I've always loved scary things and paranormal things and things that go bump in the night, but my biggest moth-to-flame item is paranormal humor. This probably started because of ghost stories around campfires and at sleepovers when we were kids. The spooky ones were fun, but the ones I really enjoyed were those with joke endings. (The Ghost with the Ten Bloody Fingers, anyone?) Silly eight-year-old humor aside, it was the moment of surprise, that unexpected lift, that happens when you're ramped up for a scare and get a laugh instead.
Paranormal humor is something of a specific niche, though. So much of it relies on viewers and readers already understanding the tropes and classic stories that the humor is subverting. If you watch Young Frankenstein without knowing Dr. Frankenstein's original story, the slapstick might be humorous, but the movie isn't nearly as funny. (So many incredible comedic performances in that movie.) If you watch What We Do in the Shadows without an understanding of vampire mythos and pop culture, again, it's not nearly as funny. (I had to explain to the hubby what vampire archetype each character represented – he got a couple of them, but not all, and wasn't "getting" the movie.) In a more general sense, though, the humor really does arise from that surprising break of tension, that moment when something that normally should be scary, or begins as scary or tense, is broken or subverted by the humor. Sometimes it's situational, such as the set up in Beetlejuice. Classic haunted house story that's subverted by the fact that we, the viewers, know the ghosts. We've met them. We like them. We can't be scared of them now. Or the arrival of the Olympians as cranky old gods in Tanya Huff's Summoner series. Or the absurd juxtaposition of Victorian manners and werewolves in Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate books. Sometimes humor isn't the driver behind a piece, but happens in necessary moments that break up a piece and keep it from taking itself too seriously. A story without humor of any kind can really drag for me – and paranormal stories are no exception. The banter during Buffy episodes, or a dark, brooding vampire with moments of self-aware humor like Henry Fitzroy in the Blood series, or the completely awkward interpersonal relationship moments of Percival Whyborne in Jordan Hawk's Widdershins – all of these serve to give you that different sort of jolt, that moment of unexpected laughter in between the adrenaline rushes of scary stuff. Not all of my own paranormal writing is humorous (some is, and I love writing the theater of the absurd stories), but I'd find it dull indeed if I couldn't inject some humor into serious stories of anything past a short story length. And now, off to go watch The Nightmare Before Christmas… Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter below and be sure to visit all of the wonderful authors on the Halloween Scare Trail! (A different prize at every stop :D ) RJ Scott - $20 Amazon Gift Card www.rjscott.co.uk V.L. Locey - $10 Redbubble Gift Card http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/ Jordan Castillo Price - Ebook or Audio of Reader's choice plus JCP Swag Pack www.jordancastilloprice.com/blog J.L. Merrow - Ebook of both newly re-released werewolf novels Camwolf & Midnight In Berlin. https://jlmerrow.com/ Rick R. Reed - Ebook of A Demon Inside from DSP Publications http://rickrreedreality.blogspot.com/ K.A. Merikan - Paperback https://www.facebook.com/KAMerikan/ Charlie Richards - $20 Amazon Gift Card http://www.charlie-richards.com/ Amber Kell - $20 Amazon Gift Card www.amberkell.com Eli Easton - $20 Amazon Gift Card and second prize of ebook copies of Gothika #1-4 www.elieaston.com Charlie Cochet - 3 x $10 Amazon Gift Cards charliecochet.com/blog Meredith Russell - $10 Amazon Gift Card http://meredithrussell.co.uk/ Alex Jane - $10 Amazon Gift Card and Ebook from back catalogue. www.alexjane.info Stormy Glenn - $20 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook. http://stormyglenn.blogspot.com Annabelle Jacobs - $10 Amazon Gift Card and backlist ebook annabellejacobs.com
My own latest paranormal releases can be found at Pride Publishing - Semper Fae: Endangered Fae 3 and Trysts and Burning Embers: Lijun 2 (Up for pre-order.)
58 Comments
Didi
10/28/2018 01:15:25 am
I do love humors in all kind of genre books I read. For paranormal that often touched on horror, it helped to moderate my scaredy level a bit, rather than being shoved into one intense moments to another.
Angel Martinez
10/29/2018 09:14:19 am
Right? I can only take so much scare at a time. :)
Maea
10/28/2018 05:07:14 am
I love reading different genre but mostly MM paranormals. The 1st that attracts me is the blurb, then the story and lastly if I enjoyed and love the certain story, I began to love that author. You're one of my favorite authors. Thanks for the books. Happy Halloween.
Angel Martinez
10/29/2018 09:15:59 am
<3 Thank you! I do that a lot, too. Also, if a friend recommends the book, which is how I've found a lot of my favorite authors.
