Everyone needs a framework, whether it’s building a house or doing the world building for paranormal romance novels. Readers need a reference point, a way to relate to both the setting and the story the characters are venturing through.

When you pick up a sci-fi novel, you expect it to show you brand new devices, far-off foreign places, and unique characters and creatures. An author has no limits, as long as the reader can relate and ‘see’ the situations, equipment, etc. That takes a deft hand and much behind the scenes world building to pull it off seamlessly in the story.

When you’re using a real-world setting, you can definitely take liberties, but you also have a responsibility to work within the framework of reality. (beyond just sticking with the laws of nature)

In The Matchmaker’s Mark, the first of my new paranormal romance series set in Charleston, South Carolina, I took some liberties within the city setting, but I worked to make it resonate with people familiar with the area.

One of my favorite comments from readers is that they recognized the Mexican restaurant where Lily and her brother Cade confronted a werewolf. It makes me happy to know that while I renamed the actual restaurant, the locals knew just where I was talking about.

Named Mama Rita’s in my fictional world, the massive burritos, layout of the place, and glowing reputation is all very much the same as it is in the real world.

Authors do that all the time -in every genre of writing – taking a real place and moving their characters through it. After all, the reality we’re living in is the most familiar framework available to us personally or through extensive research. The goal is that our characters add richness and depth to an area readers know well or can experience vicariously.

When I use real places in my futuristic Shadows of Justice series or in the contemporary Matchmaker series, I do it for myself – as a framework – but also for the reader. That familiarity is both a touchstone and a springboard for my imagination and the adventure that follows.

Live the adventure!

As a paranormal romance author I like to think of world building for a paranormal romance novel as a process of adding in the extra spark, giving the reader a pleasant jolt or dark surprise.

As a fan of Nora Roberts, I have to bow to world building so effective it makes me change my routine. You may think that sounds silly, but it’s true!

Usually when I’m working on one of my paranormal romance novels, I read either historical romance or I re-read favorite books that have become like old friends.

Lately Nora’s Bride Quartet (Vision in White, Bed of Roses, Savor the Moment, and Happy Ever After) fit the bill perfectly.

So how can the world building Roberts applies for her popular contemporary romance novels actually change my real world routine?

I believe it’s because she does such a fine job with the details. A reader gets swept away until you can see the sparkle on the gowns, feel the happy buzz of champagne, and catch the scent of lilies and freshly baked cake in the air.

More, Roberts’ makes you feel it – in your heart – and an engaged reader just sort of slips into her well-crafted fantasy. Even the workout habits of the four are part of the world building. And if you’re not careful, a reader could actually pick up some good advice along the way.

We all need fresh air, close friends, and exercise. As I read about Parker encouraging Mac to add cardio to her fitness routine, I think, ‘yeah me too’. Fictional Mac might be preparing for her fictional wedding, but in reality fitness matters and she makes it seem manageable and almost appealing.

When Roberts incorporates something so simple, and incorporates it so smoothly, you almost don’t realize you’re getting tips, much less expert world building for the novel itself.

I believe writers should follow that same example and look for opportunities to add the details to the world building for paranormal romance novels – or any genre – so the story will come alive for the reader.

The workout room is part of the routine of the foursome in the Bride Quartet, but it’s more than that. It gives that added layer, provides another glimpse into each character’s development, as well as their relationships with the other characters.

It’s lovely really. And re-reading the Bride Quartet while I use my stair machine and let my own story percolate in the back of my head means my thighs should be in great shape by the time my next paranormal romance novel comes out this spring.

Live the adventure!

Alert! Debra Webb is hosting a special holiday party at the MurderSheWrites blog today and readers get the presents! Free ebooks to every visitor today and Debra is also running a kindle/nook giveaway. Please  stop by and join the fun with Debra, Peggy Webb and me too!

