Hey there Paranormal Peeps!
Lisa here… I got a strange homework assignment from my agent recently. We’re working on a new proposal and she asked me to watch more TV! LOL
I have to admit, since I started down my publishing path I have become a HORRIBLE television watcher. Back in the day I watched every episode of Angel and ER and this wasn’t on DVR. No way! I was home in front of the TV religiously for those shows! LOL
So I’m very rusty, but there are shows I have been wanting to watch, and here was a perfect opportunity to make the time.
I started with Grimm Season 1. OMG I love this show! I think the premise is so clever!
If you haven’t caught it yet, the hero is a descendant of the GRIMM fairy tale brothers, only the fairy tales were true! And it’s up to him to locate these fairy tale creatures when they go bad and eliminate them.
But not every creature is evil and I love that the show toys with that notion. He’s a police detective and really does his best to protect the ones who are good and go after the bad ones.
There’s also a series long plot-line about the police chief and his involvement, but no spoilers here! LOL
Anyway, as a paranormal author, I love shows that are clever and take something we thought we knew and twist it into something new! So if you haven’t seen it, definitely check it out! You can watch the pilot on Amazon Prime for free!
Next up, my agent recommended the SyFy show, Defiance. 
I’m not a huge sci-fi buff, but I gave it a shot… And I’m in LOVE!!!
If you haven’t seen it yet, this is another one that the pilot episode is available to Amazon Prime members for free.
The basic idea is that the aliens came to earth and we all went to war, but in Defiance (It used to be St. Louis. The banged up arch is still there!) humans and aliens live together in peace.
The hero is a drifter who saved an alien girl and raised her as his daughter. He ends up becoming a Lawkeeper and the story takes off from there! I really love the story-lines and the amazing looking aliens! Have you seen this one yet?
How does this relate to writing?
I think tv shows have a great way of weaving through a “series plot-line” that gets furthered with each episode. If we think about book series, sure the hero and heroine might get together at the end of the book, but the series plot-line will continue on. I know I’ve learned a lot from these shows about continuing the plot thread without letting it take over.
So after this project is over I’m going to try to keep up with these shows and remember that a little “me” time is always a good idea! 🙂
Do you watch Grimm and/or Defiance? Are there other amazing shows I should watch?
Thanks for tuning in!
Lisa 🙂
Paranormal Unbound 
Hi Lisa. I have to admit to watching more TV since I retired recently. I love Grimm, but I can’t get into Defiance for some reason. If you like UF, check out the first two seasons of “Lost Girl”.
I’ve heard great things about Lost Girl!!! I might have to try to catch up on that show… 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa
I’m a bit behind on Defiance, but I did enjoy the first few episodes.I thought they were doing a pretty darned good of making each episode a self-contained story while still slowly developing the larger plot. Granted, they have a huge world to work with that’s already been fleshed out for the video game.
I didn’t even know Defiance was a video game too!!! LOL I’m not a gamer either, but that’s kind of interesting to have the show and the game growing at the same time… 🙂
It’s a great show! I love the political dynamics and the diversity of the city along with the struggles that come with it… Great writing!
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa
Lisa–this is a great insight about TV series and book series arcs! I prefer book series that have an over arching plot. Otherwise, I tend to tire of the world.
I’m wrapping up my Blood Vine series with the third book that is going off to the publisher this week, and it’s been quite a challenge to tie up every conflict in a satisfying way–its pushed me to grow as an author to be able to manage a plot that grew to epic proportions (at least by PNR standards).
I too rarely watch TV anymore. I used to do a lot of mindless chores like fold the laundry there, and now I just neglect chores to write! But I am planning to start the Vampires Diaries this week.
Ha! That’s exactly where I’ve been watching my TV Amber! LOL Folding laundry is perfect for TV watching… And then the chores don’t seem so long and boring! Woot!
I’m very curious about vampire diaries… Let me know what you think about it!
