Dec 9, 2010

Jill Myles - Guest Blog and Contest

Today PVN welcomes Jill Myles author of the bestselling Succubi series. Jill has some interesting info on the succubi myth that will be of interest to readers and writers. She is also offering a fabulous contest for 5 lucky winners.

[See contest details at end of post]
[This contest is closed. Thanks to everyone who participated.]

Changing Mythology to Make Your Book Work

Way back in the day, I decided to write a book about a succubus.  In a genre full of soulmates and men driven to possess their woman, I liked the idea of turning the tables and making the woman the one with the need. However, the more I read about succubi, the more I was a little…concerned.
Let me share some of my findings with you. Succubi? Female demons. That’s easy enough to handle, right? Further reading tells me that succubi are:
In folklore traced back to medieval legend, a succubus (plural succubi) is a female demon who takes the form of a human woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual intercourse.[1] In modern times, a succubus may or may not appear in dreams and is often depicted as a highly attractive seductress or enchantress, while in the past succubi were generally depicted as frightening and demonic. (Wikipedia)
Well! *Nervous laugh* One always loves a challenge, right?
Then I read this:
[A] succubus collects semen from the men she seduces. The incubi or male demons then use the semen to impregnate human females,[9] thus explaining how demons could apparently sire children despite the traditional belief that they were incapable of reproduction. Children so begotten – cambions – were supposed to be those that were born deformed, or more susceptible to supernatural influences. (Heinrich Kramer, Malleus Maleificarum)
After reading that, I was certainly rethinking my plans of “SEXY TIMES AHOY”. I mean…how can you possibly make a character like that sexy? A sperm stealer? Who gives the sperm to incubi so they can make deformed babies?
In a word, gross.
So I had a decision to make. Was I going to stick with traditional lore for my story? Or was I going to go out on my own? In the end, I decided to go out on my own. And since I was changing the very nature of succubi, I decided to change…everything.
For example!
The traditional idea of an angel:















My idea of an angel:


















The traditional idea of a vampire:
















My idea of a vampire:
















Needless to say, I think you should do what you have to do to bring the sexy to your story. And I like my idea better than the traditional ones, don’t you? ;)



CONTEST


For 5 winners, Jill will give away a copy of each of the book in the series:

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, Succubi like it Hot and My Fair Succubi.

*To enter the contest all you have to do is make a comment on Jill's post.

*The contest is open to US residents only. No P.O. Box please. 

*Contest ends 12-23-2010 midnight PST.

*Be sure your email address is associated with your comment.

41 comments:

SiNn said...

I love your idea of angel and vamps! i have to say Jill Your books have been on my wish list for a while great post


mortalsinn@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Yes I like that you went your own way. I for one would have nver know the real folklore about it to begin with.

I'd love to win a copy!!

christina101092@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'd like to win this for my daughter. She'd just love this book! Thanks for the giveaway!!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I generally like where ever the author takes a book, I mean their are times I wish someone had done something different, but I think it was smart to play it your way and you could do a lot more with it, with leaving research behind.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'd love to read your series. It would be new to me, but it sounds very intersting, I didn't even know what a succubi was before your post. very intriquing!

chirth7(at)yahoo(dot)com

debbie said...

I am very glad you changed it. It sounds like an infertility clinic from, well, somewhere, you don't want to be. I much prefer your version. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

booklover0226 said...

Jill,

Boy, have angels and vampires come a long way!?!?!?

Do you work with one particular cover artist? How long does it take to create a cover?

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

SandyG265 said...

I have no problem with an author changing folklore to fit into a story.

Julia said...

Hi Jill, thanks for the give away! I've heard so many great things about your books, but it may just be the "mythology breakdown" you provided above that hooks me. I laughed a little bit of coffee up my nose when I scrolled from Nosferatu to your idea of a vampire, fabulous!

julia(dot)payne(at)gmail(dot)com

Dot S.(ladeetdareads.wordpress.com) said...

Hi Jill, Oh Yeah! I DO like your version of our paranormal friends much better than the old yucky versions. I'd love to win and learn more.

salvagin@verizon.net

Heather said...

I honestly like reading books that take a different approach to the same old same story/traditions. It's refreshing to read a new perspective on things.

The covers are very nice.

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. I love the sound of your books. I would love to read them. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

JenM said...

I think you can change a legend however you like to suit your story. After all, it's not like the legend is real either and after all, you are writing fiction, not a textbook. Best wishes with your books.

jen(at)delux(dot)com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Jill! So far, I love your ideas : ) What's your idea for a werewolf? How about a dragon?

US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Angela McCallister said...

And that's the beauty of fiction! You get to create the world that suits you best. I'm excited to read this series :)

catslady said...

I love variety and every author can tell her story her way - oh and what gorgeous covers!!!!

catslady5(at)aol.com

CC said...

I prefer Jill's ideas of an Angel and Vampire!
tcty123@yahoo.com

Cathy M said...

That's why I love paranormal romances so much. The imagination is the limit, and turning demons and vampires into sexy heroes just works for me.

Happy Holidays Jill

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Your ideas are so much better then tradition Jill! Thank you for the post.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

A said...

These books look really interesting, I'd love to win.

anastasia.trombly[at]gmail[dot]com

Jennifer said...

Your changes to vampire and angel mythology are awesome. Totally agree on the sperm stealer thing...really nasty. LOL

BookNoise at gmail dot com

Asylumgirl said...

Interesting info on succubi. I for one am glad you changed it to suit your books. Sexy is always better than frightening. lol
Either way, succubi and incubi are intriguing to the imagination.

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Jill Myles said...

Hi everyone! Sorry I'm soooo late to seeing this - long day at work!

TracyD - this is going to sound disappointing, but my editor picks an artist and she and the art team make the cover! I only see it when it's done. :) Luckily when I tell them what the characters look like, they're able to come up with a great look for them that matches my vision. :)

Virginia - I have a book coming out next year that touches on werewolves, so I can't reveal TOO much. No dragons (yet!) though. :)

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

OH wow, what a wonderful giveaway! Please count me in! This is awesome!!!

And I truly do love angels and vampires and demons and all sort of wicked creatures of the night!!! Makes for interesting stories!!!

alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

Tanya1224 said...

I'm so glad you went with your idea. Sperm stealer definitely equals grossness. I love your covers too. I love reading Fiction, if I want the gory truth I'd just go to the library ;)
Please enter me in this contest. Thanks!
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julie S said...

I think changing the lore is quite fair when you're writing a piece of modern fiction. Reinventing creatures can be a lot more fun to do and to read about than the same old thing. :)

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Luckily everyone doesn't see Vamps or Angles the same way. Thank goodness, just think how boring if every writer told their story based on the same idea of vamps or angles. I'd love to win a copy.

I follow on GFC.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

whitewolfreads said...

It is definitely an interesting take on the angel/vampire mythos. Very glad you stayed away from the sperm stealing idea.

spettolij AT gmail DOT com

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

I'm a fan of succubi and would love to read this series!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I love the idea of angels and vampires, adjusting the mythology to the needs of your series! Can't wait to try your series!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Dottie :)
gymmom_027@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Your books sound great. Changing mythology just makes things more fun and new :)

wyrdragon(at)verizon(dot)net

GabbyHunter200105 said...

I am so glad that you went on your own. I love you'r version better. I love your versin of angel & vampire. SOOO HOT!!!! This is by far one of my favorite series to read.I actually have the series on my christmas list. I can not wait for more. Thanks for the giveaway

marian said...

love is series!!! would love to win!!

mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Krissyp8 said...

OMG, I love this series so much. Zane is my favorite Vamp of all time. I hope I win.

Krissy Phillips

Lindsey said...

I love this series. I love that while is is still mythology based it is also not the typical mythology we so often see. I'm a huge mythology buff. You're a Rockstar Jill!

Lindseyandrichie(at)msn(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for the book to come out! charlene.fraley@yahoo.com

Meredith said...

I also like your ideas about angels and vamps. Vamps don't always have to be the sexy hero in the story!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Natalia J said...

yay I am glad you went with your idea. It is so much better from the truth.

Natalia J

neoterragoddess@gmail.com

katsrus said...

Love your book covers. Would love a chance to read your books. They sound interesting.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Laurie T said...

Wow, this series sounds great. Love the covers! And I agree with Jill, her ideas are a lot hotter!

Great giveaway.

Laurie

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

I'm excited to have won! :) Looking forward to reading these.