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Yes, I’m at it again. Comparing decorating and changes in real life to world building for paranormal romance novels. But I can’t help it, because I’m in a festive spirit with the holidays (and the new release of Shadows to Light). Besides, it’s possible some insight here might resonate with you too. (hey, I’m allowed my delusions)

When it comes to world building for novels or reality, you can’t beat a change in decor or the addition of festive decorations to help set a mood. Used correctly, even a little change-up can have a big effect in either real life or in the story you want to bring to life for your readers.

Around here, we traditionally put up our tree and decorate the house on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I like to get as much mileage as possible from the extensive holiday decor I’ve collected through the years.

This year, because everyone seemed to be suffering from prolonged trypophan-induced lethargy, we waited until Saturday. Which turned out to be especially beneficial for our Thanksgiving company who escaped before we discovered numerous bulbs were burned out on our pre-lit tree.

I won’t get into the hazards or hardships involved in fixing that issue, I’ll merely shout a very enthused “Thank you, honey” to my husband for his extreme patience. (I wanted to replace the tree, but I was out voted).

This year, Saturday was the last day our daughter would be around to help decorate and she and I worked to make the front porch festive while my husband got our inflatable Mickey Mouse Santa ready to go.

Since we were short on time, my daughter and I focused on the simple things that would make the most impact because we both wanted the job done quickly but effectively. Time didn’t allow for icicle lights dripping from every edge of our house.

Instead, I believe we created a warm and welcome holiday mood with our Mickey Mouse Santa, oversized ornaments hanging from plant hooks, a tall stack of wrapped “presents” guarded by a pair of nutcrackers, and a twinkling wreath on the front door.

It’s a simple world we built for our holiday spirit, it sets a happy mood for visitors and that’s exactly what we wanted.

World building for paranormal romance novels feels much the same to me. Choosing a focal point that makes a big impact, even if the item or trait itself is rather small. It all comes down to using whatever that focal point is in your novel for the best enjoyment of the reader.

So as you’re decorating for your holiday experience, try to keep that same eye for detail in mind as you write. And be sure whatever the detail is, that your reader can see and feel the difference it has on the characters and their journey.

Live the adventure!

Be sure to visit the MurderSheWrites blog today where I’m a special guest of Debra Webb!

Here’s one of my favorite lights set to music displays – just for fun!

With each new book I release, I like to think I get a little better with the process. The writing production, the editing, the beta readers, the editing, the proofreaders, the editing, the cover art, the editing, the beta reviewers, the line editing, and finally the formatting.

It’s hysterical that I often think I don’t spend that much time in edits because I edit quite a bit during my writing process. But I think that’s simply a delusion I’ve built into the world building for my paranormal romance novels.

New paranormal romance novel Shadows to Light now on Kindle!

Not only do I build worlds for my characters to play in, but I’ve spent time world building in my office environment so I can keep up the creative energy. Perspective (like editing denial) is vital for authors these days. Perspective and knowing what works for us as we create.

I blog frequently about how wonderful it is to write at my grandma’s desk. Let me assure you, Shadows to Light wouldn’t be available today without the mysterious miracle of productivity that occurs at Grandma’s desk. There’s one picture of her there and when I’m lost or discouraged, I look up and remember one of her motivational sayings. Like, “perfection may be impossible, but you should always strive for it!”

Intimidating? Somewhat, I admit. But it’s true. And it is so her. And the best news is, I don’t get hung up on perfection in the creative process anymore. See, more of that perspective that develops when you take the time to do a little world building to support your writing process.

The sheer willpower and determination my grandma applied to every aspect of her life are now a touchstone in the world building for the paranormal romance novels I create. To the point that I reframe the dreaded editing process to keep myself sane. LOL

But seriously, Grandma’s life example is an inspiration to me to make each book better than the last for my readers and each release  event a bit less stressful. (Pipe dreams are still dreams, right?)

Live the adventure!

When it comes to world building for a paranormal romance novel, there isn’t a better example of the effect of setting and mood than decorating for the holidays. Seriously, what better time for a writer to consider all the little details that transform a place from the everyday to the festive.

The route to my daughter’s boarding school went right through one of those blink and you’ll miss it kind of small towns. A tidy little place with a defined and well kept Main Street, it always made me smile to drive through during the winter. Wreaths on every lamp post, lights on the ornamental trees in the island beds that separated the lanes. Big red ribbons on shop doors, poinsettias of every color in pots along the sidewalks.

Small changes, big effect.

I admire Nora Roberts for her ability to write those big family scenes that just make you feel like you’re right there in the mix, surrounded by friends. Her deft touch, knowing just what to highlight or emphasize adds layers of delight or importance to moments big and small in her novels. As an only child, those scenes sort of mesmerize me.

It’s the same sort of table dressing that creates a world your reader can sink into and savor. Think about the traditions, the changes, the little things you do that your family values and consider those same sort of details for your characters and their stories. Your reader will thank you when the world building for your paranormal romance novel makes them feel included in the action.

Of course, however you might decorate and celebrate, the holiday season is now officially in full swing (no matter that retailers thought so weeks ago). I do hope you’ll consider adding books and ebooks to your shopping list for those you love.There are a variety of ways to give books from independent booksellers to the big box stores, as well as a variety of ways to send ebooks.

Whether through Amazon, B&N, Smashwords or another online retailer, ebooks can be a delightful surprise for the readers you might want to spoil this season.

Which of course brings me to a last bit of housekeeping before December is upon us. I’d like to congratulate the following winners for each of the NYBCelebration blog hop prizes. (Winners have been notified via email provided in their comment).

Prize 1: Jaidis has won the Regan Black Package which includes a Tracking Shadows t-shirt, and one ebook edition of each of my five novels: Justice Incarnate, Invasion of Justice, Veil of Justice, Tracking Shadows and The Matchmaker’s Mark.

Prize 2:  Sheriefa is the winner of the Thriller Package which includes kindle editions of Tracking Shadows by Regan Black, Abducted by T.R. Ragan, and Obsession by Debra Webb.

Prize 3: Congrats to Debbie G.,  winner of the Romance Package including kindle editions of The Matchmaker’s Mark by Regan Black, Deal with the Devil by Diana Duncan, and A Prince for Jennyby Peggy Webb.

Prize 4: Heather is the lucky winner who will receive a paperback edition of Abducted by T.R. Ragan (courtesy of the author)

Prize 5: And Bonnie can look forward to a signed paperback edition of Tracking Shadows by Regan Black!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my blog and who hopped along with the NYBCelebration to promote global literacy!

Happy reading and live the adventure!

To continue the theme introduced on Tuesday of learning techniques to strengthen your world building skills from current television shows, let’s take a look at Grimm.

This new fairy tale themed show takes a different angle than Once Upon a Time. It’s less about one central fairy tale with a supporting cast and more about the Grimms as mythology investigators, themselves.

The Grimms can see all the creatures who are masquerading as humans and it’s their job to protect humans from the bad ones. Of course, there’s room for interpretation about what equals ‘bad’ Grimm and that allows for a bit more horror, and a bit more humor to balance out their storylines.

They seem to be tackling the premise that not every fairy tale character is pure villain or hero and last week’s spin on Goldilocks was brilliant. I particularly enjoy the reformed werewolf who was pushed ‘a little too far’ in a fight this past week.

One of my readers even told me she thought the Grimm series reminded her of my Matchmaker’s Mark book, but with a darker edge. I thought that was a great honor – Thanks, Melanie!

But as to what tips you can learn from this series to help your writing, the first lesson is one you’re heard (hopefully) countless times already:

No one can write it exactly like you.

Grimm and Once Upon a Time prove there are still fresh ways to retell an old classic. Each storyline has potential as diverse as the authors themselves, so don’t get hung up on what ‘so and so’ is writing or the super-fantabulous world building they did for their paranormal romance novel. None of that. Focus on what you want the reader to get out of your story.

