Impressions from an author of vampire books Back to Blog
Update: The inner of a copy of GRAVE NEW DAY is…Cindy Carrol! Congrats, Cindy!
Paranormal authors must have certain qualities in order to write in their genre: A very open mind. Imagination that goes beyond the earthly realm. Love of the unexplained. Maybe we all have a bit of scientist in us. In our own way we’re exploring our world and beyond. We look at our plot and ask ‘what if’ we twist this into something darker and more dangerous (just saying that makes me smile). And for those whose imagination extends beyond the boundaries of earthly unexplained phenomena or mythology – there are no limits to what can be done in the paranormal genre. Editors are looking for what’s different, but in a way that is familiar and sought-after by readers. As difficult as that sounds, there are elements that are intrinsic in all books.
Good writing is based on emotion. In my mind, the main, most important element of your book is emotion. The eerie/dangerous/magical/maniacal, and the list goes on… elements lend themselves nicely to building emotion and angst in our books, so it’s lots of fun to write. The characters are bigger than life, so their emotions and angst have to be bigger than life as well. That can be a challenge.
More often than not these characters are physically stronger than normal. Maybe they can’t die. Or maybe they can die, but it’s very difficult to kill them. Or they have superpowers, but a green meteor rock is their Achilles heel. <G> That creates major differences from writing non-paranormal books (obviously) but it goes further than that. Creating these personalities is different, not just because our characters are paranormal, but because their emotions can’t possibly be the same as a real person’s. Their lives aren’t impacted by the same things as mortal men, therefore, their fears and desires must also be different. For example: What are paranormal characters afraid of? What kinds of angst do they have? Their daily lives are unpredictable, and their abilities are not the same as mortal men.
I’ve always wanted to write category romance as well as paranormal but couldn’t quite sell the romances even though I came close. I now believe it was because I didn’t understand the importance of emotion in the romances. Sounds silly not understanding the importance of emotion in a romance – I know. I thought I wrote enough emotion, but in reality I was more interested in creating unique plots, etc. than making sure the hero and heroine were emotionally and inseparably connected.
It wasn’t until I began to write paranormals that I realized how paramount emotion is to binding my whole story into an unputdownable book. That’s when I realized what I’d been doing wrong. For some reason, I “got it” when I wrote paranormal. Paranormal romance has many of the same relationship elements as does a regular romance, only in a paranormal, life and death often come into play; relationships are doomed if not impossible, problems seem insurmountable, needs are bigger and emotion is as jagged and exposed as many of the wounds and conflicts in the books.
Given that information, writing a paranormal character who can’t die, or who is exponentially stronger than any human, it’s important to create a set of problems for the hero or heroine that is as large as the characters themselves. Uber emotion. Their problems have to be worse. They don’t worry about death, they don’t worry about pain (sometimes) — so what do they worry about?
My heroine is a vampire, her brother is a priest. She worries about losing her faith. About going against everything she and her brother believe in. There’s nothing small about that. It’s her daily angst, she worries that she’ll lose herself to the darkness that invades her soul every minute. She can’t die, but she can lose her immortal soul. A worse than death problem for her.
It wasn’t until I started writing Jess Vandermire, my female vampire and John Brittain, her love match and human ex-cop that I learned how integral emotion is in a book. She’s strong—he’s weaker physically. She might kill him if she loses control; and if that happens, the only way he can stop her is to kill her. Not something either of them wants to contemplate. Their problems seem insurmountable. Yet, I did give them a point of connection at the beginning of the series. She’s a vampire and can no longer practice her faith, he’s an ex-cop who believes he committed murder and therefore won’t go back to the church because he committed a mortal sin. It’s the one area where they are equal and they understand how the other feels. They understand on an emotional level, rather than physical level.
The next time you read a book, try reading it for the emotion. Maybe compare the books you really like to those that aren’t quite your cup of tea. You might find the differences are in the amount of emotion conveyed in the books…
Thanks to all the readers and writers who’ve joined in on this blog and have taken the time to listen to this author’s perspective on writing. It’s been a pleasure.
Thanks very much, Cynthia, for inviting me to your blog. You’ve done a great job with it.
There’ll be a ‘Grave New Day’ – New Release giveaway at the end of the day. If you win, and you’d rather start with the first book in the series, rather than the third, I’ll send you Grave Illusions to get you started.
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Hi,
this is a really great post. All the books that stay in my mind are the ones that are full of emotions. Especially if I am on the verge of tears at the end…oh boy!!!
