Regan Black

Writing paranormal romance leaves the page wide open for all kinds of fun. Paranormal romance writers can take liberties other authors might shy away from and the layers and intricacies of the paranormal elements can be bold or subtle.

Take setting for example. An ‘other’ world can be a place of discovery for both characters and readers. Or spinning known landmarks and cities into a clever new look or purpose can spark passion that resonates with paranormal romance readers.

The Olympic venues (beyond the skating rink) are often foreign territory to the average reader and viewer. Think what a paranormal romance writer could do with that!

Those places known and loved, or as yet undiscovered can be either big or subtle elements of the paranormal romance novel. In the forests surrounding the venues of Vancouver, I can see the characters of Lori Handeland’s Night Creature novels having a grand adventure.

Setting can be a powerful element of the paranormal romance novel, whether it’s a shining city like New Orleans, a pristine forest, a mountain staked for Super G, or a bumpy moguls course.

It’s not so odd for a paranormal hero or heroine to enjoy adrenaline-inducing sports. The Olympic Village could be it’s own element in a paranormal romance if the hero is tracking a villain disguised as an athlete – or coach.

Visions of James Bond racing onto the ski cross course are one thing, but what if it was Kenyon’s Acheron – even better!

In other words, look at settings you know and love, as well as settings that intrigue you. Then fold it in to the fabric of your story to create a memorable – big or subtle – element of your paranormal romance novel.

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So we’d had Boo for a couple of months, she was settling in and following Brody’s lead on all things regarding etirement when we had the opportunity to dog sit a couple of great hounds.

Ransom was a real queen and her forever brother Ozzie had been one of our more interesting fosters (he didn’t like any flooring other than carpet and came up with creative ways to avoid tile and hardwoods).

But I digress.

So Ozzie and Ransom arrived and said good bye to their Dad and having stayed with us before, settled in easy enough.

Then came bed time.

Ransom, being a high queen, slept on the bed at her house and didn’t find cause to change habits when she stayed with us.

Boo was confused. A dog on the bed? She always slept on her comforter on the floor just like Brody. But now there was a dog on the bed with her mama.

Boo’s world tilted – as did her ears. The potential was undeniable.

And apparently irresistible. Some time in the night, she made the leap and I found her curled up next to my legs in the morning. Ransom was near my pillow.

So began a week of quiet, regal competition for supremacy . I would turn on the alarm system and head upstairs. Invariably, Brody and Ozzie were already up there, content with their portions of the floor.

Boo and Ransom however, finding it necessary to escort my every move, flew up the stairs and juggled for the spot closest to my head. By the end of the week, Boo was winning.

It was almost as if Ransom was content to abdicate the pillows because she was so pleased with Boo’s personal growth.

Most nights, Boo sleeps on the floor, though she’s happy to grace us with a few minutes of cuddling first.

But if Ransom’s in the house, you can be sure the bed will have Boo in it: as close to the mama as possible.

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That sounds like a no-brainer. Female athletes are naturally alpha females, right? Not necessarily.

In my opinion what makes athletes alpha females isn’t the inherent nature of competitive sports…it’s the dedication to the dream those athletes hold inside themselves.

Most athletes – even olympic athletes  – are not household names in their own countries. The world stage – complete with lights, cameras and questioning reporters  – is only a blip in the daily reality of hard work and determination.

The female athletes populating the Olympic Winter games are there because they made a conscious, alpha female sort of decision to put in the time every day to reach the goal and realize the dream.

Those athletes have looked inside themselves, daring to discover their innermost talents and dreams and then gone a step further to assess the price of making it real.

For some, it’s an achievement just to be at the winter games. And with no expectation of reaching the podium, they strive anyway and sometimes they even create the upset.

Such is the nature of a true alpha female in real life or fiction: To strive with decisive action toward a goal no matter the odds.

Most writers – even bestselling authors – aren’t household names either. Any  lights or cameras are only a blip in their everyday reality too. It takes daily, solitary effort and perseverance to put together a book with characters that resonate with enough readers to hit the bestseller lists.

Alpha female athletes, characters, and authors can – and should – inspire viewers, readers, and writers.

Live the adventure!

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