PART 2

Lana: And speaking of starting points, what inspires you guys when you write, dark? For me, it's pinterest and dark music. Usually I beat up Sims for some good dark, twisted recs

Simone: Reading about it is a must! See how the pros handle the topic. Although, that being said, I find it much easier to write dark stuff than I do read it, and I don't get the same punch. Maybe it's because I know how it's going to work out?

Lana: Yes! Reading is super important. Familiarize yourself with the genre. Know what you like to read and what you just can't.

Simone: I NEED music to write any sort of scene, but dark themed music is a must to get me in the mood for darkness

Nicolette: Finding inspiration for me is usually through music. Or sometimes watching movies.

Lana: I'm a baby so...I get panicked easily. Things I consider dark probably wouldn't make most people bat an eyelash BUT THEY ARE DARK OKAY. Like I consider that movie Hercules by Disney to be darkish. IT MAKES MY HEART HURT. And Hunchback of Notre Dame, don't even get me started.

Simone: And Pinterest is a godsend. Seriously, if someone could invent a way to turn a Pinterest board into a story, I would love them 5ever (that's a very long time, if you can't tell).

Nicolette: And on occasion just thinking up horrible things and finding stories to fit around it.

Lana: That movie basically is a dark thriller romance in a nutshell

Simone: There is an entire song about a priest feeling "tempted" by heroine — I think dark is a safe bet haha

Lana: And Bridge to Terrabithia. That is a fucking dark romance. I don't care what anyone says

Nicolette: I heard the actual story behind the hunchback of Notre Dame doesn't end well. (spoiler alert everyone dies)

Lana: I bawled like a little bitch on that movie, I kid you not. I have NEVER been so blindsided. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CUTE!!!!

Simone: I like reading into nice movies and imagining dark relationships between people behind the scenes, because I'm a weirdo

Nicolette: I forgot about the creepy priest in Hunch Back! OH MY GLOB. So much about who am just fell into place. I love that song.

Lana: Haha, like your favorite

LAna: The novel that shall not be named

Simone: Like I don't care what anyone says, Tybalt and Juliet had some serious vibes going on, even though they were cousins.

Simone: At least in the Douglas Booth version of the movie. That I couldn't finish.

Lana: ACtully your rationalizing of the novel that shall not be named, made me think of it in a different way

Simone: Wait, which novel that shall not be named???

Lana: you were like "NIKKI. NIKKI LISTEN. IT'S A DARK ROMANCE. DUH"

Lana: A novel about a certain vampire and a stalking obsession.

Nicolette: I do the same thing, where I see darker currents in movies and books that aren't there on the surface.

Lana: You were like "If you think of it this way, it's brilliant." and I was like..."Son of abitch"

Lana: It made sense

Nicolette: I thought it was that one. I'm sorry, (not really) any book where a vampire is involved in a romance, I cannot say that's NOT a dark romance.

Simone: I still have no clue what one you're talking about!! Hahaha!

Lana: Omg. A vampire novel. Who liked to watch the MC sleep???!??!

Nicolette: How can you be in love with someone who craves your blood and not call it a dark romance.

LAna: HAHAHA NICOLE!!!

Simone: Are you talking about Twilight? I never had to rationalise that one to you LOL

Lana: You like explained it in a different way

Lana: You were like "In my thinking it's like this." You made it all make sense and shit

Simone: Noooo, that was the day I told you it could have been a figment of Bella's imagination because she was mentally ill and so lonely, she dreamed up this dude and then committed suicide in the end, remember?

Lana: Like basically you made me think of it as a dark romance rather than a normal romance

Simone: And then I totally rationalised it by using all these different indicators

Lana: LOL

LAna: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING YOU DERP

Simone: Using my English degree for the powers of good, of course

Nicolette: greatest fan theory ever.

Simone: Random trivia, but I actually did a module on Vampires & Sexual themes in college

Lana: Because of course you did

Simone: Actually it was Lesbian Vampires & Sexuality

Simone: I was late signing up!!!!

Lana: I read Dracula in college

Simone: I had to read Lair of the White Worm which was horrific, by the way

Simone: And I thought a mongoose was an actual goose, so I couldn't understand why geese were being used to kill snakes

Nicolette: *dies*

Lana: No comment

Simone: I think Lana was the one who actually told me the truth lmao

Simone: Actually, one of the books I had to read was called Carmella or Carmelita or something

Simone: And now that one was dark romance

Simone: This like older vampire lady was totally preparing her little protégé

Simone: It was super kinky for an old book

Lana: While we're on the topic, name your favorite romance that you would classify as dark.

Simone: I just realised I read an awful lot of creepy erotica for school, haha.

