As a paranormal romance author, or author of any genre really, how do you research what’s primarily in your head? Especially if you’ve ventured into a setting in the future?

For me, I turned my research efforts to the past. Odd, maybe, but then again when I was working on Justice Incarnate, the first paranormal romance novel in the Shadows of Justice series, I was also dealing with a reincarnated heroine. Pointing my research efforts back in time helped me assess how quickly inventions come and go and get replaced by new advancements and technology.

By the time I started on Tracking Shadows, I’d been working within my 2096 Chicago world for awhile. And yet, I still went back, not only to the previous books to keep the continuity straight with the elements of my paranormal romance novels, but also to find a catalyst for Micky’s character.

Specifically, why he would choose to be one of the most honorable men in smuggling, a business which thrives on exploitation.

Once again, I turned to Chicago’s history to find just the right elements of this paranormal romance novel. Though I’m not surprised people think of it as an urban fantasy with a paranormal element, but let’s skip that slippery slope for the moment.

When I consider the myriad possibilities of where this world might go in the future, it helps me to see where we’ve come from. Researching Chicago’s vivid history helps me expand the horizons in my fictional 2096. When I came across the accounts of Gypsy Smith’s famous evangelical march, I let my imagination wander over how those owners of ‘shady’ business in the notorious Levee might have been affected.

For Slick Micky’s family, Gypsy Smith’s march altered their owner mindset, creating a shift toward business practices that encouraged loyalty and improved the profit margin for everyone. While the necessary elements of paranormal romance novels present in Tracking Shadows stem primarily from Trina’s ability to induce deadly hallucinations, Slick Micky’s future is certainly dependent on how he interprets his past.

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Be sure to check out the new Tracking Shadows and Contests and Fun Stuff pages here at the website for previews, giveaways and winner announcements!

Whether you’ve written or read a great book, when you tell people about it, they often want a reference point: Some key information to know where to find the book or if it matches their taste in reading.

So how do you decide where a book fits – on a bookshelf or in the infinite virtual shelf space of ebooks?

When my first book, Justice Incarnate, came out in paperback in 2005 it had elements of several categories (sci-fi, thriller, romance, paranormal). The publisher and I had a challenge suggesting how bookstores should shelve it. Readers in all those genres liked the book, which was great, but it only made classification tougher.

The terms known today as ‘branding’ and ‘platform’ were just hitting the publishing scene. That was only six years ago.

Just a few years ago, most readers didn’t know or care what those terms meant, they just wanted to find a good book with elements they enjoyed. I think that’s just as true today, no matter how books are published. Readers want to find books with elements of paranormal romance or thriller elements, or whatever they turn to for entertainment.

But branding and platform have helped author define the key elements of their novels, paranormal or otherwise, that help readers find them.

If an author wrote about two consenting adults falling in love over coffee, it was a contemporary romance. A book about coffee loving vampires who fall in love, is clearly a paranormal romance novel. But the author who writes about a future where coffee is illegal and the heroine must dispatch a nasty demon with or without the aid of the man who had almost been her husband. Well… that’s a harder label to pin down.

As a reader I think it’s great when novels cross genres and incorporate elements of paranormal romance with the chills of mystery or suspense or even contemporary factors.

As my writing grew with my characters I chose to focus on the paranormal elements of my novels and branded myself a paranormal romance author so readers could find me more easily. Sure the Shadows of Justice series is set in the future (a future where real coffee is illegal) but that just adds to the adventure for readers who enjoy dark paranormal elements with a touch of romance.

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Stay tuned for news about the May 10th release of Tracking Shadows, the latest novel from 2096!

And follow me on Facebook for giveaways and more!

In this final installment of my recent wanderings through the non-fiction ‘shelves’, I’ll wrap with a fascinating and amazing book about writing:

The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass.

This is hardly Maass’ first book on the craft of writing, but if you write fiction it’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your reference shelf. The Fire in Fiction is a fantastic book for writers who are dedicated to improving their craft. Maass, an agent with an outstanding record in the publishing industry delivers an informative book with wit, care, and thought provoking assessment and exercises.

The Fire in Fiction is worth every penny and it’s packed with tips for writing in any genre, even paranormal romance novels.

