I may not write it, but I like to read it!

This week's topic doesn't really apply to my writing.  As I've said before, I don't have a lot of "other species" in my series.  

What I do have are feelings and talents and abilities in plain old people.  And spirit guides.  And the occasional visit from a goddess.  Sometimes I think another species would be easier to write.  Probably one of those "the grass is always greener" moments, but still.....

I do enjoy reading about other species, though.  As long as the writing is well done and the characters believable, that is.

Take Charlaine Harris, for example.  I enjoyed her first few books in the Southern Vampire series (the Sookie Stackhouse books, for those who don't know), but the later ones aren't as believable to me.  I don't think Sookie, as a character, has grown much -- or at least as much as I'd like to see.

Kim Harrison's White Witch, Black Curse is the first I've read in that series.  (OK, I admit it, I don't always start at the beginning!)  I'll tell you, I'm impressed with it.  The characters seem well thought out and the story line is moving right along.  There are banshees, fairies, vampires, and witches and that seems to work for me.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood, a series staring vampires by JR Ward, is another series where I can say "yes, that could happen."  While this one is more love-story, romantic then what I normally read, I can even put that aside once in awhile.  Especially for these guys!

It seems most of the paranormal books out there right now focus on vampires.  There's almost always a werewolf in the supporting cast.   A few have other species thrown in.  Or am I not looking in the right places?

What are your favorite "other species" books?  I'm always looking for something new to read!

Blessings!

Nichole

Do I really write paranormal?

Have you noticed that vampires are a hot commodity these days?  My stories don't include vampires or weres of any kind.  They don't have fairies or elves.  No dragons or unicorns, either.

So do I really write paranormal?

I think so.

Of my main characters, one is a Lakota spirit guide.  He offers insight to my protagonist in ways that my "flesh-and-blood" characters can't.  But is it enough?

Between Stephanie Meyer and her Twilight series, Charlaine Harris and her Sookie Stackhouse books, and JR Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the market is full of vampires.  Come to think of it, each of  those series has a few token werewolves, as well.

So what do you think makes a story paranormal?  Does it count if "mythical" creatures aren't represented?  Or do ghosts and tarot cards in the story qualify?

I'd love to hear your opinions!

Blessings!

Nichole

A Were---What???--When you've squeezed the "were" group just a little too hard and too many times.

I’m an avid fan of the werewolf. Sure he has large teeth, canine breath, and an abundance of body hair, but I don’t judge. Because there is simply something about him that appeals to me. It’s that innate sensuality. That total loss of control and breaking out into another form when the full moon rises. It’s hot, I tell ya.
However, I am not so enthused about the werehyena. Or the wererat. Or any other odd “were” that writers sometimes use.
The “were” prefix is sometimes added to an animal name to denote the animal as a shapeshifter of sorts. It works best with animals that have some sort of appeal whereas popping “were” onto the front of the word “ferret” is decidedly lacking.
Werecougar? A bit hot. Werebeaver? *groan* The visual this conjures has the capacity to undo me and send me into gales of laughter every time.
Just because you CAN pop “were” onto the beginning of a word doesn’t mean you should. Forgo being the writer who uses the term “werearachnid.” MaryJanice Davidson did but that doesn’t make it right. And by the way, I’m fairly sure she has a bit more leeway than the rest of us.

I’m all for originality. And it’s mighty tempting to try and boldly go where few or none have gone before.
But here’s the truth: Keep going out on that literary “were” branch and pretty soon the limb shrinks to the size of a toothpick, and you’re left with your butt swaying in the breeze just waiting to drop into the abyss.
Show some restraint. Show some creativity. But for heaven’s sake, don’t show me a werebeaver. I won’t be responsible for my actions.
Grins,
Crystal Inman*
http://chryswriter.tripod.com
http://chryscat.blogspot.com

By the way, I just wanted to say THANKS to all the great ladies here at the blog. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Here, there, every 'were'...

There's just nothing like a great shifter story is there? Whether they are panthers, wolves or dare I say dragons, there is something primal about weres that draw a reader in. Of course the most common were is a wolf, purely due to legend I think.

One of my wips Wolf's Bane, is a wolf tale. I usually try to escape the 'norm' and do something different, but why mess with a good thing, right? My absolute favorite shifter novel is The Last Dragonlord by Joanne Bertin. If you haven't read it, you're missing out on a great were tale with magic and romance. I'd love to write a good weredragon story or maybe a werephoenix one. That would certainly be writing out of the box. Is there a market for them? I think so, but I bet they'd be in the fantasy aisle.

Happy reading,

Beth