the handsome hero who's a werewolf too, is safe. He might change at the full moon during the throes of passion ands tear her to pieces. But we believe that the monster loves her and that he will fight to keep her safe, even from himself. But that added spice of possible death makes the love story all the more enjoyable. It's the le petit mort of thrills.
My erotic horror novella, Unwitting Sacrifice, that just came out in November from
Under the Moon is a Lovecraftian tale, but with sex, or as one interested reader told me, Cthulhurotica. If you ever read the Cthulhu mythos from author H. P. Lovecraft, then you know what the lover in my story is.


In the novella, a young woman moves to Virginia, trying to escape her nightmares. Instead, she finds more than nightmares. There’s a good looking man, Jacob, who attracts her and yet, sometimes scares her. And hr shows her passion, but this being a horror story and not paranormal romance, theres terror hidden in that passion, too. If you like to read some Lovecraft, here is a link to a Web site with the stories he wrote: http://www.dagonbytes.com/thelibrary/lovecraft/ .
In the erotic urban fantasy, Being Familiar With a Witch, that I have coming out January 26th from
Phaze Books , I wrote about demons and witches. Can a lovely young woman who doesn't know she has the potential to become a withc fall for a demon and let him make love to her, freeing her withcy powers? That's the story I wrote to answer that question. Once again, my hero isn't human. But my heroine finds the lover hidden beneath the Familiar's demonic form.


I continue to write in these genres, seeking answers in how dark my heroes and heroines can be and yetr not topple over the edge. As long as the readers continue to read, I will continue to ask that question and answer it by writing it down.
After all, monsters need love, too.



Sapphire Phelan











Go beyond the usual, instead take the unusual that stretches the boundaries and find romance with Sapphire Phelan's aliens, werewolves, vampires, fairies, and other supernatural/otherworldly heroes and heroines.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

VOICE...

…no, not the spooky voice that calls my name, waking me out of a deep sleep in the middle of the night. Like any sensible girl, I ignore that voice!

Hi, I’m Shereen Vedam, author of fantasy and regency romance short stories.

I’m here to talk about voice, as in the voice of authors you love to read; their tone, humor, interjections in the narrative that makes you laugh out loud and say to friends and family, you have got to read this book.

Everyone has different reasons why they love a particular author’s voice. Recently, I discovered what about an author’s voice that makes me pick a book off the shelves.

This past week, I was reading an anthology – one that included one of my short stories (Dragon Dreams). I was curious about the other short stories the editor had picked for this anthology. Some were written by famous fantasy authors, others fresh on the fantasy scene, and some never before published.

For me, reading a book of short stories is like going grocery shopping. As I walk down the aisles in search of items I need, I check and double check my list. Occasionally, I pick up things I never planned to buy. Hmm…this looks interesting. I hesitate, then impulsively toss it into the cart, ruthlessly flattening my budget.

In this same manner, I delved into this anthology by first searching out an author I knew I would like (I have a collection of his novels – Jim C. Hines). Then, tentatively, I tried an unknown author.

Over the next few days, each morning on the bus ride to work, I read another short story and then another. One story seemed a bit odd, the next interesting. One left me completely confused by the style of prose until the end and then I thought, Oh, how cool. (Scout by Mary Turzillo)

Then I came across one that had me turning page after page, chuckling to myself. At the end of that short story, the bio said this author, over his lifetime, “collected just about every award the field has to offer.” His name was Fritz Leiber.

He was the inspiration for this blog – that indefinable voice of an author.

Voice is a very subjective experience. In this same anthology, Cat Tales edited by George H. Scithers, the stories that intrigued and entertained me would very likely be vastly different from the ones that call to you.

That said, I was still curious…what is it about an author’s voice that makes it appealing, enticing, memorable and collectible?

I took a closer look at Leiber’s voice in this short story and what about it I found so pleasurable.

