Can a novel(series) be both Paranormal and Contemporary?

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

So, my current WIP is totally Paranormal, with one of the MC's being a ghost and all.
However, I intend it to have a second book, one where I think the paranormal elements from book one, would no longer be included and so the novel would be more on the contemporary side.
Can you have a series be cross-genre? Would that even work, or would one loose a lot of the readers, who love paranormal and are not keen on having most of the paranormal elements dissapear in book 2.

And does anyone have an examples of this happening, where one book is one way, and the next book veers from the genre and morphs into somehting else entirely?

Shady Lane · Jul 28, 2011

I think that would be really, really hard to pitch/market/sell, sorry.

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

Thanks Shady. I was thinking that would be the way of it

Becca C. · Jul 28, 2011

I think you would run the risk of a bait-and-switch type feeling in your readers -- "Hey, I loved book 1 because of the vampires and werewolves, but book 2 is all about Susie finding a prom date? What gives??"

They'd be pretty confused.

(I'm obviously joking about Susie finding a prom date, that's obviously not what all contemporary YA is about XD)

Shady Lane · Jul 28, 2011

AlishaS said:
Thanks Shady. I was thinking that would be the way of it

You're awesome.

strawberryblondie · Jul 28, 2011

I know of one series that started out as contemporary and then turned paranormal later on. It didn't go over well from what I've read in reviews.

Shady Lane · Jul 28, 2011

i've always heard that if you're going to introduce paranormal stuff into a story that would otherwise appear totally contemporary and normal, have at least a hint of it in the first three chapters.

thebloodfiend · Jul 28, 2011

I've never heard of a series like that. Sure, Goosebumps was a bit wacky and went back and forth between fantasy horror and sci-fi horror, but science fantasy is an entirely different beast from paranormal/contemporary. It could work, but I think it's kind of odd that a second book would completely lack a PNR angle. Like everyone above has already said, it would probably be a hard sell.

missesdash · Jul 28, 2011

I think that's like the literary equivalent of your favorite metal band putting out a country album.

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

You guys are awesome and made me laugh.

I'm only thinking of doing this (maybe) is because in book on main MC is a ghost-like person, his body is in a coma and his "soul" roams around, with the help of other female MC, the ghost solves his attempted murder, get's his brother out of jail and get's the bad guys in jail. However, I was thinking he could wake up, and not die. You know that whole hanging around due to "unfinished business" but instead of "crossing over" since he was just in a coma it would be a bit of a surprise for him to wake up.
However, if he wakes up in Book 2 and has to deal with life after the fact, I think some of the paranormal elements would be gone, since he'd no longer be a ghost. But would have plenty to do, in Book 1 he had amensia, and would maybe wake up still in an amenisa like state, he'd have to rebuild his life and what not...

But as to how to keep it still paranormal? I'm at a loss.

missesdash · Jul 28, 2011

Well the simple answer seems to be adding another ghost. Maybe since he's crossed over, he has a sixth sense now. That happens all the time. Maybe he can get messages from ghosts or people who haven't crossed over like him.

Kathleen42 · Jul 28, 2011

AlishaS said:
However, if he wakes up in Book 2 and has to deal with life after the fact, I think some of the paranormal elements would be gone, since he'd no longer be a ghost.

Just a thought but maybe he has some sort of paranormal side effect from his time roaming out of body in book one. Or maybe he sees something on his way back.

Just something to think about.

I like the idea of contemporary themes with paranormal elements but I think having both in one book and then switching to just contemporary for the second would be problematic.

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

missesdash said:
Well the simple answer seems to be adding another ghost. Maybe since he's crossed over, he has a sixth sense now. That happens all the time. Maybe he can get messages from ghosts or people who haven't crossed over like him.

Haha, I am laughing, at myself, right now! I can't believe I never even thought of this. OF COURSE! It makes so much sense now.

Ashes Oh Ashes · Jul 28, 2011

Maybe he becomes aware of the paranormal happenings going on around him? He sees ghosts, etc., etc.

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

Kathleen42 said:
Just a thought but maybe he has some sort of paranormal side effect from his time roaming out of body in book one. Or maybe he sees something on his way back.

Just something to think about.

I like the idea of contemporary themes with paranormal elements but I think having both in one book and then switching to just contemporary for the second would be problematic.

Haha, I am laughing, at myself, right now! AGAIN I can't believe I never even thought of this. OF COURSE! It makes so much sense now.

Okay, so I'm calling a complete and total blonde moment. I swear, I don't have blonde hair, but today I do! Damn.

You people are amazing and I feel incedibly silly. This will give me a good laugh for the rest of the night.

Thanks, you guys, and keep those paranormal idea's coming!

DrunkenLilacs · Jul 28, 2011

How about If I Stay by Gayle Foreman? The first book in the series the MC gets in a car crash and basically has an outer body experience (kind of paranormal, I think) and then the second book is just completely contemporary. But then again the second book is in the perspective of her boyfriend in the aftermath, but, yeah

MadSquirrel · Jul 28, 2011

I think you can have paranormal elements in a contemporary universe, kinda sorta, but I don't think you can suddenly have paranormal elements show up after establishing it as a contemporary story. I can't see how that would work well.

AlishaS · Jul 28, 2011

DrunkenLilacs said:
How about If I Stay by Gayle Foreman? The first book in the series the MC gets in a car crash and basically has an outer body experience (kind of paranormal, I think) and then the second book is just completely contemporary. But then again the second book is in the perspective of her boyfriend in the aftermath, but, yeah

Good point. I did read both books, I loved If I Stay, however, the second book (which I can't put my finger on the name, must be a sign lol) didn't quite have me as hooked. And it is a total paranormal one book, total contemp the next. They switch in POV's might be the only reason why it sorta works.

DrunkenLilacs · Jul 28, 2011

AlishaS said:
Good point. I did read both books, I loved If I Stay, however, the second book (which I can't put my finger on the name, must be a sign lol) didn't quite have me as hooked. And it is a total paranormal one book, total contemp the next. They switch in POV's might be the only reason why it sorta works.

Yes, I agree, Where She Went isn't exactly as powerful as If I Stay. In that case, I agree with the others to have your MC come back w/ some kind paranormal.supernatural powers that he'll have to deal with--makes a great story

KTC · Jul 28, 2011

Shady Lane said:
i've always heard that if you're going to introduce paranormal stuff into a story that would otherwise appear totally contemporary and normal, have at least a hint of it in the first three chapters.

I have a contemporary YA novel with an agent at the moment. It was suggested to me at some point that I introduce the paranormal element earlier than the 4th chapter. (-: I rewrote the beginning. And I understood the reasoning, too. The reader would just be getting comfortable in the contemporary setting and the paranormal twist later in would throw them off.

strawberryblondie · Jul 28, 2011

Yeah I recently read a book with sci-fi elements that weren't introduced until halfway through. It didn't bother me (and I suspected they were coming) but I could see why it would throw some people off.

Liosse de Velishaf · Jul 28, 2011

It wouldn't really bother me as a reader, but I'm probably not your target audience, and adult SFF stuff I write often crosses genre in one series, sort of like PERN.

I imagine it would be a tough sell in YA, even if there was a large overlap of readers in your audience.

JennieRose8 · Jul 29, 2011

AlishaS said:
So, my current WIP is totally Paranormal, with one of the MC's being a ghost and all.
However, I intend it to have a second book, one where I think the paranormal elements from book one, would no longer be included and so the novel would be more on the contemporary side.
Can you have a series be cross-genre? Would that even work, or would one loose a lot of the readers, who love paranormal and are not keen on having most of the paranormal elements dissapear in book 2.

And does anyone have an examples of this happening, where one book is one way, and the next book veers from the genre and morphs into somehting else entirely?

I sort of have this issue with a book series that I began years ago. The first one is heavily influenced by the paranormal, with the girl suspecting herself to be possessed. In the next book, the whole aspect of that is basically obsolete. Except I did experiment by having her best friend experience some odd things. That was sort of an after thought, but I haven't even written the second book through yet. Been too side tracked with other stories.

Can a novel(series) be both Paranormal and Contemporary?

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