Wednesday 29 May 2013

Guest Blogger Debbie Christiana Talks About Paranormal Writers beliefs in the Paranormal

I talk about her all the time, so it’s only right that I should entrust my blog to my good friend and amazing author, Debbie Christiana. I'm sure you'll enjoy her post as much as I did. (Check out my review of Solstice when your done).

A few weeks ago, Nana asked me a great question. Do paranormal authors believe in the supernatural characters and the world they invent and write about?

I think you need a love or passion for the unexplained. You don’t have to believe in every paranormal aspect of the story.  Its fiction and creative liberties are fun and a big part of writing.
But I think it helps drive the story if you believe some of the things could happen.

My debut novel, Twin Flames, tells a tale of reincarnation, past lives and soul mates. There is also a determined but playful ghost that lives with the heroine. Do I believe in ghosts? Yes, but sadly I’ve never seen one so I can’t say for sure that they exist. Do I believe we live more than one life and are spiritually connected to other souls? Yes. Am I positive we come back time after time to learn our life’s lessons? No. But I consider it a likelihood so writing Marc and Natalia’s love story through countless past lives over several millennia was real to me.

My new novel, Solstice, is a story of Italian witches, magic and a curse all set within a love story. Let me answer before you ask. Yes, I believe in witches and know quite a few.

The biggest mystery involving witches is the magical aspect known as witchcraft.  It’s complex and simple at the same time. Witches believe their magic comes from tapping into the powerful energy of the universe, Mother Earth and themselves. They also consider all things in nature to be connected to Mother Earth and the universe.

Could science agree with the ancient understanding of how the cosmos work? Here’s a quote from one of my favorite people in the world, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. I saw him there once and was smitten. He’s handsome, brilliant and funny.

“Recognize that the very molecules that make up your body, the atoms that construct the molecules, are traceable to the crucibles that were once the centers of high mass stars that exploded their chemically rich guts into the galaxy, enriching pristine gas clouds with the chemistry of life. So we are all connected to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, and to the rest of the universe atomically.   That makes me smile and I actually feel quite large at the end of that. It’s not that we are better than the universe; we are part of the universe. We are in the universe and universe is in us.”

Granted, Mr. Tyson’s explanation has a scientific edge to it whiles pagans and witches see it in a more spiritual way, the message speaks the same.

What’s my opinion on magic? I’ll leave you with another quote – I love quotes. Thank you everyone for spending a little of your time with me today.

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
Eden Phillipotts, 1862-1960 British author and poet

BLURB:

Time is running out for Armend Zogu. The 250-year old family curse on his head will claim him on his 30th birthday, the winter solstice.

Sofia Palmalosi is just the Strega who can save him. A descendant of a long line of powerful Italian witches, their magic was a gift bestowed on them by the Goddess Diana.

In order to break the curse, Sofia and Armend must piece together the sheet music from an old violin sonata that Armend’s ancestor wrote for his forbidden love. 

Together Sofia and Armend embark on a journey from New York to Sicily and the ancient ruins of Diana’s temple and back to New York while fighting a battle of wits and magic with a psychopath who wants them both dead and the curse intact.

If the curse doesn’t kill Armend, breaking just might.

BUY LINKS FOR SOLSTICE:


Author contact information
Twitter: @DebChristiana




21 comments:

  1. I believe in ghosts. I've seen a couple too. Too scary to write about but great DAYtime reading ;)
    A story about Italian witches also sounds interesting.

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    1. I thank God I've never seen a ghost. The book is fantastic Lynda.

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    2. Hi Lynda - I'm jealous that you've seen a ghost or two. I'd love to hear about it some time :) Thanks for stopping by!

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    3. I think Lynda should write about her ghost experiences for your Curiosities, Debbie.

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  2. Thank you so much for having me today, Nana!

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    1. You are more than welcome Debbie. Thanks for guest blogging. I feel like I've had a star on my blog.

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  3. Hi Debbie and Nana!!! Great post. I do believe that there are things in this world that just can't be explained. I do believe in ghosts. I'm fascinated by paranormal activity, even though I don't believe everything that people say regarding it. And I loved Twin Flames and I'm sure I'll love Solstice.