Additionally, when world building for a paranormal romance novel or any other genre, you can look to shows like Grimm for fabulous examples of modern interpretations. I won’t spoil it, but the three bears in the Goldilocks remake weren’t exactly on the same page as to how things should be done in the most recent Grimm episode.

That change up truly affected the story, which is a great visual lesson in how the unique way you perceive even a small detail can make a big difference in the overall effect.

Live the adventure!

As a paranormal romance author I’ve learned a great deal from well crafted movies in the fantasy, sci fi, and romance genres. If you’re a fan of movies or television and, like me, you’re a fan of fantasy, you probably know new shows Once Upon a Time and Grimm have been out a couple weeks.

If you haven’t seen these shows yet and you do enjoy reading fantasy, romance, light horror, or otherwise paranormal stories, these shows will surely appeal to you.

Personally, I adore the rich and detailed world building they’ve done with Once Upon a Time. No, this adventurous fairy tale storyline is not strictly limited to the romance of Snow White and her Prince Charming, and it weaves other fairy tales into the large cast of characters.

The writers have done a fabulous job bringing it together, giving everyone detailed and believable motives and background and then carrying it forward (thanks to a nasty curse courtesy of the evil queen) into the modern era. And the world building details just make it all the more enjoyable.

Once Upon a Time shows it is possible to put a terrific new spin on the old classics and they pay homage to those classics with the flashbacks to the fairy tale world itself. It’s the blend of old and new, the layers of world building in both settings that makes this such a special show.

So how can that translate to paranormal romance writers or authors of any genre?

First of all the incredible scenery and costuming, along with the multi-layered characters, feeds an author’s creative side. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about this shadowy modern town. It’s a way to give back to yourself after all those hours at the keyboard.

Second, you can learn a lot about throwing your reader expected and unexpected twists and surprises along the way. Just when you feel hope blossom, the wicked queen (mayor of the modern setting) out maneuvers the good guy. This past episode, my romantic side thought they’d make a giant leap forward, and they did, but the writers promise it won’t be easy.

Cool- because the best triumphs never are.

Third, this show can really teach you about theme, if you let it. (It’s okay to just enjoy it, btw). Hope is a theme of fairy tales, and the writers have done an excellent job of translating that to the modern side without letting it get hokey. And the best part, for me as a paranormal romance author, is the way they’ve managed to vary that theme as it ripples out to the other characters.

Next time, I’ll tackle Grimm – just for all the action lovers out there!

Live the adventure!

It took plenty of trial and error to accept that my strongest writing voice fits best in the paranormal genre. It’s not a big leap then to learn that I prefer the impossible or unknown when it comes to world building for paranormal romance novels and urban fantasy books. But when it’s time to build a future or imaginary world, I look back in time.

I love Chicago, it’s an amazing city, but I write a Chicago in the year 2096 and it’s a scenario that most likely won’t ever come to pass. (Thank goodness, because coffee is illegal there, which is why Slick Micky, the smuggler, is so very popular).

Urban fantasy adventure!

When I start world building for the urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels I set in my version of Chicago, I look at the city’s history.

That research is often a catalyst for the characters in my stories. In From the Ashes, the Great Chicago Fire plays a role -even though the story is set at the 225th anniversary of that tragic event.

For Tracking Shadows, my heroic smuggler, Slick Micky is descended from a ‘shady’ business family who worked the Levee during the march of evangelist Gypsy Smith.

So as much as I love to make things up as I go along, researching the past is a big part of how I get there. Where we are and were as a society helps me hone the world building. I’m always asking myself what mattered ‘then’ and why or how does it affect what matters now?

We all know how personal baggage can impact our thoughts and choices and I employ the same sort of theory to both community and individuals when it comes to world building for my paranormal romance novels.

As I developed a new series, I found myself repeating the process. This time in Charleston, South Carolina, the setting for the lighter paranormal romance, The Matchmaker’s Mark. Though not quite as obvious as futuristic Chicago, the sense of place and community are shown through both ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ perspectives as the characters venture through the historical city and the novel.