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa 🙂
Big Vampire Diaries fan over here. Lisa, you definitely need to watch it. I haven’t seen most of the most recent season and can’t wait to catch up. And please tell me you’re watching True Blood! 🙂
Oh Celia I watch every episode of True Blood!!! Love it!!! 🙂 But I think I need to jump in to Vampire Diaries…
Hey Lisa long time no see. We haven’t seen Grimm, perhaps we should A similar premise to Grimm is Jasper fford’s books on the Nursery Crime series, also a police officer. I do get inspiration from tv for writing, could be anything, just seeing something in a new light. If you want to learn to do twists and surprises, Scandal is the show to watch (one of the best programs ever on TV)
Hey Sue!!! *waving*
Great to see you!!! 🙂 I haven’t even heard of Scandal! I’ll have to check it out… Thanks for the recommendation!
*HUGS*
Lisa 🙂
Glad someone mentioned “Lost Girl,” since it’s got to be one of the best paranormal shows I’ve seen that really has fun playing with old research, myth, and legend. I’m also a big fan of “Haven” which is based on “The Colorado Kid” by Stephen King. Haven’t read the book, but really enjoy the characters who are all touched by the supernatural, and a town where many are “troubled” by unusual supernatural-type afflictions / conditions. Lots of fun.
is Haven still on? I loved the show as well and based one of my characters on emily rose
I think Haven is still on… I guess I’ll know soon when I get caught up on it! LOL
Lisa 🙂
Yes. Work is starting on Season 4, which is being shot in Halifax – apparently with plans to reveal what happened after the cliffhanger. I’ve been watching it on Showcase here in Canada. Duke’s my favorite. 🙂
re: Haven – I think we stopped watching it at some point. I’m in Canada too. Yeah think I have to agree about Duke 😀
You know I started watching Haven during the first season and then I got so behind I gave up…. (Remember I’m a horrible tv watcher! LOL) But I should go back and finish the first season and catch up.. it was a really cool concept!
THanks so much for commenting!
Lisa 🙂
Hi Miss Lisa!!! I’m a HUGE GRIMM and Defiance fan, and think both these shows are done so incredibly well woth all the effects and different creature or aliens. The premise for both is very fresh and undone. I’m also a Haven fan and can’t wait until it comes back this Fall. If you haven’t seen it, you probably should. I was a Lost Girl watcher for the first season, but after that, I lost all interest. I’m looking forward to Dracula, this fall, and wondering just how well a production it will be.
Hi Phyllis!!! *Waving*
You’re right about the effects! They’re really great for both shows… I love all the aliens on Defiance… Very cool and sort of creepy… 🙂
And I started watching Haven when it first came on and then lost track of when it was on… I’ll have to go back and finish up the first season.. I really enjoyed it! Creepy cool show… 🙂
Thanks so much for coming by to comment!
Lisa 🙂
Sigh. My TV watching has been mostly absent lately. I need to rectify that…sometime. I haven’t watched “Grimm” but I love the idea behind it and keep hearing how well it’s done.
I highly recommend Grimm and Defiance! 🙂 And who knew I’d get a homework assignment to watch more TV! LOL But it definitely helped on this new project I’ve been working on… Woot! 🙂
Thanks for commenting Suzanne!
Lisa
I hardly watch any tv anymore, I do prefer my books. My TBR is so gigantic. But I do love giving recommendations to my boyfriend, who is a tv series addict.
I can relate Aurian! 🙂
I’d recommend Grimm and Defiance for your boyfriend! I’m enjoying them both! Does he watch True Blood too?
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa
Hi Lisa, fun post! I watch both Grimm and Defiance. I used to watch Lost Girl but my DVR “forgot” to tape an entire season and I lost track of that one. As mentioned above, definitely check out Vampire Diaries and True Blood. And I cannot wait for Dracula to start! Lastly, if you want to go old school (as in: no longer on TV) for some sci-fi fun, I’d recommend Firefly and Farscape.
OMG I can’t wait for Dracula to start!!! Doesn’t that show look amazing???
I also saw a promo for Sleepy Hollow that looks pretty interesting too…
Thanks for commenting!!! 🙂
Lisa
PS – I’m definitely a True Blood watcher too! 🙂