Chris Roberts
10/28/2018 06:25:15 am
Humor is important especially with what is happening in the world now.
Angel Martinez
10/29/2018 09:17:01 am
It is, it so is. We need it to hold back the dark. <3
Laurel
10/28/2018 06:27:52 am
I love humor in books as long as it’s funny. Lol. Some humor that others think is hilarious I just don’t get it.
AliceMLT
10/28/2018 07:37:21 am
Humor isn't something I look for when reading, but it is always nice to stumble upon a character that makes me laugh. It can be about the silliest thing! But when humor becomes part of the character's personality, I can sometimes get a really good laugh out of reading. Those times are great: it's like finding something you weren't even looking for ;) 10/28/2018 07:59:53 am
There's a fun (and scary) movie from 1967 called "The Spirit Is Willing" that blends a few chills with the laughs. Underrated and little-known.
amanda logan
10/28/2018 08:17:12 am
I loved reading about the fact you enjoy humor I do to. In fact I look for adult humor in kid movies because we all know they throw it in! Thank you for sharing.
Debra Guyette
10/28/2018 08:37:49 am
I love reading MM paranormal and adding in some humor makes it so much better. thanks
Madeleine
10/28/2018 09:00:29 am
I love paranormal stories.
Kathy J in Ellicott City
10/28/2018 09:02:24 am
I do love humor in all types of genres, but I agree with you that humor in horror stories is a must.
niki driscoll
10/28/2018 09:05:40 am
Humor always makes a story great. It doesn’t matter the genres. I always loved it whe a author throws it in and it is always at the right time
Katherine Young
10/28/2018 09:35:46 am
I love comedy in horror. And B movies.
annmarie
10/28/2018 09:52:59 am
I enjoyed the humor in Scream very much! 10/28/2018 09:57:28 am
Humor is something I always look for when I choose books, especially in spec-fic. I really can't do serious horror, in either book or movie form.
waxapplelover
10/28/2018 10:11:58 am
I completely agree. I love paranormal stories, though I veer more heavily towards ones with shifters and/or magic, rather than ghosts. However, I find stories a bit "heavy" if there isn't a bit of humor in there as well.
Ginger Connatser
10/28/2018 10:12:56 am
I love a bit of humor in my stories.
Denise
10/28/2018 10:37:58 am
Young Frankenstein is a work of genius never to be surpassed!! I agree that the juxtaposition of horror and humor is irresistible and completely entertaining.
Samantha
10/28/2018 10:45:22 am
I adore paranormal romance! I especially love shifter books! Thanks for being awesome 😁
Jen F
10/28/2018 10:46:54 am
I agree with your about Jordan L. Hawk's Whyborne & Griffin series - the bits of humor are so important. I also enjoyed your book Uncommonly Tidy Poltergeists. It was fun and I wish I had some mysterious cleaners at my house. We just have mysterious mess makers.
Samantha Rozyczko
10/28/2018 10:49:55 am
I love books with humor. I feel like the more the merrier. It doesnt always have to be that way but i stuggle with angst in books so i need just a bit of humor in books. I dont like to feel emotionally drained after reading a book.
Susan
10/28/2018 10:52:34 am
I read the Finn series when it first came out and I liked them so much I bought them in paper! They were my gateway drug to most of the rest of your oeuvre. 10/28/2018 11:03:36 am
I love all things paranormal: books, movies, TV series. And paranormal humor and satire are some of my favorites. As a matter of fact, last night I watched both Hocus Pocus and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I watch them both every year at Halloween time.
Claudia
10/28/2018 11:38:47 am
A little humor always add more depth to a story.
Josh Rose
10/28/2018 12:18:29 pm
I agree, humour is what keeps us all going through the darkest times, so why should it be any different in a story? Happy Halloween.
Alberta Varney
10/28/2018 12:36:28 pm
I lone to laugh while reading.
Donna
10/28/2018 12:53:48 pm
Humor and paranormal is a must read for me.
Judy Stone
10/28/2018 12:59:42 pm
Due to night terrors and other personal demons, I steer clear of horror movies--I see no reason to scare myself silly. I love SF/F and if it's liberally dosed with humor, I'm all over it like a rash! A few of my favorite movies: Love at First Bite (1979 with George Hamilton), Young Frankenstein (1974 with Gene Wilder), Hellboy with Ron Perlman, The Last Starfighter (1984 with Robert Preston), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series (the original 1990 movie and the next two), Spaceballs, Galaxy Quest; 'The adventures of Buckaroo Banzai across the eighth dimension!' with Peter Weller; and my all time favorite after all these years is The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Tim Curry.