I first heard about this book during an eye-opening workshop presented by Maass at the RWA conference in Washington, D.C. a few years ago. On the way home from conference, I called my husband and asked him to have the book waiting for me. I dove into it as soon as I walked through the door.

Working my way through the chapters of The Fire in Fiction, I experienced the ups and downs of feeling like I could craft a great novel, to feeling like a hack. Then I’d get to the exercises and tips for writing at the end of each chapter. In tackling those exercises and applying the presented concepts to my manuscript, I’d feel absolutely empowered.

That’s a serious skill, to make a creature as insecure as a writer feel empowered about a work in progress and I’ll be forever thankful for Maass.

Using passages from outstanding authors, Maass illustrates the key elements that will resonate with readers of every genre from crime fiction to paranormal romance.

For awhile I blogged about The Fire in Fiction, ala Julie & Julia. I’ve since taken the site down, but it was such a great project and Maass’ tips for writing, his advice, and suggestions for evaluating everything from ‘once upon a time’ to ‘the end’ means this book stays on my reference shelf. I may even buy the kindle edition, as I frequently work on my alphasmart away from my main desk and my kindle is (obviously) portable.

The Fire in Fiction changed my attitude as well as my writing and revising habits. If you’re a writer and want to do one thing for your craft, the writing tips and advice Maass packs into The Fire in Fiction is one of the best options available today.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you of Irish heritage or the desire to celebrate with fab food like Soda Bread, fish and chips, and green beer!

When my daughter was in Kindergarten the teachers honored St. Patrick’s day with “Lenny the Leprechaun”. He would pull all sorts of mischief throughout the day: moving chairs, turning snacks green, and leaving a trail of glitter in his wake and in turn the children would build traps, hoping to catch him. In honor of all the lighthearted fun and mischief to be had in fiction featuring Celtic lore, I decided to look at Celtic elements of paranormal romance novels.

Among the many things that come to mind when I think of Ireland, the rich storytelling traditions are at the top of the list. Many a paranormal romance author has capitalized (and rightly so) on the legends, both fun and frightening, that populate Celtic history and mythology.

One of my favorite Nora Roberts trilogies is the Gallagher trilogy set on the Irish coast in Ardmore. (Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon, and Heart of the Sea) You might not class this as a paranormal romance series, but with an original fairy tale featuring a lonely ghost and an irritable fae prince, it has definite Celtic elements of a paranormal romance novel.

By weaving the wistful local legend with the budding contemporary relationships, Roberts adds a layer of emotion, risk, and romance to an already romantic story.

Roberts has set many of her romance novels in Ireland, and connected many, many more to Ireland by family or legend, starting with her first published novel, Irish Thoroughbred. I find her use of Celtic elements for paranormal romance novels (whether you call them that or not) wonderfully entertaining. Before the Gallaghers, there were the Donovans (a family of various mystical talents) and one of my all time favorite single titles from Nora was the Three Fates.

Of course there are plenty of authors who use Celtic lore as an element of paranormal romance, but Roberts truly focuses on the Irish side of the coin.

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There are so many elements that can turn a story into a paranormal novel with or without a romantic element.

But the emotional impact is what makes a reader, thoroughly engaged with a spooky story jump when the cat hops onto the chair, or tear up over a heartbreaking moment in a romance.

Emotion, or rather evoking emotion, is a key element of a paranormal romance novel. It’s the key that unlocks the many layers of entertainment most paranormal romance novels offer the reader.

Where do authors get the emotion to use it as a key element of paranormal romance novels?

Inside the author – you’ve probably heard authors say if the scene doesn’t make them cry/laugh/sigh their reader won’t either. They’re right, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unhappy, giddy, or floating down from a recent orgasm to write those scenes.

The key to putting that emotional element in the paranormal romance novel is being able to remember how you felt when that certain something did make you cry, laugh, or sigh.

Donald Maass discusses this in his books and workshops on writing, most recently in The Fire in Fiction. (if you haven’t picked it up, I highly recommend it.)

If someone cuts you off in the carpool lane and you’re just aggravated as hell, turn to that when someone steps on the toes of your kick-butt heroine or tortured hero. Did you clench your teeth, fist your hands on the wheel, or offer up some colorful metaphors?