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    1. Hi Leslie - I don't believe everything either, you can't, but I agree, there are some pretty cool things that happen that can't be explained. Maybe they aren't supposed to be :)

      Thanks for stopping by.


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    2. Thanks Leslie, but I'm taking no credit for Debbie's great work.

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  4. "Truth" is a fairly flexible concept, as is "reality". What is absolute and concrete for one person might be absolutely meaningless to another in a different time and place. So I'm fairly careful about what I DON'T believe, because you just never know...
    Nice post, Deb! (and you too, Nana ;)

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    1. You sure do know how to make a person think Liv.

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  5. Good point, Liv. It's good to have an open mind and believe in a little of everything :) Like Roald Dahl said "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it" :)

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  6. I also tend to agree that there are many unanswered paranormal activity in the world. I definitely believe in ghosts or spirits, whatever you want to call them, good or/and bad. My mantra is not to piss them off, because they are out there. I'm Catholic and have a great devotion to the saints, and if you read about the mysticism of the Catholic Church, it'll blow you away. The church doesn't like to talk about that aspect too much, but it's pretty awesome.

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  7. An add on, my children and my skeptical husband has seen a few spirit ghosts right here in our house. If you met my hubby, you'd have to believe him. He's not a jokester.

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    1. Hi Cathy, being from a large Italian family I was raised Catholic and the church is steeped in mystery and mysticism. It's very interesting and I don't know why they aren't open to it more. It reflects how different the times were in early beginnings of the church 2000 yrs ago and is really part of their history of the church. They should embrace it. Back then people were much more open to the mystical side of things.

      My husband loves St. Christopher and he isn't even Catholic ;) He travels a lot for his job or he used to too and always had a medal of St. Christopher with him.

      If you'd ever like to write a guest post for my CURIOSITIES feature about you're husband's sighting, let me know. I have to say it's a really popular post on my blog. Always a lot of views. You can coordinate it to you're book release.

      Thanks for stopping by ;)



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    2. Hi Cathy. I too am Catholic. Years ago when I was interested in ghosts and spirits and the like, my uncle who's a priest, told me to focus on this life. I'll deal with that one when the time comes. I thought it was sage advice.

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  8. Very interesting topic and discussion here, Nana and Debbie. I made a comment on this blog that I don't like to read novels or books with witchcraft involved. I have my reasons. Y

    Yes, ghosts exist though I have not seen before. Recently I buried my father in my country. He was a chief and so was laid in state for two days. On the second day around 4.00 pm, his spirit or ghost entered some of his family members who spoke just like him telling the gathering about the circumstances leading to his death and what he wanted to be done.

    Believe it or not, I was one of those who were possessed.

    About witchcraft, I think Debbie's definition or explanation is has rather simplified the whole phenomenon. In Africa here it is no joke at all. They can cause destruction and death, and can be responsible for poverty, diseases, broken marriages and many more. Of course, these things are spiritual and therefore it is difficult to prove in a court of law. suffice to say that witches are not my favourite people and it is only my strong belief in God that has kept me to this day.

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  9. Hi Readinpleasure - I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I lost my dad last year and it's tough. How interesting about his spirit visiting your family.

    I will be the first to admit I know nothing about African witchcraft. My knowledge is of North/South American and European/Asian paganism which include Native Americans here, Buddhists, Wiccans and many different belief systems. Of those groups, most members, not all, are passive, nature loving and tolerant welcoming the people who are excluded from mainstream society.

    I'm a believer that you are a human being first and your religion second. If you're not a nice person you won't be a good Christian, Jew, Muslim or Witch/Pagan. People have always hidden behind their religion to get their own radical, intolerant and hurtful message out there. And they always will. Any religion is only as good or bad as the person practicing it.

    I agree, I definitely simplified it - it's far too complex to go into for a fictional story written for fun and entertainment.

    I'm so glad you stopped by and gave us all a different view. It's always good to see other peoples opinions and life experiences. That's how we all learn.


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    1. Wow Celestine and Debbie. Those comments could have been posts on their own. Two different opinions about the same topic. Both correct. Right?

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  10. A great question, and a good answer. Being able to look for possibilities, even if you don't believe in them fully, is a good start for a writer.

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    1. I wonder how you would answer the question Rinelle. Considering that you are fantasy writer.

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I love reading your comments.