I started
writing books while I was in college. My first novel, Legend Undone was
completed about a year after I graduated. All the while, in school, I was
studying psychology. I was learning all about the human mind and the things
that can go very right and the things that can go very wrong. I learned about
how environment, relationships, disabilities, changes, and so many other things
can affect how the human mind operates.
One topic I
found particularly fascinating was that even as unique as people are, there
tends to be patterns between people especially in response to external things.
Meaning, even though I have not personally encountered turning the corner to
see a vampire with blood dripping down her chin, I can make an educated guess
at what my response would be. I have encountered walking around the corner of
my own house to see my husband standing there and my mind instantly went into a
fear response where I froze, sucked in a breath, and put my hand to my chest
while I stepped back. You know, like a total coward.
I fully knew
that he was in the house, but because he is so quiet when he walks and I am so
jumpy, I was surprised at something unknown standing in front of me. Before I
had a chance to put together what was actually in front of me, my mind sent
signals to my body to react. Because I studied psychology, I know that those
reactions are so deeply ingrained in our brains. The initial, knee-jerk
reaction is nearly uncontrollable. So while I love my husband and I should’ve
been happy to see him, I was shocked and my mind reacted accordingly. This
leads me to believe that should I encounter something supernatural walking
around the corner, I’d probably be the least valuable person you’d want by your
side to defend you.
It’s not just a
basic flight or fight response that psychology can teach about the human mind.
How people respond to external love and support when they haven’t received it
often, how people react to new information that could change their lives, or
how people judge the actions of others based on their own past experiences are
all common topics that are thoroughly discussed. I loved learning about people
and why they acted the way they did. I translated that love into my writing and
creating an urban fantasy story.
Most of the
characters in the Legends & Shadows Saga are basically energy vampires,
called Legends in the story. They have enhanced abilities but need human energy
to survive. A topic like that was never taught in psychology, unless we were
talking about delusions. But everything else that makes a story or a character
great (at least for me) is their ability to love, grow, make bad decisions,
rationalize thought, judge or be judged by others, sacrifice for others, and
their overall experience that we can relate to as humans. So while the powers
in my book are created from my imagination, the emotions and relationships are
based on real concepts.
I think the most
intense and alluring stories are ones that are close enough to real life or
real emotions that the reader can identify with the characters. I don’t have
much in common with a murderous, energy vampire that enjoys other people’s pain
and dons a plethora of tattoos across her arms. However, I can still write
about a character that does. Nikki is a side character in my books that I
created but her harsh personality is based on what happens to people who have
been repeatedly abandoned and are forced to protect themselves emotionally. I
don’t empathize with hardly any of her choices but I can understand feeling
pain and wanting to set yourself up to feel less pain. The beauty of stories is
getting to see other people’s choices and understand them, even if you wouldn’t
make them yourself.
I think most readers have a fascination with psychology, even if they don’t know the fancy terms. Urban fantasy is a great place to experience supernatural elements in a normal world. It’s an easy path from the reality we know and the fantasy that books promise. I love writing urban fantasy and building the characters in my stories. I am fortunate that I went to college and studied an intriguing topic that I loved and I still get to use that knowledge in my passion projects now. I’m not sure which love came first for me, all I know is that I love psychology and I love fantasy. For me, they both have a place in my writing and always will.
Fantastic cover
ReplyDeleteI've been coming across this one a lot recently. Already got it on my list.
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