I once heard that all comedy comes from a dark place. Is it the same with writing? Sure, some people write for the love of it. Some write because they have that compulsion. They can’t live without the creative release valve. Much of what is on the market now is dark paranormal romance and romantic suspense. What compels writers to write such dark material? And what makes readers come back for more? Is it simple escapism or something deeper?
I didn’t ponder this question overmuch until I began writing my second historical romance last spring. In March 2010, my life was going through some changes and it seemed that none of them were good. My family was in turmoil, I was unhealthier than I had ever been in my life, and it seemed like my mental stability was hanging by a thread. On top of it all, I lost my daytime job and my trusty computer kicked the bucket and nearly took a year’s worth of writing files with it. While a computer specialist was recovering all that work off the old hard drive, my parents leant me an old desktop that I could work on in the meantime. Despite the fact that I was in the midst of another manuscript when my computer crashed, I started fresh with a new document and unloaded the only way I knew how.
The Regency historical was unplanned, as were its angst-ridden characters who I grew to care for more strongly than any other character I’d created before. The heroine in particular, with her devastating bouts of anxiety, I felt akin to. The story itself, though not paranormal or suspenseful, explored a dark place I hadn’t known was there to delve. Until that point, I thought I wrote for simple escapism. This Regency proved that sometimes writing comes from a place much more personal than that. It almost seemed like the manuscript was validation; a way for me to put the darkness inside me into perspective and to use it in a constructive way.
This manuscript is only half completed, but I still feel the importance of giving the story, the characters and even that part of my life closure despite the fact that my reality has improved much in fifteen months. Whether it ever hits the shelves or not, it will always serve as somewhat of a talisman. In fact, I’m as proud of it as I am of my first manuscript, Forever Amore!
Readers, it’s your turn to sound off. How much of what you read is dark material and why are you drawn to it? (Plus, fans of dark paranormal romance or dark romantic suspense, feel free to shout out your favorite titles!)
I didn’t ponder this question overmuch until I began writing my second historical romance last spring. In March 2010, my life was going through some changes and it seemed that none of them were good. My family was in turmoil, I was unhealthier than I had ever been in my life, and it seemed like my mental stability was hanging by a thread. On top of it all, I lost my daytime job and my trusty computer kicked the bucket and nearly took a year’s worth of writing files with it. While a computer specialist was recovering all that work off the old hard drive, my parents leant me an old desktop that I could work on in the meantime. Despite the fact that I was in the midst of another manuscript when my computer crashed, I started fresh with a new document and unloaded the only way I knew how.
The Regency historical was unplanned, as were its angst-ridden characters who I grew to care for more strongly than any other character I’d created before. The heroine in particular, with her devastating bouts of anxiety, I felt akin to. The story itself, though not paranormal or suspenseful, explored a dark place I hadn’t known was there to delve. Until that point, I thought I wrote for simple escapism. This Regency proved that sometimes writing comes from a place much more personal than that. It almost seemed like the manuscript was validation; a way for me to put the darkness inside me into perspective and to use it in a constructive way.
This manuscript is only half completed, but I still feel the importance of giving the story, the characters and even that part of my life closure despite the fact that my reality has improved much in fifteen months. Whether it ever hits the shelves or not, it will always serve as somewhat of a talisman. In fact, I’m as proud of it as I am of my first manuscript, Forever Amore!
Readers, it’s your turn to sound off. How much of what you read is dark material and why are you drawn to it? (Plus, fans of dark paranormal romance or dark romantic suspense, feel free to shout out your favorite titles!)