  1. His worldview was compatible with mine – cats and their needs are important.
  2. His humor was unique – one example is the point of view of the main character, which was the cat, leading to the humans in the story being named from the cat’s point of view (Kitty-Come-Here is the wife, loved that, and Old Horsemeat is the husband - Leiber took his time explaining this title but it came eventually and was well worth waiting for).
  3. His story telling ability – flawless (not by any particular grammar rules but in lack of obvious mistakes), great story arc, consistently entertaining narrative voice and a satisfying ending.
  4. Appealing characters – characters that appeal to me are often realistic and flawed, but loveable, nevertheless, because they have the best of intentions.
  5. Use of concrete details – this can bring a story alive so it feels as if it’s being reenacted in my own kitchen.
  6. Irony and foreshadowing – I didn’t notice this until the second read, and it was priceless.
  7. He understood the importance of irrelevance – the whole mystery in the story is completely irrelevant but in our lives, the things that often upset us most are usually just that, something totally irrelevant. Therefore, making what’s irrelevant relevant not only builds in humor but also generates sympathy in the reader.

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Here’s an excerpt from Kreativity For Kats by Fritz Leiber appearing in Cat Tales

There was a mystery about the spilled water. It had apparently disappeared entirely, though the day seemed hardly dry enough for total evaporation. Then she saw it standing in a puddle by the wall fully ten feet away from the bowl. She made a quick deduction and frowned a bit worriedly.

“I never realized the kitchen floor sloped that much,” she told Old Horsemeat after dinner. “Maybe some beams need to be jacked up in the basement. I’d hate to think of collapsing into it while I cooked dinner.”

“I’m sure this house finished all its settling thirty years ago,” her husband assured her hurriedly. “That slope’s always been there.”

“Well, if you say so,” Kitty-Come-Here allowed doubtfully.

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To me, voice is a combination of things. It’s how an author sees the world, finds entertaining in it and then expresses that viewpoint by the choice and order of words, phrases and expressions he or she uses.

I believe building an effective and appealing Voice requires both skill and confidence.

In essence, Voice is the story.

In preparation for this blog, I posted a question on voice on a few Amazon forums asking readers and authors what they found appealing enough about an author’s voice to make them return to that author again and again. The following were on their Christmas reading wish list:

  • sharp beginnings
  • action scenes
  • clean prose
  • rhythm and flow
  • don't talk down to the reader
  • interesting ever-evolving story
  • no gratuitous swearing or sex
  • returning (familiar) characters
  • likeable characters

A good author’s voice can entice a reader to stalk them on the internet, in book stores, and at conferences and conventions. Crafting that appealing voice is a writer’s Holy Grail.

So, who are the voices on your bookshelf? What is it about an author's voice that keeps you huddled beneath the blanket on a cold wintry night, reading? Why do you put some books down half way through, but forget to get off the bus at work because you were lost in a story?


Shereen Vedam
www.shereenvedam.com

Monday, December 22, 2008

Examining Paranormal Romance

Being a person who loves to over-analyze any given situation, I thought it would be fun to pick apart the paranormal romance genre as a whole. So excuse me while I give into the left side of my brain (which, by the way, battles tirelessly with the right side of my brain on a daily basis).

To begin with, the paranormal romance genre is so broad it could be split up into an infinite number of new genres. Why do I think this? Because the word “paranormal” has such a broad meaning.

According to
http://www.dictionary.com/, paranormal means:

–adjective

of or pertaining to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psychokinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena.

That’s a pretty general definition. To get a better idea, all I have to do is look at the list of authors who contribute to this blog. Each brings their own imagination to the paranormal romance genre to create stories about:

-Time travel
-Ghosts
-Werewolves
-Vampires
-Shape shifters
-Mythology
-Psychic abilities
-Angels
-Demons
-Futuristic space travel
-Witches, Sorcerers, and Warlocks
-I’m sure I’m missing several so go ahead and shout it out if you think of more. The left side of my brain welcomes it.

Of these, there are immeasurable possibilities to create even more types of supernatural phenomena. Why? Because paranormal fiction has no guidelines, no boundaries, and absolutely no limit to the worlds an author can create.

Charlaine Harris, one of my favorite authors, gives a perfect example with her Southern Vampire Series. She’s built a vivid parallel universe where vampires exist alongside humans. To add to that, she went on to bring in shapeshifters, werewolves, fairies, and witches. Her books are rich with mystery and the unknown, and it keeps me turning the pages and wanting more.

I suppose these are the reasons I love to both read and write paranormal romance and fantasy. There’s no end to what my imagination can come up with… which gives the left side of my brain a reason to relax and allow the right side of my brain to run away with the ghosts, angels, demons, or whatever else I want to write about that day.

So what is your favorite genre inside the paranormal romance genre?

Viola

http://www.violaestrella.com/
www.myspace.com/violaestrella

BEWITCHING YOU – Coming soon from the Wild Rose Press
FINDING FATE - Free short story available from the Wild Rose Press
ANGEL VINDICATED – Coming soon from Cerridwen Press


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Reviewing the Ghost



A new review for my ghostly romance, Legal Tender! From The Long and the Short of It:

" "Love and life are too precious to waste" according to Granny’s spirit that keeps Lindy company and offers an abundance of advice – wanted and unwanted.

...Secondary characters like Jenna, the hateful cousin; Garrett, the crotchety old farm manager; Elvira Hill and her old bachelor son all add a wealth of emotions to the story, especially the subtle humor that enriches the drama of life that unfolds.

The “Who Done It” part of Legal Tender intrigues and nudges the reader to turn the pages almost as much as the need to know who Lindy will finally realize is the love of her life.

“Lindy-Loo” is a love and Granny is great. They make Legal Tender good reading that lifts the spirit."

I don't know about you, but a great review always lifts my spirits! Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

Friday, December 19, 2008

On writing paranormal




I’m Barbara Edwards and my first paranormal romance, Ancient Awakening is being released by The Wild Rose Press in 2009. After writing two historical romances and a romantic suspense, I’ve found my niche.
Writing paranormal shows the darker side of my soul. I love researching the wicked and evil, then twisting truth with fiction into a story.
I’ve been checking old and new scary stories to keep fresh. I watched the Haunting of Hill House, the Shining, and read Steven King’s Duma’s Key. All were frightening, but didn’t have enough romance for my taste. I like my characters to face fear, to find the facts and solve the mystery while finding out their strengths and weaknesses. The hardest part is keeping my hero and heroine alive to find love.
In Ancient Awakening, Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen investigates a death only she believes is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her.
Her neighbor Stephan Zoriak is a prime suspect. Steve worked for a major pharmaceutical company where he discovered a weapon so dangerous he destroys the research. He is exposed to the dangerous organism. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help her find the truth.
In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find the real killer and a love that defies death.


Check out my website: http://www.barbaraedwards.net/ for excerpts and buy links
Go to my blog, Barb’Ed Comments, http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp for some interesting interviews with other authors and a few personal views on writing. Feel free to leave a comment for me or any other authors featured here.

hello


Hello everyone, merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful time with loved ones and friends.
I suppose it's my time to post. :) Well, I write mostly historical romance and some paranormal (like a novella-Double Vision-where the couple falls in love on the astral plane). I have a Regency-set novel out called The 12th Kiss, with Wings ePress, but today I'd like to briefly talk about my time-travel romance, Romeo vs. Juliet out with The Wild Rose Press. The hero of my novel works for Queen Elizabeth I. He stumbles upon a time-portal and searches the centuries for his true love. He finds her in the 21st century. They marry and enjoy life in Elizabethan England for a while. Then trouble ensues. She discovers that he's going through time changing history and destroying lives, so she chases him through the eras with a promise to stop him. They visit various times from the 1950s to the twenty-second century, and further in both directions. It's an adventurous, passionate love story. Okay, thanks for reading! And take care, warmly, Laura Hogg
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89_126&products_id=460&zenid=b9f301a47cb64144cfda37e6256999a3
And my blog: http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 18, 2008

A paranormal Christmas to all

It took a while but I think my holiday mood has arrived. Actually, I was supposed to get something on here much earlier today but I spent the afternoon rocking my newborn grandson and everything else went out of my head. He's the best Christmas gift I've gotten and hopefully he will be home tomorrow, although I will probably really never get anything done. I already find I am creating new stories for him. When my first grandson, Xavier, was born I wrote my first ever children's story for him, about a little boy and his grandma who fight a dragon hiding in his room. I've been forming another story for my two year old granddaughter about a girl pirate who terrorizes the seven seas, much as my little Anna loves to terrorize us with her antics! And now Jasper, my newest love, needs a story of his own as well. So I'm filling my head with all sorts of ideas. It's incredibly amazing how much love can motivate creativity. In this season that is so much about love and hope and good tidings, it's extra special to find those creative juices flowing and adding to life in all its glory. So here's to the wierd, the funny, the paranormal and the just plain strange: May all your Christmases be bright and your new year way, way, out there.
Debbie Doggett