I wrote a blog a little while ago about my love of paranormal etc and I thought I’d share it here, given the theme today. I hope you enjoy it.
I love paranormal, sci fi and fantasy. I guess that’s not such a secret given I’ve written a novel called Dark Moon that includes magic, Witches, Warlocks, Werewolves, shape shifters a horrifying curse and an ancient evil. But why do I love this kind of thing so much?
I expect it goes back to when I was a baby. My mum used to breast feed me and my brother while she was watching Star Trek, Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone and the like. I think it must have seeped into my psyche, because as soon as I was old enough to decide what I wanted to watch and read, it was these kinds of programs and novels that I mostly gravitated toward. It wasn’t that I didn’t find some of these things scary ““ sometimes they are ““ but the whole idea of things we don’t understand simply fascinates me.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE. These words, flashed on the screen during that twangy, yet eerie and simple theme to the X-Files, always sent a shiver of excitement through me, not because like Mulder I wanted proof, or like Scully, scientific reasons, but because the thought of what could be out there filled my mind with an eternity of wonder.
I believe.
Our universe is so vast, there has to be intelligent life out there somewhere else. I have seen and experienced some paranormal phenomenon that makes it impossible for me to deny what I have felt and seen is real. Some people would say it is just wishful thinking ““ but when twenty other people have experienced the same ghostly apparition and have had separate discussions about it, I find that verges on “proof’ rather than wish fulfilment. I firmly believe in reincarnation and that there are ghosts and presences all around. I can read people’s auras, and I can see something different in those who feel like they have an old soul. I believe in good and evil as forces that influence us and the universe, not only in our intent and ideology, but in the essence of who we are as people.
I know many scholars say that much of mythology came about because of human being’s fear of things they didn’t understand and their need to explain those things to comfort them at night or as death took those they loved. They blamed these things on mysterious forces, evil enchantresses, blood sucking fiends or just quite simply, The Gods doing what Gods do. Whatever could help the desperately afraid feel better about the harshness of life and their place in this world. But I would say that argument as much proves the possibility of all those unknowns. If the human brain is so powerful as to come up with ideas and stories like that that endure through the ages, and be so lush in description and lifelike in the fear or awe they engender, then why can’t it be powerful enough to do so much else? There is so much about the brain we don’t understand ““ just as there is so much about our world and the universe we don’t know or understand ““ and so much of it we don’t actively use.
I feel like when I write, I might be using a different part of my brain. I often look at the words that have spilled out on the page and don’t recognise them. There is only a vague conscious recognition, as if someone else wrote those words. It feels very much like I am channelling something or someone else ““ my characters? My Muse? Some story-telling spirit? I don’t know. It might be some scientific concentration of chemicals sparking in my brain or it might be something else entirely. And at the end of the day, I really don’t care. All that matters is that I love what I do and I am free in my mind to let whatever process that makes this work for me take control.
Whatever reason, or whatever form it takes – sci-fi or paranormal or fantasy ““ I love that it lets me do this and I believe in it. And if some of this love and belief spills into my work, all the better, because I know there are others out there who have the same belief in and love of a world that is unknowable and mysteriously possible simply because of the power of imagination. I particularly love the idea of these things happening in the modern day, mixing it up with ancient mythologies and legends to create something new and wonderful and relevant for the modern audience. And this is why, I mostly write urban fantasy/paranormal. I can’t seem to help myself, but I don’t care. It’s what I love and I know plenty of people out there love it too.
Dark Moon Blurb:
Lately, Skye Collins has been unable to shake the feeling that she’s being watched. After a lifetime spent hiding her true nature, she knows that any unusual attention is something to be wary of. And the only attention she’s been receiving lately is from the intense and attractive Jason McVale.
Jason claims to know things about Skye that can’t be true, and it’s obvious he’s hiding secrets of his own. Yet despite herself, Skye can’t resist the attraction between them, and her surrender will set in motion a chain of events that will have consequences for everyone she holds dear.
Gradually, Jason convinces Skye that she has to trust him if she is to solve the riddle of her past and learn the truth about her power. But believing Jason means that her entire life has been based on a lie.
As her enemies gather strength and the danger increases, Skye is forced to accept who she really is. Will she risk everything and fight for those she loves? Or save herself and let them be destroyed by the forces of darkness?
About the Author.
Leisl is a tall red head with an overly large imagination. As a child, she identified strongly with Anne of Green Gables. A voracious reader and a born performer, it came as no surprise to anyone when she did a double major in English Literature and Drama for her BA, then went on to a career as an actor, singer and dancer, as well as script writer, stage manager and musical director for cabaret and theatre restaurants (one of which she co-owned and ran for six years).
After starting a family Leisl stopped performing and instead, began writing the stories that had been plaguing her dreams. Leisl’s stories have won and placed in many competitions in Australia and the US, including the STALI, Golden Opportunities, Heart of the West, Linda Howard Award of Excellence, Touch of Magic and many others.
Leisl lives in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne with her two beautiful boys, lovely hubby, overly spunky dog, Buffy, and likes to spend time with family and friends. She sometimes sings in a choir and works as a swim teacher in her day-to-day job.
Leisl writes paranormal fantasy and romantic suspense.
You can buy Dark Moon here:
Her romantic suspense, Killing Me Softly is out now:
You can follow Leisl and find out more about her and her books on her website: www.leislleighton.com
Follow her on Twitter @LeislLeighton
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