Cross-genre Frenzy: How Has it Impacted Horror

Let’s face it, there’s a definite trend in the publishing industry. Paranormal romances are hot, hot, hot! But what does that mean for the horror genre as a whole? In the wake of best-sellers and billion dollar franchises such as The Twilight Saga, Fallen, The Vampire Diaries, and less so, True Blood, many of us are left scratching our heads in wonder. Once vampires, demons, and werewolves were fearsome creatures that inspired nightmares and sleepless nights. They embodied the things we feared, the reasons we hid under the covers at night.

Now, they seem more apt to make you swoon and giggle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m guilty of enabling. I like the paranormal trend. There IS something exciting about monsters and the forbidden aspect of it all makes me giddy as a schoolgirl. I’ve read Twilight, and honestly, I can’t say anything bad about the books. (The movies are an entirely different matter.) They were geared toward a specific audience and it worked. Fans fell in love. I found myself rooting for the characters. To me, that equates success, no matter what the varying opinions of the books may be.

On the other hand, my heart breaks just a little. It hurts to see villains, terrible creatures that I grew up both loving and fearing . . . well . . . all sparkly and pretty. To see them shimmer in the sun. It takes all of the horror, all of the danger, right out of the equation. I guess that’s why I love prefer the True Blood series. Eric is still pretty nasty when he wants to be. There are still gruesome, despicable acts that terrify, and not too nice creatures lying in wait. The vampires are still vampires, and yes, they do burn.

*sniff* Goodbye, Godric.

Because of these ever popular trends, many horror writers today face an even greater challenge. We have to recreate the monster and abolish much of the sunshiny goodness and loveable stigmata now attached to our protagonists. We have to find a way to make them loathsome and inspire fear. It takes more work than ever to build that atmosphere of terror and establish a truly horrific character.

 Nothing has been untouched. That’s not to say it’s impossible. Show us, the audience, all of the sinister deeds it commits along the way. Allow us a glimpse into the dark workings of your monster’s mind. Reinforce the fact that this is not some teen heartthrob, but a vile force to be reckoned with. I don’t want to be told I should fear this beast because of what it is, I want to feel that terror firsthand. I want reasons to be afraid . . . and I want this atrocity you create to feel like a very real threat.

They say everything has already been done. Idea-wise, that is probably true. What will make your story unique is the fresh perspective you bring, the unique thoughts and stance your characters take throughout the story. Their individual voices and the experiences they bring.
 Don’t shy away from these new challenges. Embrace them. Force the industry to evolve.

I know without a doubt, I will enjoy following where both these roads lead. What about you? What are your thoughts on the impact and possible solutions?
 
~Best wishes and happy writing!~
Adriana

Almost there . . .

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! And to those of you who don't celebrate this time of year, I hope you had a fantabulous weekend, just the same. *smiles*

We're almost through the first decade of the new millennium. It's a strange feeling, knowing that so much has already changed on both a personal and global scale, and I'm sure the next ten years will bring about even more growth. Some of the changes have been welcome advances, and others not so much. But whatever the case is, change is inevitable. Might as well embrace it!

As usual, I find myself winding down after the holidays and looking back with that whole "year-at-a-glance" mentality. I've grown as a person, become a little kinder and more patient when it comes to others and their short comings. I mean, even as awesome as I am, have  a few. Even my outlook on writing has matured, going from hobby to . . . well . . .whatever it is that this new path will bring. I have faith though.

I know it's time, but I think 2010 finally forced me to grow UP. Even if just a little bit.

If you're anything like me though, you find yourself looking back at some of the not so good things about the past year--the struggles, the failures, the hardships, and looking at the calendar with just a wee bit of hope. I think somewhere deep down, we all look at the upcoming year and tell ourselves this will be the one . . . the one where things get better for us, or easier somehow. We count down the days and tell ourselves "almost there."

I'm not big on making resolutions, but I am big on hope.

