The Call – Paranormal Style
by Marcia Colette
I love “The Call” stories. In fact, they’re pretty much an addiction at this point. Every Friday, I tune into Dear Author’s My First Sale stories because I like to read about the successes. There is enough doom and gloom on the road to publication, so it’s nice to see that someone has made it.
So, I’ve decided to do my own take on “The Call”, only this is one where everyone can participate, both readers and authors alike. I want to know when you received your call to the paranormal or your favorite genre if it’s not paranormal. What made you sit up and say, “Wow! Is there more of this stuff out there?”
My paranormal “call” came when my mother took my brother and me to see Dracula with Frank Langella. And before you ask, I was too young to see an R-rated movie, although there’s a huge difference between the R-rated ones now and back then. Besides, Mom couldn’t afford a babysitter and she had her heart set on seeing this movie. ;)
Anyway, I can’t really recall if I loved the movie or not because I think I spent most of the time with my hands covering my eyes. However, I saw enough to awaken my fascination with the supernatural. I thought that Frank guy was okay as Dracula, while my mother and aunt pretty much salivated over his accent and delicious charms. I thought it was rather cool with how much he loved that pretty, fragile woman enough to bring her back from the dead. Although, she sure could have used a tan because her skin was little too pasty and sickly for me. ;) Oh, and I had a crush on the courageous and gorgeous Jonathan Harker, played by Trevor Eve. Now, he was a man who sneaked a blush or giggle out of toddler me.
It took me a few years to realize Dracula was a vampire. I didn’t know what to called him other than the Caped Man Who Liked to Eat People’s Necks. Still, that movie opened up a new world. Granted, it was horror, but it fueled my excitement for the paranormal and this exotic, sometimes scary world that existed beyond the mundane. I write anything from paranormal romance to urban/dark fantasy to horror. Or as I like to call it, adult-size fairy tales. ;)
But despite the dark and creepy aspects of Dracula, it also taught me something very practical that holds true to this day. People will go to any lengths for their loved ones when their lives are in danger. Even as a kid, I was enraptured by the romantic aspects of the story and understood the importance of that in adult lives.
So how about you? What was the first movie or book that called you to the paranormal (or your genre of choice) and why?
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For more on Marcia and her upcoming releases, visit her website: http://www.marciacolette.com/
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Do fairy tales count? Isn’t Puss N Boots paranormal? A talking cat? (Although mine talks all the time. I just don’t understand her.) What about fairies and magic godmothers and elves? Maybe that’s fantasy, but it’s in the same realm as paranormal. They’re neighbors! Since my mother read fairy tales to me, that means I was hooked as a toddler.
Cool post, Marcia. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the “real” Dracula movie. But I LOVED Interview with a Vampire. That’s when I found my instinctive love for the things that go bump in the night. It was awesome to watch Buffy too, though. I loved the romance between her and Angel…then they screwed it up and put her with others. Oh, well. The shows over now, so no use in crying over spilled milk. But I’m always watching out for new vampire shows. And I found one in Moonlight. Then they went and canceled it.
Anywho, I’d say my “call” came when I was about 14. I enjoyed the strange and unusual then. I love it now. ;-)
Hi Edie! And yes, I’d be willing to count Puss N Boots. After all, I got my start with fairytales there, too. ;)
Given the market today, I think it’s very fair to count any thing out of the ordinary as paranormal.
Hi Alyson! Girlfriend, you’re a woman after my own heart!! I LOVED Interview! It opened my eyes to Ann Rice’s book. For the longest time, I thought they were a bunch of fluff, but boy was I in for a surprise. I *heart* both Buffy and Angel. :-) It also broke my heart to pieces when they cancelled Moonlight. I swear, if CBS drops The Ghost Whisperer, I’ll drop their station all together.
Hi, all!
I’ve been writing all day (well, and cleaning house) so I haven’t had a chance to get online before now. But I was immediately drawn into this post to see what everyone was saying about their “call” to the paranormal side.
Oh, and I loved Interview with a Vampire! And not just because Brad Pitt is such a hunk! In fact, when I went to New Orleans I was so into the idea of finding Anne Rice’s house and checking out the cemetery close to her house so I could see if it was the same one used in the movie. ;-)
Marcia, I too loved Buffy but sadly, I couldn’t get into Angel. I enjoyed the dynamic between him and Buffy so it was hard to see him with others. And I’ve just started into The Ghost Whisperer, but I don’t know if it will hold my interest for long with the loss of the husband like that week before last.
Well, off to work a bit more before bed.
BUFFY! :D
I’m a crazy Buffy fangirl. Watched it over and over. Read fanfic like a maniac. Then I needed more and found paranormal romance.
Great post! I’ve always been interested in the paranormal, but I was kinda chicken to write about it. I’m not really sure why, but one day I decided to write that crazy story about a haunted house, and it became my first sale–Shadows of Evil. My call to the paranormal led to my Call. Guess I just had to let out my wild side.
Excuse me while I go howl at the moon. ;)
Interesting idea about the ‘reader’ type call. I don’t think I’ve ever had one, but I try just about all books from mainstream fiction to thrillers to romance. The only kind I won’t read are the erotic type with abuse or bondage.