Since I started writing paranormal romance, I’ve frequently been asked why some of us find the idea of supernatural heroes or heroines so exciting. After all, vampires, demons, and werewolves were the villains of the horror movies, the monsters that kept us huddled under the blankets at night. (I was so easily terrified by horror movies that my mom wouldn’t let me watch them. There IS such a thing as having too good an imagination when you’re ten.) So now that we’re grown up (at least in theory), what is it about these same creatures that has us all excited for entirely different reasons?
I’ve had to really think about this one. I mean, I know I love these stories, but why? With a little help and thanks to other readers and authors, here’s what I’ve come up with:
- Many of these creatures are immortal, or near to it. It takes the concept of eternal love to a whole new level. What could be a better happy-ever-after than a happy-EVER-after?
- Supernatural heroes have power. Power, whether it’s economic, physical, political, or magical, is attractive. Power turns us on.
- Paranormal heroines have power, too. And since when we read, we become the heroine, for a little while, we have power, too. And that’s a very appealing fantasy, as well.
- Werewolves, vampires, sorcerers, demons, and elves. They all tend to be very alpha. Very dominant, very protective, very confident. And usually very charismatic as well. Yum.
- The element of mystery is a turn-on. While we might be afraid of these things if they we real, when we’re suspending our disbelief, they become exotic and mysterious, making us yearn to discover more.
- Many romance readers love it because it lets us escape our day-to-day routines. And if you’re going to dream, why not dream big? A popular hero in the romances of my early years was the Greek shipping tycoon. Living in the middle of
- Adrenaline probably has something to do with it, too. Fear and attraction cause pretty close to the same physical reactions. So scaring us and arousing us can really go hand-in-hand.
- And the number one reason, we call agreed. We love them all, because they’re just so darn sexy! And that’s what it all comes down to.
So tell me what you think. Are vampires sexy, but werewolves gross? Do you like ghosts or pixies or mermaids? Would you rather see a hero with powers, or a heroine or both? And then, take a second to think about WHY. You might be surprised by your own response.
Happy haunting!
Cindy
Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape
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22 comments:
Great post.
Paranormal is my favorite genre. And before it was a genre, I'd lean toward horror and the darker side of womens fiction - VC Andrews comes to mind.
Vamps and werewolves can be sexy and scary -- depends on how the author portrays them.
I love it when it's both. That danger element is extremely sexy!
Thanks, Jo-Anne! I agree completely, though I was always drawn more to Elizabeth Peters and the old gothics, more romance than horror.
I walk between the contemporary and paranormal worlds, and I enjoy reading about characters who have problems I don't have--or twists on problems I do have. Humorous paranormals, therefore, suck me right in--if your single Mom is a vampire, who goes to the parent-teacher conferences? Do women married to werewolves argue over who's responsible for vacuuming up the pet hair? I love absurdity.
I love paranormal. When I read for pure enjoyment sake, chances are good it will have some sort of paranormal element to it.
I think for me its that "thinking outside the box" paranormal gives an author that makes it both exciting and scary. What can we come up with that will entice the reader to keep turning the page.
Great article, it highlighted all my thoughts on paranormal much more well-thought out that I could have done it.
Kathy
Why paranormal? Because anything is possible and good always beats out the baddies! It's why I love it.
Oh, I agree!!!! Fantastic post, Cindy. I love the dark, delicious paranormal heroes.
Who wouldn't want super-powers and look hot in black leather?! Great post, Cindy!
Keri--I am so with you on the absurdity. One of my first books is about a werewolf who'd had a vasectomy. It hadn't occurred to him that intentional surgery might also regenerate...
Kathy, I think you're dead on about the outside the box comment too. It's so much fun thinking what if, and following through.
Caridad, the anything is possible is a perfect definition, Debra, dark is definitely delicious, and Liz, you had me at leather!
It's funny - I'm not naturally a paranormal reader. Probably because I was one of those 'nightmare all night' kids too - blood and my stomach are mortal enemies :) So by the time I was reading romances, I'd gotten use to skipping all the books with black covers.
But I love absurdity and some paranormals definitely have that - Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson is an example that literally had me guffawing out loud. And Cindy, I love the idea of a werewolf undergoing a vasectomy to unintended consequences...takes spaying to a whole new level ;)
Elyse
Bad spelling..lol let's try again! lol
Great post Cindy! I love paranormal because it gives a woman's imagination free range to roam. Paranormal allows plenty of room for politically incorrect animal instincts and desires. It think its very healthy to have an entertaining outlet for these desires. There's a she-beast in all of us! lol
XXOO Kat
Cindy - I've always been a big fan of 'powers' or superpowers! It's kind of like the movie Napoleon Dynamite - you need powers for girls to like you!
Love your paranormals!
Elyse, I think I came to paranormal more through the fairytale route than through the horror route, though my stuff isn't intentionally humorous, it seems to end up that way.
Kat & Julia, you're absolutely right--it's a great way to indulge your fantasies, and powers rock!
Why? Because anything goes!
Give me supernatural, give me immortal, just don't make them dead.
I can't get past the thought all that bluish white skin means it would be like getting busy with a popsicle.
I've been a paranormal fan long before they became really popular. They were hidden in those days amongst the other stories and were hard to find. Probably showing my age. ;)
I like paranormals because they're always a bit different, the world building is interesting and I enjoy the alpha characters along with the hint of danger. For an author, the only limit is imagination. :)
I grew up reading horror and fantasy so I think paranormal's just a natural extension of that. Was a big fan of Lois Duncan when I was a teen (Astral projecting evil twins!) I like urban fantasy and love paranormal romance..I think the idea of a tame monster is a big pull for me.
Dita, I agree totally. Not big on dead heroes--if I do vampires, I have to twist the mythos a bit. Shelley, I know exactly what you mean--reading paranormal before there was a name for it. We'll have to compare notes someday. And Eleri, I'll go one better. The fantasy of taming the monster--that's a big one for a lot of us.
Great post, Cindy. I enjoy writing and reading paranormals and I think part of the reason is because everything is a bit more. The risks and pay-off higher, the possibilities wider, and of course, there is the pure escapism ;)
LOL Keri on the shifter couple arguing over who vacuums the pet hair.
This was an interesting post. I think you've hit on a lot of the reasons people like paranormal. My paranormals aren't dark, but I love that little extra "something, something" that my stories have that they wouldn't have otherwise. Just an element that makes them more interesting. Although I don't always read paranormals. Most of the books I read AREN'T. I love them all, paranormals and mysteries and romances.Cindy mentioned Elizabeth Peters. She's one of my favorite authors.
I love paranormal romances for all the reasons listed. Great post. :)
Anita, Jenny, NJ, thanks so much for stopping by!
I'm late in stopping by but still decided to answer. As a writer I never EVER thought I would delve into writing paranormal myself. I didn't feel qualified. Then a vampire whispered inot my ear and I changed from a romance writer into one of those people who write things that's going to send me straight to hell. WHAT FUN!!
As a reader anything paranormal got my attention and if it was scary I was in heaven. Stephen King was a master at feeding my hunger and so was Anne Rice.
I think I love paranormal books so much because it gets my heart racing, scares and thrill me, leaves me breathless and is worth my time.
As far as were wolves being gross there are some writers who have made them very sexy, dangerous and the thing to read. Try L.A. Banks.
My fans are pleading for a contemporary romance from me and I attempt it but a ghost or psychic shows up and there you have it. LOL
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