There are so very many elements an author can add to a novel that carry it into the genre of paranormal. The list of factors is only limited by the imagination.
And who would ever want to limit imagination?
When I’m reading, one of my favorite elements of a paranormal romance novel genre is shape shifters. Whether it’s an element of epic or lighthearted proportion in the paranormal novel, I always find it fascinating how authors choose to portray this type of character.
Harry Potter is a prime example for shifter characterization even though the books aren’t usually found on the romance side of paranormal…
But since our family kicks off summer with a movie marathon and this year (after much lobbying) we’re enjoying the rediscovery of J.K. Rowling’s great paranormal adventures through the movies (and we’re re-reading the books too).
So with shifters on my mind anyway, Harry Potter 3 seemed like a prime example to use here.
Rowling looked at shifters of both the werewolf and animagus varieties. I like both elements of the paranormal novel and the way Rowling used them to illustrate change by choice and change by circumstance.
Taking that to an emotional level, Rowling added the ‘belief’ factor of change within characters through her use of the boggart. The belief of the spell caster is critical to successfully shifting the the ‘boggart’ from something fearful to something conquered by humor.
All of Rowling’s shape shifter elements of the paranormal novel – romance or not – were put to excellent, creative use, thanks to her wide open imagination.
So far, I’ve not addressed shape shifters as an element of paranormal romance novels, but I’m up for the fun, should my imagination lead me that direction some day…
Live the adventure!
