My first guest for 2008 is Cindy Spencer Pape, author of several novels for Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen Press and The Wild Rose Press. Cindy Spencer Pape has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, though she swears she got better. She does volunteer work in environmental education, when she can fit it in around writing. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two teenage sons, a dog, a lizard, and various other small creatures, all of which are easier to clean up after than the three male humans. Her most recent release is Djinni and the Geek from Ellora’s Cave. (Those who attended my birthday bash during December might remember me mentioning Cindy’s book in my post on genies.)
Cindy is discussing paranormal romance and why she loves writing it so much. She’s also giving away a download of Djinni and the Geek. All you need to do to go into the draw is comment on this post. Why do you like reading paranormal romance? If you’re a writer and write paranormal romance, why do you enjoy writing it? And if (gasp!) you hate paranormal romance and don’t “get” it - why? Cindy will be drawing the winner on 4 Jan so make sure you pop back to check to see if you’re the winner.
First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! Secondly, thanks so much to Shelley for inviting me to stop by. It’s always fun to visit somewhere new, and it’s a treat to be her first guest of 2008.
I sit here looking outside at over a foot of snow that accumulated in the last 24 hours. It’s still snowing, but very lightly now. Dusk is just falling, painting the entire world in shades of indigo and brown/black. It’s very pretty from here, but not so pretty when you’re outside shoveling it or driving through it. The kids have their fingers crossed that the weather may grant them one extra day of their Christmas break. I have mine crossed hoping that they’ll have school in the morning. I am sooooo ready to have the house to myself to write again!
Since I’m writing this on New Year’s Day, I feel like I should write a blog about New Year’s Resolutions, or a wrap up of 2007, or my plans for 2008. None of those appeal at the moment, however, so how about something completely different?
Someone asked me once why I choose to write paranormal romance. I had to stop and think about it. Honestly, from the moment I decided to give writing a try, I knew that was the genre for me. I started reading romances early. By fourth grade I was sneaking the original Harlequin Romances into my desk, reading them when I was bored in class. In high school, I graduated to the first of the steamier (by 70’s standards) historical romances: Kathleen Woodiwiss and Roberta Gellis, along with romantic suspense by Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters), and gothics by Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. I realize now that several of these authors were quietly introducing paranormal elements into the romance genre, paving the way without saying a word.
In college I fell prey to the idea that romance was for the less-than-intellectual crowd. I stopped reading romance and stopped, except for the occasional book by an old favorite. I dove headfirst into science fiction and fantasy, which, in retrospect was probably a good thing. It gave me a much broader picture of fiction, and introduced me to so many new ideas. I’m still a huge fan of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Robert Parker. Jim Butcher is a new favorite, so you can see I never quite gave up my fondness for fantasy.
Nonetheless, I eventually began to miss romance. And yeah, sex, in my reading. By the time I decided that I didn’t care what others thought of what I read, the genre of paranormal romance had truly emerged, and I was utterly hooked. Finally books with fantasy, romance and sex all rolled together. Now I knew why I’d been waiting to write. I finally had a niche. As romances became hotter and hotter, I began to write more and more, finally selling in 2006, with my first release in November of that year. In 2007 I had seven more releases and I have three more contracted so far for 2008. Some are erotic, some aren’t quite, and some have minimal paranormal elements while others are pure romantic fantasy. But every single one so far has some degree of romance, sex, and something supernatural. Seems like I’ve found my place.
But back to the question of why paranormal romance? A bunch of answers came to mind, some more thoughtful and intellectual than others. But you know what it finally came down to?
It’s fun.
I write romance because I have a huge thing for happy-ever-afters. Are they realistic? Sort of. I strongly believe in happy marriages, having been in one for 22 years. But I don’t expect to encounter a dragon on the streets of southern Michigan, or a werewolf in the Upper Peninsula.
But wouldn’t it be cool if I did?
I write about paranormal beings because they make me smile. And I hope that when you read my books, they make you smile a little too. Because really, that’s the whole point, at least for me. So if you get a chance to kick back with one of my books, let your imagination loose and have a good time. Life can be hard. Fiction should be fun.
I’d love to hear your feedback, so I’m offering a bribe. On Friday, January 4th I’ll draw one name from all those who comment to receive a free download of Djinni and the Geek, out now from Ellora’s Cave.
I wish every one of you a safe and happy 2008. Thanks so much for stopping by, and thanks again to Shelley, my gracious hostess. Goodnight!
If you’d like to visit Cindy you’ll find her at one of the following places:
Links:
Website:
Myspace:
Newsletter Group:
Blog: Goddesses of Storytelling:
Group: Novel Sisterhood:
Yahoo Group: Novel Sisterhood:
Blog: Novel Sisterhood:
Hi Cindy! Happy New Year!
Having recently read Dragon in the System (great!) and bits of Djinni and the Geek as a WIP I can’t wait to see what happens next!
