Once upon a time, I came across a bit of wisdom that went along the lines of: "Truth is stranger than fiction...because fiction needs to make sense."
Boy, were they were right. Ever come across an inconsistency or an
inaccuracy or flat out WTF? moment in
a novel? It just knocks you right out of
the story.
Or what about those last minute plot rescuers that sound like "...and then an uncle whom everyone thought was dead shows up out of nowhere and saves the heroine with his riches." A little too convenient, in my opinion. It leaves me shaking my head and dreading the next crazy plot twist.
As a writer, I know in my heart that truth is stranger than fiction because otherwise, the fiction would be awful. I know in my heart that it's a good rule, one that never should be broken.
I also know I'm the rebel kid who broke rules for no
other reason than to see them broken.
My mom called me a "non-conformist". I just agreed with her because I didn't know
what the word meant. In hindsight my mom was right nearly 100% of the time so
I'm glad I just went with my gut instinct and believed her. Eventually non-conformist became my motto.
So why would I want to break such a lovely rule? Just the
rebel in me, I guess. But even I can't bring myself to cross that line.
Maybe that's why I'm one of the proudly paranormal. Writing paranormal fiction allows me to get as close to possible to breaking that rule without actually doing it, thereby preventing a situation that might make my readers want to hurl things at me.
Sure, truth is stranger than fiction...but when it comes
to paranormal fiction, it's sometimes hard to tell.
The paranormal genres open up doors to cellars and attics
and dungeons not usually visited by mainstream fiction.
Heroes are sexier and stronger, villains are more
dangerous, heroines are able to tap into strange powers to overcome their
obstacles.
And paranormal fiction isn't just about mythical beasts --
not that I ever get tired of reading about vampires and werewolves -- it's psychic
phenomena, ghost encounters, journeys to other dimensions or planes of
existence. Heck, it's even teenage Grim Reapers.
Sure, there are still rules to writing fiction like that,
but in a paranormal, you get to make a lot of those rules up as you go along.
That's part of the reason why I love writing paranormal fiction. There's no limit to my imagination. I have complete control over the world I'm building and if I want magic rocks in my world, or a royal lineage of German Werewolves, or crabby genies who seek psychiatric help, all I have to do is write it.
Sure, sometimes there are last minute plot rescuers that
sound like "…and then her uncle sprouted horns and a tail and he breathed
fire and saved the heroine" but that might actually make sense in the story. It's paranormal,
after all.
Truth is, when it comes to paranormal writing, sometimes strange fiction is better.
BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde...
Saving the world one damned
person at a time—shy advice columnist-turned-oracle must find a way to save her
dangerous demivampire lover from the fate that threatens each of his race:
evolution and the destruction of his soul.
When advice columnist Sophie meets dark and
alluring Marek, she learns life-changing secrets about them both—he’s a
demivampire struggling to avoid evolution and she’s an empathic oracle destined
to save him. Sophie possesses the rare ability to reduce the spiritual damage
that causes a demivamp to Fall, making her the only thing that stands between a
DV and evolution. However, as Marek's dangerous past propels him toward his
desperate fate, his enemies make darker plans for him: once vampire, powerful
Marek would be second only to the Master himself. The vamps want to cause
Marek's Fall and they intend to use Sophie to do it....
Want to win an ebook of Bleeding Hearts? Just leave a comment below to enter the contest! (Want to take a chance at winning an even BIGGER prize? Visit this post to enter the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour gift basket contest!)
Next up... everyone's favorite Adriana Ryan. Be sure to visit her when she blogs on March 24th!
More about the PROUDLY PARANORMAL Blog Hop...
Each of the authors participating in this blog hop has super cool, ridiculously exciting prizes to giveaway. They’ll also be talking about their books and how you can win a copy! Check out the list below to see when and where you can visit your favorite writers!
1. M. L. Archer: THURSDAY March 1st
2. Gabrielle Bisset: SATURDAY March 3rd
Gabrielle will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and swag (i.e. bookmarks, pens, and other goodies!) for Blood Avenged, an erotic paranormal romance!