Live the adventure!

October seems to be the month when everyone delves into world building, not just for paranormal romance novels, but for special, creepy effects. Or maybe it just seems that way to me because I’m a paranormal romance author.

Halloween is what you make of it and who you’re making it for. Decorating, fun, creepy or not at all is an inventive way to show others what you’re into and who your target ‘audience’ is.

In the light of day, it becomes glaringly obvious what sort of mood one’s neighbors are trying to create for the looming onslaught of Trick or Treaters.

Some yards sport smiling pumpkins and zombies, silly monsters and rather friendly looking vampires.

But walk on – if you dare – and you might find a bloody hand reaching up from the next flowerbed, be warned off by glaring jack o’lanterns or turn and run away when you catch a glimpse of glowing red eyes watching from a darkened window.

So are you looking to scare the crap out of a crew of teenagers or do you want to enjoy all that is adorable in the 4-8 year old group? Maybe, on Halloween itself, you’re thoughtful in the way of one of our neighbors and you have a little something to amuse the parents while the kids are scampering to and from the door.

In my opinion they deserve an award every year. They decorate in a not-too-scary theme so little ones feel welcome. Then they put out a cooler of beer and wine coolers for parents to indulge as they walked around. This is a fantastic plan and it really takes the edge off when the whining starts.

Personally, I decorate on the fun side, don my full length black cape, crank up the spooky music through our intercom (dates to the 70s but it still works), and sit in the creaky porch rocker to hand out candy.

Any mysterious effect is muted by the cats and greyhounds watching the procedings through the windows and door, wishing they could personally greet the tiny goblins, NASCAR drivers, princesses and ghosts who dash in and out of view.

Live the adventure!

Labels for various life stages (like ‘empty nester’) or for writing (like ‘indie author’ or ‘paranormal romance writer’) are simply ways of putting a framework around our world. A way of creating points or touchstones in our environment, whether we’re world building for paranormal romance novels, or simply living a life filled with inevitable change.

Calling me an empty nester – or even implying we have a half-empty nest is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, we have one child in college and one child at home, but the change isn’t all that weird for me. People ask me how I’m doing and I can honestly answer that I’m just fine. That answer shocks some and offends others, but it’s the truth.

Do I miss my daughter? Sure. But the more I think about it, the more I realize she’s been growing up and away from me since she exited the womb in a rather dramatic fashion so many years ago.

People blame my apparently easy-going demeanor on the fact that she went to boarding school the last two years of high school. And that may have something to do with it. But to really understand why this isn’t throwing me into a bottle of wine and anti-depressants, you need a little background:

This is the child who acted like birth was a trial for her, complete with a hand over her brow during the first APGAR test. This is the child who weaned herself – cold turkey – at two months old. She was ready to move on, thank you very much. If I wasn’t ready, well, I was the mom so I should be able to deal, right?

I dealt. (and hey, not breastfeeding meant I could have a little wine…)

At four, during a marine mammal show, she boldly raised her hand and with quiet determination that girl marched right out of the audience and straight up to the dolphin trainer who had merely announced a few, select volunteers would be able to meet and pet the dolphin. It didn’t matter that the trainer hadn’t yet selected her, it didn’t matter that I asked her to sit down. My baby girl was going to pet that animal.

I could list several stories from each of her formative years, but the summation is this: she’s been training me for her departure for years. She has systematically set her sights on a goal and worked her tail off to get there, whether it was petting a dolphin or getting into her first choice college.

That’s just the way it’s always been.

She’s a beautiful, capable independent young woman and while I’d love to spend more time with her in person, she’s walking her own road now, and looking forward to her next goal, doing some real life world building. She prepared me well for this day, something I’m grateful for since it means I can honestly say I’m doing great with my roomier nest.

Besides, having only one child in the vicinity means I have a bit more time to play with my fictional characters and the world building for my next paranormal romance novel!

Live the adventure!