Elisheva Cohen
10/28/2018 02:14:58 pm
I love the movies you listed!
Elf
10/28/2018 02:31:08 pm
I'm so excited for the second Lijun book! Halloween, for me, is always about the costuming ;) Books are for all seasons!
Jennifer Shannon
10/28/2018 02:43:48 pm
I love humor in everything. Unrelenting angst or tension is hard for me to take.
Eija
10/28/2018 02:58:54 pm
I love humor in books and especially banter between characters or someone taking a crack at another character and the joke relaying on the reader knowing the characters well enough to get it.
bn100
10/28/2018 03:39:41 pm
fun to include humor
Elayne Young
10/28/2018 03:49:18 pm
I'm not a big fan of horror in books or films but if I'm assured that there's at least a thread of humour in them,well that's a different story. Rhys Fords Hellsinger series is an example.
Amy Cain
10/28/2018 04:43:54 pm
I absolutely love humor in the books I read! I love snorting out loud while I’m reading, so of course I love snarky characters, the more the merrier.
Marcine
10/28/2018 05:38:16 pm
I am a sucker for comedy elements in stories. Piers Anthony's Xanth was a favorite growing up and I agree Young Frankenstein is classic.
Mary Anne Ostroman
10/28/2018 06:04:02 pm
I love the paranormal world and have been a fan of horror movies since I was a child. It is the big what if, it’s fascinating.
Shirley Ann Speakman
10/28/2018 06:05:33 pm
I'm not a scary movie fan I remember the humour in something like the Adams Family, Beetlejuice and I course I know they are not movies but I loved the humour in Buffy and also Angel.
Christina
10/28/2018 06:11:38 pm
HAHA. A Nightmare Before Christmas is my 4 y/o Grandson's favorite scary movie. He hated it at first and wanted us to turn it off, but we convinced him to stick with it to the end. Funnily, Hocus Pocus is my daughter's favorite "scary" movie. When she was 3 y/o we were watching it on the Disney Channel (back in the day) and she wanted us to turn it off, but we convinced her to stick with it to the end and thus began a lifetime of love for Hocus Pocus. Wtching it is now a Halloween season family tradition. I think my Grandson will always have a special place in his heart for the Nightmare Before Christmas.
Serena S.
10/28/2018 06:50:02 pm
I love paranormal. And I like humor but it's not mandatory that all the books have it. I prefer different things.
jodi marinich
10/28/2018 07:38:34 pm
I love humor in my stories
Ami
10/28/2018 09:51:50 pm
Paranormal humor is definitely good! I can take humor in ANY kind of stories, even mystery/thriller
Geraldine
10/28/2018 09:58:12 pm
Humour makes everything for me, it’s important in my books and films, and one of the reasons I love your books! The Offbbeat Crimes series and Brimstone books are some of my favourite re reads.
Kendra Tompkins
10/28/2018 10:29:06 pm
Humor is a definite plus in my paranormal romances. I don’t like being super spooked, so I love to laugh.
Toni
10/28/2018 11:08:40 pm
Those humorous little moments in Widdershins are some of my favorites. That series is an absolute favorite of mine.
H.B.
10/28/2018 11:11:53 pm
I like paranormal books and most stick to shifter reads but I like reading all genres in MM category.
Lee Todd
10/28/2018 11:25:30 pm
humour is definitely required...even if it is only a short, sharp laugh in an otherwise tense story
April Hansen
10/29/2018 12:13:22 am
I love humor in books. My all time favorite line from a book came from Lime Jello:
Amanda Viecelli
10/29/2018 01:36:32 am
I love humor mixed in with any kind of movie or book, especially ones that are really intense and can use a break in tension every so often. Thank you for the chance!
susana
10/29/2018 04:18:34 am
I love humour in my everything... Specially in my romance. Humour balances things, don't you think so. Thank you for the post and giveaway!
Athira
10/29/2018 07:34:39 am
Thanks for the chance!
Misti
10/30/2018 08:49:46 am
The movie The visit is funny weird through the first half not the end though.
Claudia
10/31/2018 10:34:44 am
Humour is a survival tool, being it on the fantasy world from a film or a book, or on RL. It breaks the tension and helps you to keep going.
Curly
10/31/2018 04:22:18 pm
I loved What We Do In The Shadows! I hear they're making a TV series out or it. Leave a Reply. |
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About Angel
Angel writes (mostly) Science Fiction and Fantasy centered around queer heroes. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware and full time inside her head, she has one husband, one son, two cats, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate. |
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