Angela Addams's Blog, page 19
October 12, 2011
Buffy vs. Edward
So I was having this conversation today about the role of the slayer in vampire mythology (don’t ask – many of my daily conversations end up supernaturally related) and the conversation took a turn when I started to speculate on what would happen if Buffy came out of nowhere and slayed our sparkly, romantic Edward. It was very entertaining as a visualization, let me tell you!
Anyway, during this conversation we were discussing the role of the hero and whether or not it pays to put the effort into being one. It takes a lot of work to become the hero, not only is there physical training, but you must also learn the information (folklore usually) you need to defeat the villain, as well, it usually involves some kind of emotional gutting – losing one’s family or friends, physical pain and injury, etc. We were also talking about whether or not the hero is truly good – is it black and white any more or are we okay with a villain who can sometimes be good and a hero who can sometimes be evil? I mean, the hero has to have an element of evil in them to be able to murder/destroy another creature even if that creature is inherently evil.
So back to my fantasy. If, for all intents and purposes, Buffy is considered the hero as the slayer, you know, using her powers to kill those nasty, evil vampires – then what would happen if she slayed someone in the vampire race whom we consider a hero also? What if she killed him purely because she sensed a vampire and, as it is her duty to slay them, does so without asking any questions or getting any background information first? What about Blade for that matter? He wouldn’t give a crap about Edward's motives or lifestyle – vampire = dead in his world. So does the slayer then turn into the villain?
Personally I would say no – but I’m partial to the fantasy of beheading Edward - what do you all think? If Buffy or Blade beheaded a beloved vampire character because they were acting on their own slayer instinct, would you demonize them for it?
Anyway, during this conversation we were discussing the role of the hero and whether or not it pays to put the effort into being one. It takes a lot of work to become the hero, not only is there physical training, but you must also learn the information (folklore usually) you need to defeat the villain, as well, it usually involves some kind of emotional gutting – losing one’s family or friends, physical pain and injury, etc. We were also talking about whether or not the hero is truly good – is it black and white any more or are we okay with a villain who can sometimes be good and a hero who can sometimes be evil? I mean, the hero has to have an element of evil in them to be able to murder/destroy another creature even if that creature is inherently evil.
So back to my fantasy. If, for all intents and purposes, Buffy is considered the hero as the slayer, you know, using her powers to kill those nasty, evil vampires – then what would happen if she slayed someone in the vampire race whom we consider a hero also? What if she killed him purely because she sensed a vampire and, as it is her duty to slay them, does so without asking any questions or getting any background information first? What about Blade for that matter? He wouldn’t give a crap about Edward's motives or lifestyle – vampire = dead in his world. So does the slayer then turn into the villain?
Personally I would say no – but I’m partial to the fantasy of beheading Edward - what do you all think? If Buffy or Blade beheaded a beloved vampire character because they were acting on their own slayer instinct, would you demonize them for it?
September 21, 2011
Are Vampires Dead?
Okay, so I know technically vampires are "dead", that's not what I mean. I'm referring to whether or not vampire fiction is dead.
I have two views on this. On the one hand, as a writer, I can kind of see the point that there are a lot of authors writing about vampire characters. There are a lot of established writers (writing in other genres) who have made the jump into paranormal fiction and entered it with vampires blazing, so to speak. When I'm working on something new I try to stay away from the vampires - although they do sometimes make an appearance in the periphery.
On the other hand, as a reader, I can't seem to get enough of my vampire romances! I just finished reading Jennifer Armintrout's, American Vampire and loved it! I say keep them coming - I'll never tire of vampires - haven't in over twenty years!
So what do you all think, are vampires dead or not? Do you have an insatiable thirst for them as I do or are you all full up?
I have two views on this. On the one hand, as a writer, I can kind of see the point that there are a lot of authors writing about vampire characters. There are a lot of established writers (writing in other genres) who have made the jump into paranormal fiction and entered it with vampires blazing, so to speak. When I'm working on something new I try to stay away from the vampires - although they do sometimes make an appearance in the periphery.
On the other hand, as a reader, I can't seem to get enough of my vampire romances! I just finished reading Jennifer Armintrout's, American Vampire and loved it! I say keep them coming - I'll never tire of vampires - haven't in over twenty years!
So what do you all think, are vampires dead or not? Do you have an insatiable thirst for them as I do or are you all full up?
August 18, 2011
Guilty Pleasures
Okay, okay, so I'm not talking about all the freakin' romance that I read, or the copious amounts of chocolate that I ingest...I'm talking about the guilty pleasures that could be considered a personality flaw.
I have this problem...I love...and I mean love...all forms of confrontation...I get so excited when I know a fight (verbal usually) is about to happen. So much so that my heart pumps harder and I get so giddy...even better when I'm the one doing the confronting or when someone works up the nerve to confront me. A good friend told me the other day that I get this look in my eyes that scares the poop right out of her.
It works for me at my job...which I'm still not going to tell you about (pen name and all) - I've been told that I can be intimidating...which is very effective in managing all kinds of people. It's a descriptor that I've been labelled with from the time that I was a teen (although then I think it had more to do with wearing all black and sporting many tattoos= goth to the extreme).
The funny thing is that I don't get angry...just excited...and I don't lash out at people, ever, I'm not an attacker...I just don't like to see injustice done and will fight for the underdog (or encourage them to do it for themselves). I also don't like incompetence and would rather a job done right, with dignity and honor. I expect people to be honest with me too and call me on stuff when I need to be checked.
But if you attack me...well, I come out swinging...and if it's bad enough...I will go for the throat.
Now, when I was talking to a colleague this week about it, she told me that it's not that I'm scary or mean (because I'm not) it's that I'm honest with people and don't usually sugar-coat problems. I call it as I see it. I don't like bs - be straight with me, no matter what it is you have to say. How else can I change or grow as a person if I don't know what the problems are?
So does this make me a bad person? If so, does it mean my friends and I are all bad people? (I tend to surround myself with like-minded folks) What's the general consensus....do you prefer the truth or would you rather be told everything is fine when it's not?
I have this problem...I love...and I mean love...all forms of confrontation...I get so excited when I know a fight (verbal usually) is about to happen. So much so that my heart pumps harder and I get so giddy...even better when I'm the one doing the confronting or when someone works up the nerve to confront me. A good friend told me the other day that I get this look in my eyes that scares the poop right out of her.
It works for me at my job...which I'm still not going to tell you about (pen name and all) - I've been told that I can be intimidating...which is very effective in managing all kinds of people. It's a descriptor that I've been labelled with from the time that I was a teen (although then I think it had more to do with wearing all black and sporting many tattoos= goth to the extreme).
The funny thing is that I don't get angry...just excited...and I don't lash out at people, ever, I'm not an attacker...I just don't like to see injustice done and will fight for the underdog (or encourage them to do it for themselves). I also don't like incompetence and would rather a job done right, with dignity and honor. I expect people to be honest with me too and call me on stuff when I need to be checked.
But if you attack me...well, I come out swinging...and if it's bad enough...I will go for the throat.
Now, when I was talking to a colleague this week about it, she told me that it's not that I'm scary or mean (because I'm not) it's that I'm honest with people and don't usually sugar-coat problems. I call it as I see it. I don't like bs - be straight with me, no matter what it is you have to say. How else can I change or grow as a person if I don't know what the problems are?
So does this make me a bad person? If so, does it mean my friends and I are all bad people? (I tend to surround myself with like-minded folks) What's the general consensus....do you prefer the truth or would you rather be told everything is fine when it's not?
August 12, 2011
Great Love Affairs
Since I've been working on an old ms lately, a paranormal romance that I wrote last year, I've been thinking a lot about all of those memorable hook-ups between hero and heroine that have inspired me and my writing. I thought I'd make a list of the top 5 great love affairs in the world of fiction.
1) Mr.Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet: Truly amazing union and really one of the most inspirational love affairs that I've ever read. I don't know if it's because of the long chase, the misunderstandings, the covert heroism, the pride or the prejudice (sorry, I couldn't resist), but this is one of those pairings that always comes to mind when I think about sweet romance to the extreme.
2) Wrath and Beth: For all you BDB/J.R.Ward fans, these two really heat up the page with their passionate love affair. Wrath is the typical brooding, badass vampire warrior and Beth is a take no crap kind of girl who seems to be perfect for him. They come together in a gripping instant attraction kind of way and stand by one another even in the worst of times. This couple is one of those ones who make me want to reread the series (or at least their books), especially for those torrid love scenes - wink, wink!
3) Raphael and Cyn: For those of you who haven't read any of D.B. Reynolds books...what the hell is wrong with you? Her first in a series of 8 (I believe) titled Raphael, introduces us to the amazing world of vampire lords and the humans who love, serve, protect them. These two have their issues, as strong willed characters would, but their passion is explosive and their love is eternal. I love how these two come from such independence and strength (sometimes stubborn to the point of personal injury) and work to mold together into a cohesive pair. Definitely ranking with the best of the romantic leads out there.
4) Elena and Clay: Okay, Kelley Armstrong fans out there - these two are one of my favourite couples, even if they aren't vampires ;-) Both bitten werewolves, they each bring their own kind of stubborn strength and electricity to the relationship. Again, it's not all sunshine and roses for these two, but that's part of the allure, I think. What really builds this relationship up for me is that they know each other so well - their connection really translates onto the page in a very realistic way. They might not always get along, but that's what makes their love affair so great.
5) Mac and Barrons: Now some might think that these two were never meant to be together and Moning definitely made us work for it when she started this couple down their path to hell, but in the end their love affair was totally combustible...hot, hot, hot! But not only that, because of everything they go through together, there is also a strong connection that makes their unspoken love for one another so believable. They change (or at least Mac does, Barrons kind of "modifies") and grow in order to envelop one another in this solid unity where you just know they've got each other's back no matter what.
As I'm sure you've noticed, most of my list is comprised of paranormal couples...which is mostly what I read these days. I'm sure there are other great couples out there - what are some of your favorites?
1) Mr.Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet: Truly amazing union and really one of the most inspirational love affairs that I've ever read. I don't know if it's because of the long chase, the misunderstandings, the covert heroism, the pride or the prejudice (sorry, I couldn't resist), but this is one of those pairings that always comes to mind when I think about sweet romance to the extreme.
2) Wrath and Beth: For all you BDB/J.R.Ward fans, these two really heat up the page with their passionate love affair. Wrath is the typical brooding, badass vampire warrior and Beth is a take no crap kind of girl who seems to be perfect for him. They come together in a gripping instant attraction kind of way and stand by one another even in the worst of times. This couple is one of those ones who make me want to reread the series (or at least their books), especially for those torrid love scenes - wink, wink!
3) Raphael and Cyn: For those of you who haven't read any of D.B. Reynolds books...what the hell is wrong with you? Her first in a series of 8 (I believe) titled Raphael, introduces us to the amazing world of vampire lords and the humans who love, serve, protect them. These two have their issues, as strong willed characters would, but their passion is explosive and their love is eternal. I love how these two come from such independence and strength (sometimes stubborn to the point of personal injury) and work to mold together into a cohesive pair. Definitely ranking with the best of the romantic leads out there.
4) Elena and Clay: Okay, Kelley Armstrong fans out there - these two are one of my favourite couples, even if they aren't vampires ;-) Both bitten werewolves, they each bring their own kind of stubborn strength and electricity to the relationship. Again, it's not all sunshine and roses for these two, but that's part of the allure, I think. What really builds this relationship up for me is that they know each other so well - their connection really translates onto the page in a very realistic way. They might not always get along, but that's what makes their love affair so great.
5) Mac and Barrons: Now some might think that these two were never meant to be together and Moning definitely made us work for it when she started this couple down their path to hell, but in the end their love affair was totally combustible...hot, hot, hot! But not only that, because of everything they go through together, there is also a strong connection that makes their unspoken love for one another so believable. They change (or at least Mac does, Barrons kind of "modifies") and grow in order to envelop one another in this solid unity where you just know they've got each other's back no matter what.
As I'm sure you've noticed, most of my list is comprised of paranormal couples...which is mostly what I read these days. I'm sure there are other great couples out there - what are some of your favorites?