What about that silly girl’s night out when you were laughing so hard you nearly spilled the wine?

Thinking back to those stand out moments helps paranormal romance authors. Life gives all of us a gold mine of emotion to draw on when we need to boost that emotional element of a paranormal romance novel.

So maybe I didn’t actually have an affair with a kilt-wearing ancient Scottish warrior, but I remember how safe I felt when my husband stood tall and protected me from someone determined to cause me pain.

Emotions are universal, key elements of paranormal romance novels that make the escape worth the time for the reader.

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Here we are, at the night before Christmas Eve and all around me people,  including my jaded teenagers, are getting excited for Christmas morning. That air of expectation, of eager anticipation, is contagious and I find it makes all of us smile, joke, and enjoy each moment between now and December 25th with loving clarity.

The same sort of expectation is an important element of paranormal romance novels.

It’s a great feeling to open a new book, with all the rich excitement of a child eager for Christmas morning, and get drawn into a fresh new world and an unforgettable adventure. When the author sweeps a reader up and away, it’s a connection shared, a promise kept, and in this paranormal romance writer’s opinion, it doesn’t get much better.

Whether it’s a new author we’ve heard good things about, or the next installment in a favorite series we’ve been anticipating for months, that moment of expectation for the journey ahead is truly delightful.

That sweet anticipation: ‘Where will this author take me?’ is what keeps me reading paranormal romance novels as well as other genres. I’m always game for a wild adventure, a tender tale, or a complex mystery.

It’s a similar element of expectation that keeps me writing paranormal romance novels. I’ve often said how much I enjoy the element of surprise when I’m writing. Sure I have an idea of where, when, and how, my characters will interact, but surprise is the element of paranormal romance I look forward to every day when I sit down to the keyboard.

I hope eager anticipation and expectation of a great adventure is an element for my readers too, as I strive to make each novel and every short story better than the last.

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Find my short story, Famous Last Words, and more at Smashwords.com. Or visit Amazon or your favorite outlet for books and ebooks.

Still FREE at Smashwords.com

It seems many authors are asking their fans if they like to read stories set around Christmas or other holidays.  Based on November and December releases, which usually include several novels with holiday elements, I’d say publishers believe readers like themed and well timed stories.

While I don’t mean to jump on a bandwagon, I’d love to hear if you’re yay or nay on the holiday book idea.

Snow Covered Resolutions

Personally I do enjoy reading and writing books with holiday elements of paranormal romance, as well as other genres. In historicals, one of my favorites is Eloisa James duchess series An Affair Before Christmas. To me, it’s a treat to see what holidays were like in a different era.

A quick search for paranormal books with Christmas themes turned up this discussion on Goodreads. And of course Amazon has a search for everything (thank goodness) and here is what turned up.

This is the time of year when I find there’s plenty of inspiration to add some holiday elements to the paranormal romance novel I’m currently working on.

Except my manuscript in progress is set in autumn, in Chicago, about 86 years from today. (More on that next month)

But it’s always entertaining to see how paranormal romance writers layer in different holiday elements of paranormal romance novels. I think paranormal romance writers have the most freedom (as long as we’re true to the key rules and elements of our paranormal romance novels). We can choose from bah-humbug alpha hero vampires to witchy alpha female heroines who go all out decking the halls for children in her family or community, and everything in between!

There’s unlimited potential for holiday elements in paranormal romance novels and I hope you find a few to enjoy this season!

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In honor of Halloween (in just a few days – Woot!) I thought I’d focus on one of the classic, and trickier elements of paranormal romance: Ghosts!

Ghosts are so very versatile in storytelling. There’s everything from A Christmas Carol to Poltergeist to Ghost. (pardon me a moment while I sigh over Patrick Swayze) Which means ghosts lend themselves to all sorts of characterizations for paranormal romance writers.

Ghosts can be spooky tragic, spooky sexy, or spooky sidekick elements in paranormal romance novels. So versatile!

In Monica Burns’ recent Assassin’s Heart, she applied past life/reincarnation which basically told two stories for the hero and heroine: the current and the past. It wasn’t out right ghost storytelling, but it was close. (and very cool – if you haven’t read the Assassin’s series – now’s the time!)