And I agree with you - fiction should be fun. Here’s wishing you a productive and fun new year!
by Jenyfer Matthews January 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 amThanks for being here sharing with us, Cindy. :D I love hearing from people who love paranormal romances as much as I do. Heh! BTW, I sent you a friend request at MySpace.
by Tempest Knight January 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 amSnow huh???? From Texas, that sounds WONDERFUL but I’m sure it get verrrry old. I love paranormal. I imagine I would stink at writing it so I’m envious. You do it sooo well. I’m really anxious to read Djinni and the Geek…sounds like a fun story and you do humor so well. I was caught by your early reading choices. I loooooved Kathleen Woodiwiss and wore out several copies of The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove. I was so hooked.
by Rita Thedford January 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 amHi Cindy!!! Happy New Year …I havent’ read any of your books yet but next time I am in a book store (which is about 3 times a week) I will look for them…..
Donna
by Donna January 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 amHey Cindy!!
You do us froggies proud. I connected with your early embarassment of reading romances. I used to smuggle them beneath other books to the counter when I purchased them, so no one would happen to see what I was reading by choice. Now I’m proud… but then if would be pretty awful to write romances and be embarassed about it.
Good bloggin’ sweetie.
by Kelly Kirch January 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 amI love reading paranormals. They are fun.
And I agree about the what if…… no they aren’t real but it can open a lot more doors in the story. 
by Larena Wirum January 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 amI love this cover! I love your work keep em coming
by tina brunelle January 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 amI love the possibilities with paranormal storylines. There is no right or wrong creatures to write about, the story goes where ever your imagination takes you, and I love that. My absolute favorite books always add a dash of humor to the mix, so your stories definitely fit the bill.
Happy New Year, Cindy.
by Cathy M January 2nd, 2008 at 10:48 amHey cindy,
by Judith Rochelle/Desiree Holt January 2nd, 2008 at 10:52 amyou know I’m your Number One fan. I was never that big on paranormal until I started reading your books, but you made the world come alive for me. Now I find it creeping into so much that I write. And I love, love, love your cowboy series. Still my favorite night time reading. Hope you have a wonderful, happy new year, and I wish you mega sales
Hi Cindy
by Judith Rochelle/Desiree Holt January 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 amYou know I;m your Number One fan. And I’m so in love with both your paranormals and your cowboys, which are still my favroite night time reading. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Hi Cindy!
I love paranormal romance and did so before it was fashionable when I had to really search for it. The woo-woo factor was hidden deeply and hardly ever mentioned in the blurb. I like to think there’s a little magic everywhere and have to agree about the “fun” factor. Paranormal romance is fun. I love to write it. I love to read it.
Happy New Year!
by Shelley Munro January 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pmHi Cindy
Good to see you survived our New Year blizzard! See you soon. Cheryl
by Cheryl Smith January 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pmI haven’t read any of your books yet. I will be looking for them now.
by Estella January 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 pmParanormals are what got me back into reading. They are fun because they can go in so many differant directions. Even with all the vampire and werewolf stories out there, there are still differances to set them all apart.
by Laura J January 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pmHi Cindy! Great Blog!
by Renee Uitto January 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hey, CINDY!!! Great stuff … and so happy for you! Just thought I’d show support for my fellow novel Sisterhood friend! hugs, luv ya, Rita Karnopp
by Rita Karnopp January 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pmI love paranormal romance because it is such a fun genre to read. There is so much variety in this genre and it is great to escape into to avoid the real world for a little while.
by Cherie J January 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pmThanks everyone! And just so you know, only a few bookstores are carrying my Wild Rose Press books and I’m not in print until spring with Ellora’s Cave. So for now, the best place to buy my books is from the publishers’ web sites!
by Cindy Spencer Pape January 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 pmHey Cindy, sorry it took me so long to get here! But I made it! I would love to see a werewolve on the street here in Michigan. Would make my day! Love the cover for Djinni and the Geek!
by Patti Shenberger January 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pmPatti
I’ve always loved romances, scifi and fantasy and was always wishing they could be combined and everytime I found one that was a little bit of all of them I was in heaven. And now that there is lots of this combo books i never lack for something to read. I hope that authors never combining these genres.
by Pamk January 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pmHappy New Year, Cindy! I love the sound of your book and will be checking it out shortly. I love genies!
by Christine d'Abo January 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pmHi Cindy, great blog! I read an excerpt of Dragon in the System and can’t wait to read your other stories.
by Maryanne January 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 amI’ve loved paranormal romance for a number of years now. For me, I got tired of the ordinary, the paranormal adds a bit more spice to life. Vampires and werewolves are my favorites but I like about everything paranormal.
by Lynn Kitchene January 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 pmFirst, I enjoy paranormal romance as I also read horror, SF and Fantasy. But I also write it. Why? because it is something I can do well, as i know the subject. I love seeing how far I can go with my heroes and heroines. Will my readers read the book or story? So, far–yep. There’s somethin about writing a dangerous side to romance and sex.
by Sapphire Phelan January 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pmAND THE WINNER IS…
Post number 12–Renee Uitto!
Thanks to everyone for the great comments, and to Shelley especially for having me here.
Renee, please contact me to let me know what format you’d like your prize in. cindy@cindyspencerpape.com
by Cindy Spencer Pape January 4th, 2008 at 8:48 amCongratulations, Renee. I’m sure you’ll love Cindy’s book.
Thanks so much, Cindy! I hope you’ll visit us again.
by Shelley Munro January 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm