I HATE BOOKS ABOUT VAMPIRES/WEREWOLVES FALLING IN LOVE
Ok, if you’ve made it this far it probably means that you are divided into two camps: 1- you agree with me or 2- you disagree with me and you would like to bash my brain in. Well, hopefully nobody will go that far; I mean, after all, no person should be berated for honestly voicing his/her opinion. So, let’s jump right into it shall we?
The reason why I vehemently despise books about Vampires/Werewolves falling in love is because I think that a lot of Authors these days are going that route because they feel it’s what’s “HOT” right now and quite simply put, they want to “strike” while the iron is hot. With that being said, what that means to readers like you and me, is that they are not choosing to write in that specific genre for the right reasons. In a way it’s like they are taking the easy way out. I mean right now everybody and their mom is writing a Vampire/Werewolf type novel. Unfortunately, these types of tales have now turned into the “Get Rich Quick Scheme” of the writing world. So if you know anything at all about simple economics, you would know that when supply exceeds demand it is also known as surplus, which can lead to inundation in this type of market. I predict that within a year, people are going to be so sick and tired of these types of novels that they are going to flock to read almost anything else but that.
Remember, trends are fickle; case in point, many years ago, when I was a teenager I actually thought that the FAT BOYs and VANILLA ICE were the best things since sliced bread. WOW, REALLY!!! Today I can’t even believe that I would be willing to admit that, it’s just soooo embarrassing.
Listen, it’s understandable that Stephenie Meyer would inspire a generation to write; but come on, there can only be so many of the type before it becomes watered down. And right now, the story is being hammered to death. I personally know a writer in this genre, and when he told me about his book, he assured me that his take on the story was different, these were his actual words: “My book is like the Titanic meets Dracula.” Does he even know how terribly bad that story line sounds?
Here’s my view on it: If you’re a writer, then you should write what you are most passionate about. Because if you are simply looking for a short cut to the proverbial “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow, then, what that says about you, is that you prepare for sprints, not marathons. And quite simply put, it does not make for a good, long-run, formula in your pursuit of financial stability through the promotion of intellectual property.
MESSAGE TO YOU: if you want my money, first you have to win my heart!!!
Ivan King books on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-of-Steel-ebook/dp/B0052MGGBS/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-of-Steel-ebook/dp/B0052MGGBS/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
Amen! I took a walk around Barnes and Noble YA section the other day, and all I saw was vampire-type romances. I have an issue with these for the simple fact that they seem to send the message to girls that it's ok to be with someone even if they're dangerous or potentially violent (most people think I'm being ridiculous, but THINK about it). But aside from that, I completely agree that the insane influx of these types of books is making the whole YA paranormal genre seem silly.
ReplyDeleteWell, Ivan, I have to come from the other side. Believe me, the vampire books I have read are not for the YA age group. I happen to absolutely love vampires and I am about that age:-) Yep , about that age. I will say no more except I am old enough to have been around the block a few times. When I look at a vampire, I see sex, danger, romance, bad boy, the adjectives go on; but you get the idea. Will I grow tired of them Maybe: but rest assured my hubby hopes not any time soon.For me, I like my own little piece of non-reality and you better believe it includes vampires and romance.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of the romance genre myself but I don't mind the odd supernatural thriller. I read Dracula during my teens and "Carnacki, The Ghost Finder" by William Hope Hodgson last year and enjoyed them both. I hated "Interview with a Vampire" by Anne Rice. I admit, I did read "Twilight" just to see what all the fuss was about, and yes, it is complete tripe, but there are one or two writers out there that can spin a good yarn. I can think of one Indie writer I know who writes paranormal romances that I can actually read because her writing style is intelligent enough to attract readers like me, who can't stand romantic fiction...I can switch off from it and still have enough of a book to focus on. I'm someone who usually prefers to read crime novels and thrillers, especially novels written by Scandinavian authors, so paranormal fiction adds a little variety to my literary diet :)
ReplyDeleteMy latest novel is a werewolf adventure, but it is nowhere the paranormal romance type of story you're inveighing about here. Werewolves are monsters, pure and simple, and my story treats them as such. It's more about curses, the people who are cursed to become monsters, and the people who are cursed to kill monsters knowing that they're people. Plus it takes place on a haunted lunar colony.
ReplyDeleteOk. I can honestly say that I'm a split down the middle on this. For one, I agree everyone is hoping on the Meyers/Twilight band wagon and trying to pretty much mimic the story that she told just from different angles. IE: The werewolf gets the girl. For me when I go for YA fiction I look for something that has nothing to do with a love triangle or a romance at all the last two YA books I read were The Monstrumologist and The Poisoned House. They were borderline horror/YA for me and I was so glad to see authors that write YA NOT write about a totally inappropriate love triangle that just makes teens act more angsty.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm a total SLUT, yes I said SLUT for paranormal romance/erotica/or horror books that have vampires or werewolves. I write 'those' kinds of books but for adults not children or teens. I have been writing about vampires since I was 13 years old and I first stumbled into a yahoo chat room labelled 'roleplay'. Since then it has always been 'my thing'. Now, I find werewolves much more sexy.
So I get your point from your angle. I have friends that laugh at me when I say I write erotica/genre fiction. Like I'm 'not serious' I'm sorry but to sit down and pen a book in general is serious no matter what you are writing about. That is time and effort and for some of us blood, sweat, and tears.
I haven't even read an Anne Rice book, so if I did jump into that genre, I would start with her, and probably move on, long before I got to the wave of dreck you mention.
ReplyDeleteYour point is a good one. Write a good story, in a genre, in which the writer is interested, and the results will be a much better tale.
Hello Ivan, I am following via Book Blogger Hop.
ReplyDeleteMy anwser to the blog hop question.
I started reading a book the last month and it was suppose to be a very good book. But after giving it a couple of chapters I just couldn’t get into it. I put the book aside to read another day. I don’t like to do that because I feel as if my mind might have had too many distractions and I didn’t give the book a chance. So I always try to wait for another day to give it another go. I have so many other books calling to me from my to-be-read list that it can really be distracting. READ ME! READ ME!
I prefer reading and reviewing Christian Fiction but I do read a varity of other books. I just can’t handle too scary or gory. Suspense and Mysteries I like. No explicit adult books either if I do find one I really want to read I just skip over the x-rated stuff. So what genre do I read?
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