I like to focus on the good, obviously. I’d not want you to spend your ducats on crap (unless by name was the byline). I’d rather you focus on the solid storytelling, the great characters, and the talent that goes into these works.
This subgenre of contemporary literature is a collection of some great storytelling. Much like the noir mysteries of Chandler and Hammet, the stories follow the basic set-up: a protagonist trying to uncover a mystery. Pretty basic, yeah? Well, it is and it isn't. There's only so many zombies, vamps, werewolves, demons, fairies, and dryads stories to tell. These writers have to rely on strong storytelling and touches of originality to succeed. Felix Gomex is a vampire detective. Boring! However, toss in some strong politics, gang wars, and a touch of the X-Files and it works.
Harry Dresden is a wizard who works for the police (well, and he's kind of a private dick). Heard it! Nay, Jim Butcher tosses in sharp dialogue and an assortment of baddies from the NeverNever and voila it works.
There are some good male players in the mix of the paranormal fiction gang – Mario Acevedo, Jim Butcher, Simon Green – but the strange phenomenon is that this genre is populated by the female of the species. Odd? Not really, considering Laurell K. Hamilton kind of sparked a lightening in a bottle effect. Shortly thereafter, Charlaine Harris traded her mystery novels for Sookie Stackhouse and company (side note: when that happened I remember many around her cautioning her against the genre jump. Who's laughing now?) That’s when the cookie cutting began. But surprisingly, there are some solid writers who have stepped above and kept things fresh.
Take for instance Marjorie M. Liu.
I’m surprised that more people don’t know her name. I never read her Dirk & Steele novels (which apparently has an enormous following), but I’m an enormous fan of her Hunter Kiss series. I’m also a fan of her work with Marvel. Seriously, the girl can do anything.
The Hunter Kiss books are enjoyable and dark, gritty and edgy without trying too hard. And the concept – which is very, very cool – somehow keeps the action flowing rather than weighing it down (as is oft the case for “concept” pieces).
It’s an exciting time for Ms. Liu right now. I’m sure she’s eagerly awaiting Comic Con (she’s a popular panelist with Marvel) and her next Hunter Kiss book is released in one week on the July 27th. Follow the link below to pre-order it.
If you’re looking for a review, check out the Authors Speak review here: http://www.theauthorsspeak.com/2010/06/review-wrap-paranormal-fiction.html
I was blessed to have a few moments of Marjorie’s time to discuss Black Widow and the Marvel universe, tats, and the dark, edgy fiction of Hunter Kiss.
Marjorie M. Liu: Ha! None I can see! But I have met kind, and generous, readers of my work.
EM: Sorry for jumping on that wagon first, Marjorie. Okay, moving on to your work, you’ve got quite a beast in the Hunters Kiss series. I remember seeing them on the paperback shelf at the bookstore and thought to myself: “Oy! Another urban fantasy rehash”. Sorry. But you’ve created a totally original character, concept, and really added a nice touch to the subgenre. How do you keep things so fresh?
ML: I just write. I wish I could give you a better answer, but I really just sit down and write from the gut. I try to tell the best story I can.
EM: Do you have tattoos, yourself, Marjorie? Do they make up your demon army?
ML: No, no tattoos. I get bored with things. If I got a tattoo, chances are good that in a day, or week, or year – I’d be ready to remove it and get something different. It’s just better not to even start down that road!
EM: Seriously, though, how did you come up with your Heroine, Maxine?
ML: Maxine was originally born from the need to write a novella for the anthology, WILD THING. She just came to me, full bloom. I knew her, in my heart. But that didn’t make writing her story any easier.
EM: I see that “paranormal fiction”, and the whole urban fantasy/horror genre, has nearly taken over the bookshelves at brick and mortar bookstores. Is the abundance of authors (some good, some bad) rehashing and recycling stories good or bad for the genre?
ML: Well, I don’t think any author sets out to rehash and recycle stories. Every writer I know carries a pure intent of originality, though I suppose there are similar themes that might appear across genres. I think the abundance of authors on the shelves is a wonderful thing. It just means there’s an endless supply of worlds to explore.
EM: Okay, coming on back to the world of comics…it seems you’ve quite the following. How does a romance writer get a gig writing for Marvel?
ML: I wrote the novel, X-Men: Dark Mirror! That was my foot in the door, and opened up a thee-year long conversation between Marvel and me. NYX came out of that, and the rest is history.
EM: Now you’re pretty known amongst the Marvel players, right? I want to take a sec and talk the Dark Avengers. There are purists amongst the comic book world. Have any of them been “pissy” about the Dark Avengers? You’ve got some heavy hitters, plus a focal point on Daken. What’s your take?
ML: Honestly, I have no idea what people say, or don’t say, about the Dark Avengers. I stay out of the message boards, and no one ever writes me with their concerns.
EM: And now, you’re writing for Black Widow, yeah?
ML: I did write for Black Widow -- the first arc, which is five issues long. That was all I had time for, but it was a wonderful experience.
EM: Your career is so varied, Marjorie! You’ve got romance on one hand, paranormal fiction on the other, and, now, comics. What’s your favorite?
ML: That’s a hard question. I love writing novels, period. I love writing comics, too, but in a novel I’ve got more room to breathe, more lines I can cross and buttons I can push. Plus, I own the characters.
But man, writing Dark Wolverine? Getting a chance to play with the Fantastic Four, and other X-Men? Working on Black Widow? X-23? That’s incredible.
EM: Since you’ve now been seen at Comic Con, is there one annoying thing fans do that you’d like to address? Go ahead, they’re listening.
ML: No, not a thing. My readers are lovely people, and I’m always so happy to meet them. If anything, I would tell them not to be too shy! Don’t be afraid to come up and say hello.
EM: I know you had a rather interesting publishing story…you know, how you were “discovered”. We have a lot of writers that read us. So many new avenues are opening up for aspiring writers – some are making the biz easier, some are tainting the biz, and some are just plain awful. In these confusing times, do you have one nugget of advice for writers?
ML: I don’t know if the times are all that confusing – as long as you know exactly what you want. And that’s one piece of advice that I would give:
Know yourself.
Know what you want in your life and career, know what you want to write, and don’t be afraid of your individuality. Be gusty, be fearless. Don’t give up, if writing for a living is what you want to do. But be smart about it, too. Don’t be so desperate you lose your good common sense.
Marjorie is an amazingly talented writer. I love her books, I love her answers, and I…well, I’ll not say I “love” anything else…I might achieve creeper status.
Regardless, if you’re looking for a good read, pick up “A Wild Light”, which will be released on Tuesday. You can click the link below and pre-order your copy.
Also, for more information about Marjorie (I didn’t mention anything about Dirk & Steele) visit Marjorie’s website: http://www.marjoriemliu.com/.
Tomorrow, the Women of Paranormal Fiction continues with S. M. De Silva.
Until then, keep reading.
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