J.D. Brown will be giving away her e-book, Dark Heirloom!
4. Chastity Bush: TUESDAY March 6th
Chastity Bush will be giving away one of her books, reader’s choice!
Krista will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Sprits Rising!
7. Janie Franz: SATURDAY March 10th
Janie will be giving away an e-copy of her book, Ruins Artifacts!
Dianne will be giving away e-copies of her book NATHANIEL!
Jan will be giving away a $20 Barnes & Noble Gift Card for one person and one free copy of Veiled Virtues to another person!
Rosalie will be giving away a copy of Book One in the Chronicles of Caleath–Exiled: Autumn’s Peril or reader’s choice if they have read Book One!
Sky will be giving away e-copies of The Victorian Lure (Calum’s Curse: Ardetha Vampyre)!
Liv will be giving away a couple paperback versions of A Vampire’s Deadly Delight, as well as a PDF copy, and a Smashwords code for a copy of Bites – Ten Tales of Vampires!
13. Rebecca Ryals Russell: MONDAY March 19th
Rebecca will be giving away a tote bag filled with swag (note pad, pen, keyring, bookmark, postcard cover art from her YA series, Seraphym Wars)!
A.H. Browne will be giving away coupons for a free download of her book, Dark Illusions, from Smashwords!
Marsha will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One!
16. Alexandra Kane: THURSDAY March 22nd
Alexandra will be giving away 1 free copy of Darkness Rising (reader chooses print, Kindle, Nook or PDF) + a pen, 2012 calendar, magnet, and chocolate!
Ash will be giving away e-copies of Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde & a Barnes & Noble gift card!
Adriana will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of her novella, Her Heart’s Desire!
Savannah will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Bid For Love!
I so agree with your point of view on paranormal. The genre offers so many areas to explore. Love it! And the book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI love this and have to completely agree with you. One reason why I just love the paranormal genre is that I get to let my "bad" girl self out and have fun (vicariously through my girls in the stories, lol) without breaking rules IRL. And, at the same time, I get to make my own worlds up like I already live in my head! How fun! haha Great post!
ReplyDelete"...because fiction needs to make sense."
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
And yeah, last-minute magical power additions and other plot savers are CHEATING and they piss me off.
(...tell us how you really feel, Liv...)
;)
LOL @ Liv! If you didn't, you wouldn't be the Liv we so love and adore! :D
ReplyDeleteAsh, you're so right in that we paranorms are non-conformists! :D Never thought of it that way myself. The critics might love real life, but we say long live the freaky stuff! (Well, erotica writers say that, too, I suppose ... hehe.)
'Sure, truth is stranger than fiction...but when it comes to paranormal fiction, it's sometimes hard to tell.' That's a great line! Really enjoyed your post and completely agree with you. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ash, Conforming to the cliche of 'a card carrying non-conformist' all my life, I think you have answered my own musing about why I love the paranormal. Thanks for putting my fascination with this genre into words. :)
ReplyDeleteI had to give a chuckle at .....because fiction needs to make sense. I love it. I don't like to conform either. I'm an old bat and I'm just now in my rebellious stage that I didn't have in my teens.
ReplyDeleteI got some piercings and I'm wanting a few tattoos.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
*sigh* I am so happy to find myself in such good company! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the post...thanks again for stopping by on the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to enter the BIG giveaway for the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour...the Rafflecopter is down below on the bottom of the blog!
And, at the end if this hop, I'll be giving away a book and a GC to a commenter on this post...taking entries until the end of the month. Good luck and happy reading!
Hi, Ash.
ReplyDeleteYou are a new author for me. I enjoyed both the post and the excerpt; they were great and interesting reads. I look forward in reading your works.
Thanks,
Tracey D
The RandomBot has spoken...
ReplyDeletecongrats to--
LIV RANCORT!
I will hunt you down, Liv, and force prizes upon thee. You cannot hide.
:)