And which ones are you just tired of seeing?
As I try to break into the paranormal market with MORCAH (and consider reclassifying ELEMENTAL), I wonder what all you dear readers are looking for.
What makes a paranormal unique? And what makes them intriguing?
I ask this because I think I've come up with a pretty unique take on a paranormal in MORCAH, but I wonder if it will be enough, or if she really is unique. I'll be honest and say I haven't even begun to skim the surface of all YA literature out there. I feel like I've read so much, but I know that just isn't the case.
So, what are you guys looking for? You tell me. :D
i'm interested in hearing these replies as well.
ReplyDeleteall i have to say is that there will always be an audience for each kind of paranormal- because paranormals thrive in literature because people relate so deeply to what they represent. there will always be people who worry if giving into their desires will turn them into a monster (vampires) or that there is this uncontrollable beast inside them that is always lashing out at others (werewolves), or that the mundane aspects of life are bleeding the humanity out of them (zombies)... etc. each paranormals prevails in literature, not completely out of nuances of writing, but because of the nature(s) of the beasts and humanity.
what is trending?
what is flooding the market?
what people are tired of?
i don't know.
but, i DO know that people are always interested in fresh takes on archetypes! :)
I love the more realistic paranormal & fantasy. I prefer real stories, with real characters that have a decidely otherwordly twist. But I think any paranormal/fantasy will always continue to thrive because we all have our different likes.
ReplyDeleteI don't care how many stories are out there I won't, personally, grow tired of vampires, because I enjoy them. Given the abundance of stories on the market though you have to really bring it to separate yourself from the pack.
I don't know what Morcah is about, so I can't really tell you if it would appeal to me...but I think as long as you write was is genuine to you, it'll all work out.
To be honest, I don't read a lot of paranormals, YA or otherwise. However, I do like ghost!paranormals, if done well, and paranormals that are sufficiently different. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what MORCAH is about, but I think what's important is that you love it. :)
Hmm, I don't read a lot of paranormals either (big help, huh?). Agents/editors ARE looking for a unique twist because there's a lot of paranormal on the market; it has to stand out. Whether the idea is fresh or whether you've WRITTEN it fresh is another matter. I think sometimes the idea can be only slightly diff from the pack, but if the voice is so vibrant the reader can't put the story down, it'll still be a go. I haven't read your story except for the excerpt you posted. If it's just that your albino MC has special powers, that might not be so new. Sorta depends on what she can do, I suppose...
ReplyDeletePS, tho I don't read paranormal, I know what I'm sick and tired of hearing about--the paranormal romance, where girl falls in love with vampire/faery king/fallen angel/werewolf/shapeshifter/demon/insert-name-of-otherworldly-being-here.
ReplyDeleteIt's the characters that draw me into any story. The paranormal aspect may be there in lots of different forms (vampires/werewolves/special powers/mythology/etc) but if the characters are not interesting and easy to connect with then I'm not interested.
ReplyDeleteI'll read anything with cool characters in it.
Jai
To me it doesn't matter if it's vampires or werewolves or mermaids. I just want the writing to be awesome, and the story to feel fresh. If that takes a vampire, no problem with me. I know, I'm not much help.
ReplyDeleteMy NaNo novel is a sort of paranormal story. There are mediums, psychics, magic users, fae, and reincarnated heroes of history. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure I have a paranormal story that I prefer over the other. I never realized what paranormal YA was until I started this blog in January, so I'm still learning all about dystopian novels and paranormal novels.
ReplyDeleteI really just enjoy a good read, more romance, more fantasy... and you had me at page one.
I actually hate the word "paranormal". But then, I don't like "supernatural", either.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the literature itself, I'm kind of a purist. Good guy vampires, werewolves, etc. are acceptable, but I kinda like my monsters to be monsters.
I'm old-school: you will never find a better vampire book than Dracula, and Frankenstein is one of my all-time favorite novels.
That being said, I'm with Elana: if the writing's good and the story is well-constructed, I'm in.
I'm not really sure exactly what constitutes "paranormal" fiction. I'm more of a fantasy reader. But what I do find that I enjoy is books that present fresh new ways that the modern world and the world of the "supernatural" exist side by side. Such as the Prospero Lost and Prospero in Hell books by L. Jagi Lamplighter. My husband has been raving about the Harry Dresden books lately and finally got me to give them a try and I'm finding I enjoy them as well. Stories that focus on just Vampires or Werewolves or whatnot would not appeal to me. But the interplay between "our world" and the world of the supernatural can be fascinating.
ReplyDeleteSubcreator--Yeah, I'm not a huge vampire or werewolf fan myself. I enjoyed those types of stories at the beginning of the fad, but there are just too many out there now. I'm more interested in elves, fairies, trolls, dragons, etc. in modern times. That's basically what paranormal fiction is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, and I'll have to check out those books!
And thanks to everyone else! Boy, you guys have got me thinking. :D