Novel Magic: The Visionary-Paranormal or Supernatural?

The Visionary by Pamela Thibodeaux tells a tale of healing–through what some consider supernatural means. Pam’s post offers a discussion of the distinction between the paranormal and the supernatural. Put in your two cents in Comments to enter the giveaway (or just say howdy.)

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Paranormal or Supernatural?

by Pamela Thibodeaux

 When Sorchia sent out invitations to visit her universe, my first thought was….I don’t write Fantasy, Mystery, Thrillers, SteamPunk, Medieval or Paranormal.

Then a sense of déjà vu overcame me. I’ve been here before, experienced this in some past life.

Not that far past LOL! But it has been a few years since I visited the issue of Paranormal -vs- Supernatural.

Here’s the Scoop: I don’t write Sci-Fi, fantasy, or paranormal novels. I write romance & women’s fiction with an occasional suspense thrown in (although I never intended to write that either — it just sort of showed up in the story LOL!).

Therefore I thought I’d clarify the difference in Sci-Fi, Paranormal, and Supernatural.

According to the definitions I found, Science Fiction is based on “imagined future scientific or technological advances.”(IE: Time Travel).

Paranormal is defined as, “Beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation: such paranormal phenomena as telepathy; a medium’s paranormal powers.

Considering the gift my heroine has, I guess paranormal does apply to this novel.

Here’s an Example from The Visionary, Chapter 3:

A glimpse of splendor, a glimmer of brilliance caught her eye, like fairy dust dancing on sunlight. She turned her head with caution when a pulse at the base of her skull began to throb and familiar vibrations stole over her. She lowered herself to the floor and let the sensations envelop her. Her eyesight blurred, fingers trembled and heartbeat quickened while her mind swam with images. Visions guided her hand until she filled the remainder of the sketchbook.

On the other hand, Supernatural elements, are, “manifestations or events considered to be of supernatural origin. Attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.”

These elements are present in The Visionary.

Here’s an example from Chapter 18:

Once ensconced in his apartment, Trevor allowed his emotions to run their course. Exhausted and in pain, he took a couple of pills, stretched out on the couch, fell into an uneasy slumber, and dreamed.

            He stood alone in a meadow. Two lions approached, one scraggly and unkempt, the other stately and regal. He turned as they circled in on him, closer and closer until he could almost feel their breath on his neck. One grunted, growled, and snarled. The other responded likewise. They crouched, prepared to attack, then lunged. He ducked, rolled out from beneath the tangled mass of muscle and fur, and watched them go at each other in a battle of wills. Within moments, the large, regal cat had the other pinned beneath his huge paws, his teeth clasped in the throat of his foe. He snarled, shook his head, and released the lesser animal which then pounced to his feet and ran off with his tail tucked between his legs. The big cat roared in triumph then sat, head high, and eyed Trevor.

            Trevor kept a wary eye on the lion and inched backward until a tree stopped his escape. Though his eyes followed his every step, the animal never flinched. Trevor watched and waited for him to pounce, but the lion didn’t so much as twitch a muscle. That’s when he noticed the crown. Trevor shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Sure enough the crown remained, embedded in the animal’s scalp. The crown turned to thorns. The lion’s face changed into that of Christ crucified and then back into a lion’s face.

            Trevor rubbed his eyes again and shook his head. “Who are you? What do you want?” he felt compelled to ask.

            “I am the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Come, Trevor, follow me,” the cat answered and turned to walk away.

 Read a 4-Star  Review of The Visionary HERE.

Some may consider this Sci-Fi or Fantasy, but this is an example of a supernatural experience based on the book of Joel (2:28), where the Lord says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

Meet Pamela Thibodeaux

Award-winning and multi-published author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux writes “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ romance and women’s fiction as well as creative nonfiction. Find out more by visiting her website or blog and connect with her on FB, Twitter or other SM outlets. Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE short story!

The Visionary can be purchased on Amazon in Print and for Kindle, B&N (Nook) and on Smashwords.

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PSST–See what’s coming next week.