Nora Roberts uses ghosts liberally in her novels. The Chesapeake Bay saga, the In The Garden trilogy, and the Irish Trilogy are just a few examples. Sometimes the ghosts are villains, sometimes mentors, and sometimes secondary romance characters.

These spooky character elements can come in handy, sort of like a tricorder in the original Star Trek series, to enhance the mood or advance the plot of a paranormal romance novel.

Some authors give their ghosts powers to influence friends and enemies or to move things about for ornery or villainous purposes. Other authors apply this  spooky element of paranormal romance novels to right a wrong or put a treasure (like love) into the right hands. Kresley Cole’s a good example of that last one in Dark Needs At Night’s Edge with Naomi, a ghostly heroine.

Whatever your favorite element of paranormal novels, at this time of year you have to give the ghost it’s due!

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Only a few days left to enter the Monster Halloween Giveaway! Don’t miss your chance for a freebie from my Shadows of Justice series or offerings from many other great paranormal authors!

Paranormal romance novels are a wide open playground for paranormal romance writers and readers. In my opinion it comes down to the boundless elements available for paranormal romance novels. From science, to telepathy, to mythology, there’s a tremendous amount of inspiration and the genre has room for anyone with a vivid imagination and a penchant for spinning a tale.

When I’m starting a new book, or brainstorming a series of ideas, I often look to real world advances in technology – especially for my futuristic paranormal romance novels. I also look back – as the speed of tech advances is astonishing. When I was imagining an electronic notebook and cell ‘cards’ for Justice Incarnate, the iPad wasn’t even in development. Looking back helps me gauge just how fast things might move in the future for those techie elements of my paranormal romance novels.

Telepathy is an element of paranormal romance novels that just fascinates me with the endless variety of applications. Anna DeStefano applies her own version of mental powers in the worlds of dreams, Monica Burns has telekinetic heroes who despise their telepathic, villainous opponents. Some might consider telepathy part of the real world, while others scoff, but the powers of the mind are vastly untapped in the current population.

I enjoyed my characters with telepathic and telekinetic powers in both Invasion of Justice and Veil of Justice paranormal romance novels, because they came by those powers courtesy of a rather mad and completely unethical geneticist who preyed on infertile couples. A real world situation – infertility – means people must trust researchers and progress to do the right thing. My evil doctor took advantage of a delicate situation to genetically enhance the children.

The deep history and storytelling traditions available from mythology is another element of paranormal romance novels that can be creatively adapted to serve the story or growth of the characters. Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters are a prime example of adapting mythology to create a unique new world but Virginia Kantra’s use of Welsh sea folk legends has given readers a delightfully fresh series of paranormal romance novels.

No matter which elements of paranormal romance novels you prefer, the real world offers wonderful inspiration to paranormal romance writers and readers alike.

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Every paranormal romance writer strives to deliver a balance, an ebb and flow of emotional, paranormal, and action elements for the paranormal romance novel that comes across as a fantastic escape for the reader.

“I’m a believer in momentum.” – Lance Armstrong

Of course I can’t speak for every writer, but for my paranormal romance novels, it’s the daily momentum of getting the story down, of layering the action and emotion into the story that helps me most. The daily page count helps me keep all those elements of the novel in balance. When I’m working on a new book, those elements seem to fall into place when I obey the momentum of my writing.

Think of the momentum you build when you’re excited about something. The enthusiasm bubbles over and colors your day – every encounter, etc. That positive momentum colors the scenes, dialogue and action elements of paranormal romance novels too.

Or when you’re fighting with your partner. The angry momentum can sweep you down and away into a topic your didn’t mean to address, something you thought you’d forgotten. When my writing momentum carries me into new territory, sometimes it’s fabulous and I discover an element the paranormal romance novel was missing. Sometimes I discover a tangential dead end.

In dead end cases, I pull out the scene and save it for a short story or possible promo later, but the real, vital writing momentum is still there.

Momentum can be a critical element in paranormal romance novels. Both for the writer in the creation process, keeping those pages churning and later for the reader, to keep those published pages turning!

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Discover the entire Shadows of Justice series on Kindle and visit From the Shadows for a chance to win Veil of Justice!