Nicolette: Do we have to pick one?

Lana: Hurray for education!

Simone: CRESCENDO

Lana: Oh you.

Simone: Or Dirty Angels, if Lana makes me change my answer

Lana: DIRTY ANGELS YOU STOLE MINE

Simone: hey I'm the one who told you to read it

Lana: You know how much I love that book

Lana: YOU KNOW

Lana: Karina Halle is just.... *.*

Simone: Haha, that book is what made me see that dark things were possible, hey *.*

Nicolette: Ok mine are mostly Dark Fantasy Romance: I just finished one called Sebastian about an Incubus. There's The Kushiel's Trilogy (Kushiel's Dart is the first one) about a girl who feels pain as pleasure. it's AMAZING. And then there's the Black Jewels Trilogy. Basically anything by Anne Bishop, has a hint of darkness and romance.

Simone: Actually, the Esteban story she posted on Wattpad has one of my fav dark scenes ever

Simone: There was a sexy scene with a gun and some penetration O.O

Lana: I love it because Javier is just so...unapologetically bad, but still has a soul underneath that doesn't seem contrived.

Lana: I love that book so much. *.*

Lana: I READ KUSHIEL'S UM...THE THIRD ONE. I liked it

Lana: Kushiel's something

Nicolette: OH KUSHIEL'S AVATAR!! SHIT GETS REAL IN THAT ONE!

Simone: Oh is Kushiel's Dart a dark romance?!

Lana: because I skip books like a champ

Simone: Should I read it?

Lana: It's fantasy I think you'll like

Simone: Is there angst in it? You know how I like to make myself cry like a baby

Lana: I also love Scarred Souls series by Tillie Cole

Nicolette: It's dark fantasy erotic romance. There's some angst but not a lot. In the second trilogy there's tons of it

Lana: Another "darkish" fantasy is Poison Study. You already know how much I love it.

Simone: I know all about your Tillie Cole obsession

Lana: Poison, hot mens, magic. It's the trifecta.

Simone: I love Poison Study!!

Lana: It's not an obsession if it's true love

Simone: I'll take it, Nicole!

Lana: I even read her lighter stuff, shhhh

Nicolette: I think we need to compile a list for reference cause I need to update my goodreads after this chat.

Lana: Um, other dark romances I love. Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Lana: Anything by Kresley Cole really

Simone: OH HER NEW BOOK IS OUT IN LIKE 2 DAYS

Simone: It's gonna be her darkest one yet [Edit: It wasn't. Sad face.]

Lana: Eeek!

Simone: That reminds me, i think I need to preorder

Lana: Also, while we're at it, let's mention our favorite darkest shows/movies

Lana: Byzantium. Byzantium. Byzantium. The end.

Nicolette: I just watched Dark Mirror on Netflix. SO GOOD.

Lana: Favorite show is either Damages or Daredevil. Both are perfect for dark, depraved, violent inspiration with hints of hope sprinkled throughout.

Lana: THAT DISTURBED ME

Lana: SO MUCH

Lana: It made me think, but maaaaan that stuff if heavy. I don't think I liked it, but yeah that it totally just eye-opening dark social commentary.

Simone: My brain just went blank, lol! I did watch an old film Abandon the other night for Virtue inspiration, but that isn't that dark

Nicolette: That's why I liked it. I love social commentary and super crazy stuff like that. I'm trying to think of more stuff but I am drawing a blank.

Lana: I think the worst one was the one where the girl just wanted to be a singer. And her friend paid for her to go on the show. But it just totally ruined her innocence and sold it back to the people.

Simone: Does Sons of Anarchy count as being dark? I'm in the middle of that at the minute

Lana: I actually cried at the end. Legit tears. I am hopeless.

Nicolette: That one was heartwrenching for sure

Nicolette: Oh Se7en. Stil LOVE that movie.

Lana: Okay, so both of your guys. Use the darkest imagery possible to pitch one of your novels in ten words or less. GO!

Lana: Never saw that one!

Lana: And yes Sims, I think Sons is considered dark. O.O

Nicolette: Heart of Thorns: (Sample chapters here on @Malice_Authors) Girls are dying one by one, their hearts carved out.

*.*

Simone: Nightfire: Girl is almost eaten alive by insane werewolf dude

Simone: I blanked, I'm sorry LOL

Lana: And you're the one I go to for summary advice

Simone: Just one of my many changes

Simone: You always give me something to work with first! Haha

Stay tuned for Friday's Chat with guest participant @deathofcool, who will be chatting all about how to include vampires into your novel.  

Have a topic you want to see discussed?  Let us know down below and stay tuned!  New chats every Monday and Friday.