Romance/Love: October 19, 2011 Issue [#4667] |
Romance/Love
This week: The Romance of the Paranormal Edited by: SantaBee More Newsletters By This Editor
1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
Happy Spooktober! What is it about paranormal romance that draws us toward it like a moth to a flame? Is it the fatal attraction? The unknown? The danger? I thought I'd take a look at the roots of paranormal writing and explore those elements that put the romance in the paranormal.
|
ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
The paranormal has its roots in gothic fiction. Ann Radcliffe is considered one of the founders of the genre, having published six novels in the late 1790's.
Gothic stories usually involve a dark castle or a mansion. There are numerous secret passages, trap doors, or mysterious rooms. The castle can be abandoned or in bad repair. There's almost always a dark secret, omen, or prophecy involved which heightens the mystery or suspense.
The hero is traditionally a handsome, but brooding figure and the heroine is usually placed in situations of distress. Supernatural events are implied, but a natural reason is usually given to explain the event. High emotion and drama are also found in the gothic. Most recently, Victoria Holt reinvigorated the genre with her novels in the 1970-90's.
Paranormal romance takes the gothic elements one step further. The hero or heroine generally tends to be a paranormal creature - a vampire, werewolf, witch, or shifter. The locales in paranormal writing tend to involve old mansions, castles, and exotic places. As with the gothic, secrets and supernatural events are plentifully, but the explanation is anything but natural.
Why is the vampire's bite so inviting? The wolf's eyes so mesmerizing, or the witch so appealing? The bite takes the kiss one step further, invading the body. It invites the forging of a deeper connection between lovers.
Eyes are windows of the soul, and a werewolf's eyes show his true heart, if it is noble and good, or bad to the bone.
The witch can do so many amazing things, move objects, change objects, or mystify. The attraction to the unknown appeals to all of us. There's a mystery to discover, enjoy - solve.
The "bad" vampire or werewolf is often perceived as a fatal attraction - a challenge to tame and conquer. The theme is eternal - the good girl's love tames the "bad" boy.
What's your attraction to paranormal romance? Have you read any authors you would like to recommend?
Smiles
Steph
A Word About: NaNoWriMo - NOV 2011
I just wanted to say a little bit about NaNoWriMo which is coming up, November this year. I've done NaNoWriMo for the past two years, but this year I might not participate only because I'm in the middle of a project. If you are considering it, give it a challenge. You have to write approx. 1,600 words a day. Easy yet demanding considering our busy schedules. Each year I was a winner, but you have to keep your focus. It's a great time to challenge yourself. If you take up the challenge, there are many excellent support groups here on Writing.com. Send me a link to your project and I'll feature it in my next Romance/Love Newsletter. |
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1514659 by Not Available. |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
|
|
Feedback from my 21 SEP 2011 Romance/Love Newsletter:
Thelma
Hi, My name is Thelma Allen and, I'm doing a self-publishing Book when I have the time, but I haven't
came with no clue on what I'm going to write about yet.
Good luck, Thelma. It will come. NaNoWriMo is such a challenge, yet exciting time. I've done it the past two years, but I don't think I'll do it this year only because I'm in the middle of a project now. Maybe I might. We'll see. It would help me finish this project.
prenwa Hey, this is good but I think I need more detailed story on roses, love and romance to give me deep insight on how to start writing on that. You really tried.
Quite honestly, you write from your heart. What does a rose mean to you? Does it mean anything? If it means nothing, then even that is a basis of a story.
BIG BAD WOLF is Merry
First you sniff the rose, then you kiss your boyfriend/girlfriend. Then you do whatever else happens.
Sounds like good advice, Big Bad Wolf.
SantaBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her paranormal romance novel, The Count's Lair, won Silver in the Reader's Favorite competition for Romance: Sci-fi/Fantasy. Her lastest release, Book 3 of the Budapest Moon Series, "Danube in Candlelight" will be released on 1 NOV 2011. |
ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |