When Did Scary Creatures Become Hot Instead Of Horror?

Please welcome guest blogger Kerri Nelson

I remember being about 6 years old when they aired Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot as a television mini-series. I was visiting my grandmother for the summer and cuddling up with her on the sofa to watch this movie. I remember her telling me that it would probably be too scary for me but I begged her to let me watch.

She relented and I acted all brave but I was secretly terrified. Vampires scared me to death and I had nightmares for a week.

Of course, years later when I watch that same version I laugh myself silly at the pitiful special effects. But at the time…I just knew that those vampires were real and that they were probably hovering outside my window as I slept at night.

Now, when I think of vampires…I think of hot and sexy. Creatures of the night who we fantasize about, fall in love with, and befriend in the fight against evil.

So, when, exactly did scary creatures become hot instead of horror?

I was recently doing some market research for a proposal that I was putting together. The sheer number of paranormal romances on the market is truly mind boggling. And note the key words in that last sentence “paranormal romance”…as in a romance featuring a hero who is typically a monster of some sort.

Then I started thinking, what really defines “a monster”?

Well, according to dictionary.com a monster is defined as the following:

1. a legendary animal combining features of animal and human form or having the forms of various animals in combination, as a centaur, griffin, or sphinx.

2. any creature so ugly or monstrous as to frighten people.

3. any animal or human grotesquely deviating from the normal shape, behavior, or character.

4. a person who excites horror by wickedness, cruelty, etc.

5. any animal or thing huge in size.

As to definition #1: half man/half beast I think we’ve got that covered.

As to definition #2: ugly? Not anymore! Vampires and shifters are known as being some of the hottest characters in fiction today.

As to definition #3: I can see that I guess although “grotesquely” could be up for interpretation.

As to definition #4: There’s the horror mention but we see many more monsters in romance than we do in horror these days (or so it seems to me).

As to definition #5: Huge? Hmmm…well the erotic romance side of me could make a comment here but I’ll refrain. Typically, though, these characters appear normal man size.

I guess the bottom line here is that the romance market has basically redefined what a being a monster means to us. It just goes to show that women do truly love a wounded, imperfect hero. And romance writers can really turn a monster into pure hot magic.

© 2010 Kerri Nelson

Kerri Nelson has always been passionate about reading books but when she wrote her first poem in the second grade, she discovered her love of writing. At the age of sixteen, she became a columnist for her local newspaper as the high school correspondent for the weekly "Panther Tales" column. She won the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.

After an education and career in the legal field, Kerri began to pen romantic suspense novels with a legal or law enforcement theme. She is a true southern belle and comes complete with her dashing southern gentleman husband and three adorable children. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her baking homemade goodies for her family, feeding her addiction to blogging online or designing custom made book trailers. Kerri is an active member of Romance Writers of America as well as numerous Chapters including Hearts through History, Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

Kerri is a multi-published author of romance in every genre from romantic suspense and paranormal to young adult and inspirational novels.

Read more about Kerri’s books at her website: www.kerrinelson.com

Want to play, learn and compete with other authors in the biz? Visit Kerri’s industry blog here: www.thebookboost.blogspot.com

For the latest news and updates from Kerri, follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/kerribookwriter


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Book One of the California Wolf Code

When a vegetarian werewolf falls for a celebrity chef, will his appetite for her cause him to stray from his vegan ways?

Santiago Salazar is a reformed werewolf living in sunny Beverly Hills, California. When he catches sight of celebrity chef Gabrielle Connor on television, he’s soon drooling in his tofu burger.After they meet at one of Gabbi’s book signings, Santiago is thrilled to discover that the attraction is mutual. The two hit it off in a major way but when the night takes a dark turn…Gabbi must decide if she can live with the new world that she’s discovered and Santiago must ultimately answer to the werewolf code of conduct.

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