Valerie
in Germany
Excellent essay! I only ask an author to do two things–entertain me and draw me into your world. If an author can do those things I’m on board. When an author can make me cry or laugh out loud then they’ve got me. To me that’s a sign of a good writer–make me feel. If you do, then I’ll read whatever you write.
Hi, Lina! Thanks so much for guest posting–and I loved your emotion discussion. Great info!
Great post. I’ve been putting the emotion into my reading for some time now. It really makes the story. Thank you.
Hi, Lina.
You’re a new author for me. I just visited your site and am SO READY to start this series. I look forward in reading it and your future works.
Thanks!
Great post. When I was trying to write contemporary romance I had trouble putting emotion into my books too. It’s funny because when I switched to suspense/thrillers it became easier for some reason.
I agree with you Lina, a book has to have emotion or it doesn’t work for me! A lot of times if a book is not working for me that is what its lacking!
Hi everyone, I’m sorry I’m behind in replying.
Hi Valerie! I lived in Germany when I was a tot. My father was in the Canadian army.
I agree Sheila, and I used to think it would be difficult for an author to cry when she rereads her own book (like Laura Wilder in Romancing the Stone) 🙂 But I did cry at the end of my third book.
Thanks so much, Cynthia. I’m glad you liked the discussion.
Viki,
It’s all about the emotion, that’s for sure.
Tracey D.
Yay! I’m glad to hear it. Hope you like the series. Be sure to drop me a line on my webpage and let me know what you think.
Cindy,
Now that you’ve figured out how to get the emotion down in your suspense, if you still want to write romance, you’ll probably have a better handle on it now. At least that’s how it worked for me.
Quilt Lady,
I quilt too! My kids say they have to wait ten years for their quilts so they order ahead. LOL
It’s funny how we can be so drawn into a book and not realize it’s the emotion that’s got us hooked.
You are a new author for me and I really enjoyed your post. I never thought about the need for “Uber emotion” for paranormal characters, but that makes sense. Giving a vamp heroine a priest for a brother certainly hypes up the emotional tally. I’d like to read more.
LSUReader,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks! If you’d like to read a little more there are first chapter excerpts of the series at ImaJinn Books and Amazon, etc. It’ll give you an idea of my writing style.
Cynthia, while I’m online I’ve been perusing your webpage. It’s really great! I love it. Very well laid out and easy to find whatever information your fans are looking for.
I love when a book taps into my emotions… when I can feel things along with a character… another new to me author to add to my list! Thanks for sharing today!
Really enjoyed the post! Very interesting!! I have not read your books either, but I have added your name to my pile!! I have always enjoyed books that bring out some kind of emotion from me!!
Colleen,
Thanks so much, and thanks for joining in on the blog.
I’d be thrilled to hear what you think of the book or books when you’ve read them.
Judy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for saying so!!
As I said to Colleen, above, I’d love to hear from you when you’ve read one of the books.
my web page address is http://www.linagardiner.com
there’s a contact link on the first page. Thanks again!
Hi Lina!
thanks for being here today – I really enjoyed reading your post! you are a new author to me, but after visiting your homepage they are on my wishlist 🙂 and congrats on your newest release!
wish you all the best,
Ina
Ina,
Just hearing the word wishlist makes my day. As a writer, I think there are certain goals we want to hit as we build our career. That word is one of mine. 🙂
Thanks so much. All the best to you, too.
Lina,
Wow, you just hit the nail on the head for me. That is why I love to read and write paranormal. I mean the alphas are just so…so…ALPHA. And with all their special powers…Yum.
I love the emotion that comes up when an immortal has to view his forever life without his soul mate, or when this character would choose a little bit of now in exchange for forever.
You’ve found another reader here!
Sharon,
The alphas are definitely all that! lol Yum is right!!
I so agree with everything you said. That is part of the draw of reading and writing paranormal for me, too.
I made it a little more difficult for myself in my series with an alpha heroine and a human male. I had to find ways to make him stronger than her, and those ways were mostly emotional. Although, he’s pretty ripped, too. 🙂
Hi Lina!
the phrase which should make your day should be “hey, today I bought all your books” or “I’ve read your book and I love it!” 😉 and after reading the reviews I’m sure I will say the first one soon 🙂
greetings, Ina
Ina, they’re on my list, too.
Thanks so much!!!!
Lina
Ina:
I had a wink at the end but it didn’t show up. Let me try again… LOL 😉
I enjoyed the post and the chance to learn more about you and your books Lina. I will definitely be looking for this series when next I’m book shopping.