I hope 2011 brings you all that you dreamed of and more. I hope this is the year all of your dreams come true. Don't forget though, that regardless of the struggles and hardships we think we are facing, no one can make those dreams come true but you. Work hard and strive---never stop reaching for those stars.

I'm going for the moon.

And now a little vampire humor, just to make you laugh. I apologize to all you Twilight fans. I've got nothing against Edward, or the series. In fact, I enjoyed reading them...but Eric Northman will always be the one who makes me smile:

~Best wishes and happy writing!~
Adriana

On a Publishing Roll

This week, I submitted two short stories to a literary anthology, Literary Foray.  I'm pleased to announce both were accepted.  Not only that, but the editor selected one of them to take first slot.  At least so far.  *laughs*

Farspace 2 finally hit the shelves, putting another printed copy of my work in hand . . . and I figured, while I was seizing the word by the horns this week, I might as well try shaking it around for a while too!  I sent 'Philomena' off to play in traffic.  We shall see if she makes it across the road in one piece, or if I've murdered my precious darling.  This is the first item I've ever dared put a pricetag on, other than a contributor's copy.  While I can say that makes me feel--odd--almost like selling out some aspect of myself . . . the one that wrote just for the sheer joy of writing . . . I can also honestly say "It's time."

I've proved to myself, and my family, that I have the talent to make it, if I so desire.  I've reached beyond the glory of winning sitewide contests and taken those first few difficult steps: I've gotten my name in print.  Several times.  Now, I want to up the ante.

I'm hungry for more.  It's like a shark getting that first taste of blood.  I want this so bad now, that I can FEEL it clear down in my core.  I want a paycheck.  Cash--check in hand!

Beyond that, I want to finish a novel.  I have two in the works.  I don't know.  I just feel like it's time to stop playing author and finally become one.  The road won't be easy, and I'm sure I'll stumble many times before I find my feet in this new battle arena . . . but I'm warning you now world . . . I'm not about to let anything stand in my way!

~Best wishes
Adriana

After a long absence . . .

I find I'm more than eager to return to the swing of things. I've missed the natural order . . . the companionship and distraction I've found on the net. I never realized just how much I used it, not for fun, but for research. And well, yes, there was the fun stuff, too. *winks*

I've been busy writing though, despite it all. Somehwere along the way, I found the drive I needed to really start rolling forward and accomplish what I set out to do way back when. Though, really, I have to admit a huge part of that inspiration come in the form of a swift kick to the ass from someone very dear to my heart. You know who you are, darling, and I treasure every moment of our talks far more than you know. *smiles*

Maybe sometime soon I will share an excerpt from the book I have been working on. Until then, I will share this rambling free form I wrote the other day. A slice of my heart, the blood from my soul:

Fate Awaits

With trembling hand, I reach across the divide

An emptiness imposed by both time and space

But never an absence of the heart

For you are the breath that sustains me

And I am stained in your essence

The imprints you’ve left

The time we've spent waiting

Your words are a soothing balm to my soul

Your voice like the softest whisper from an angel

And just as forbidden

But I would cast aside heaven and its promises

I would forgo the gentle warmth of the sun just to lay beneath the shadow of your moon

For I am nothing in this world but yours

Speak to me not of right and wrong, for they cease to exist

It is your face I see, your voice that lingers in my ears

Burning, taunting, filling an insatiable need

The agony of absence, drawn by the well of loneliness

But I am never alone, for you are there

An apple fallen from the tree of Eden

My hunger, my thirst, my love . . .

Lay me beside you in the shadows, your breath upon my face

Whisper to me all that you would do, sweet decadence

A torture so exquisitely fine even Monet could not capture

The torch that blazes between you and I

The world revolves, the clock moves forward, and I let it go

For time and life both cease to exist without you to fill them

You fill the hollow cracks of my soul

A circle unending connects what no man has joined

A bond sealed by no lips but yours and mine

Take this bleeding heart and know that it is yours

An open testament of all that is and will be

And I will lie forever in the darkness

Spellbound and waiting--- eternally yearning

For your dreams and mine and all that is you

Adriana Noir ~ 2010