Welcome Lina,
Great post. Congrats on the upcoming release. I’m looking forward to reading your series.
Hi, Lina! Thank you for a very interesting post!Paranormal romance is intense, shivery and wicked. I love INTENSE. Who would want a Vampire who was not intense? Having said that, it’s so much more attractive for that Vampire to have one soft spot–his love for a very special woman! You are right on about the increasingly creative and expansive world of paranormal fiction! A savory-sweet, sensual smorgasbord–let’s dine : )
Vampires will never lose their eerily erotic allure. They can easily dispatch all challengers to the paranormal throne. Vampires are the most insidious evil, often appearing solicitous and charming. All the while, they are sensing the beat of your heart and savoring the thought of slaking their thirst with the red, red wine of your blood. I’ve no doubt Vampires will be around as long as humanity exists.
Thanks so much, Jane! My book came out this week, so it is pretty exciting. I’m pleased to hear your looking forward to the series. You gals are making my day!!
wow awesome post ur a new to me author so congrats on the new book will have to look in to the other ones in this series sounds awesome !
Virgina,
Loved your post. Especially the sensing the beat of your heart section – you’re a visual writer – well done.
Vampires do have an allure like no other, don’t they? A person could write a thesus on why we find them so alluring.
SiNn,
Cute post name! ; )
Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked the post, and thanks re: the new book. The third one kind of shakes my series up a bit, so I’ll be looking forward to hearing what readers think. 🙂
Barbara! I almost missed your post. Please forgive me.
I hope you’ll enjoy the books, be sure to let me know if you do get a chance to read them! Thanks again!
Lina – wonderful blog. When are you coming to Maine to do a workshop on building emotion in characters? We miss you. And, yes, folks, Lina does know how to use emotion in her books. Congrats on Book # 3.
Deb, sweetie! Hello!!!! and thank you sooo much!
A workshop on emotion? GULP I’ve never done a workshop in person — talk about emotion, nervous emotion. LOL
Maybe… it’d be a good experience for me that’s for sure. I miss you, too. Wish I could’ve made the Retreat last month.
How true…you need emotion in your characters to make them seem human or nonhuman…thats how we connect to the characters believing they could be walking down our streets or living next door… Great Post!!! I also write paranormanal stories and I’m always looking for my connection to emotion, making sure its in there so others can find it.
Thank you so much I really enjoyed this post…
I have not read your books but I be reading them now…I can’t wait to get my hands on them.
Thanks
Heidi
Heidi, thanks so much! Grin on my face that won`t wipe off….
Good luck with your writing, too!
Heidi,
That`s a HAPPY grin, BTW. 🙂
Great post! And in order to fully enjoy a story I have to feel invested in what happens to the characters. If I’m hurting or crying when they do then I’m a fulfilled reader.
Joder,
Thanks! I`m glad you enjoyed the post. And I agree, I want to feel like I`m right there with those characters when I`m reading them. For sure I feel that way when I`m writing them; if I don`t, I know I haven`t done my job and it`s revision time. 🙂
Great post Lina, and the book is sounding like one for me.
I agree it’s all about the characters and emotions, that’s the key in all of my very favorite books. In my paranormals, I do like a good plot, but still, those emotions have to be there, and they will be different as you see because of the nature of the genre.
Lina was just checking out your site. I’ve found so many authors I like from Imajinn, including Keri Arthur and Cynthia years ago. Maybe you might want to start a newsletter, was looking for one there to join.
Thanks very much, Pam. You`re so right, the plot has to be good, and different and full of action in a paranormal. Especially since there are so many of them out there, now. A person has to bring something different to the book in the way of plot, and cinch the deal with the emotion.
Pam: I agree, Cynthia, Keri Arthur and Lilith Saintcrow, and so many others are amazing authors who write for ImaJinn Books (I wonder how many of them got their start there, like I did?) I know I felt very humbled when I sold to ImaJinn in light of the heavy hitters who come out of that publishing house. 🙂
Starting a newsletter is a great idea, I`ll broach it with the other authors. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Lina
I read the posts & was so proud to be able to say I have been your friend for over 30 years. I told you many years ago that your stories were great. Now everyone knows. Remember I would plan the cast for the movie that should made from each one I read. This series has kept me in suspense from the start. I can hardly wait for #3. Way to go Friend.
Now I simply love stories that can invoke emotions out of me, that seem to broadcast through the words that the characters are going through. If it makes me cry, rage along side with the character, then the story is a definitely keeper