Then life intervened. Sales were slower than we expected (considering the amount of time I was putting into marketing and events). My dad died and my husband was deployed for 18 months.  As a suddenly single mom, I struggled (and failed) to keep promoting and writing the rather dark world of my 2096 novels.

My publisher (Echelon Press) understood, keeping me engaged as a paranormal romance writer with a couple of anthology projects (set in 2096 Chicago) and further supporting my choice to delve into a more lighthearted YA fantasy eBook series. Initially designed to release every 8-12 weeks, there are just five stories out at the moment, but the Hobbitville saga is gaining steam.

As a paranormal romance writer (who learned the hard way to follow my ‘voice’) the YA shorts let me explore a fun landscape and feel as if I can ‘finish’ a project in a timely manner. While my life slowly settled, I played with other ideas running around in my head and eventually finished Veil of Justice to my satisfaction.

But the timing was off, my momentum was gone. Here I was, a paranormal romance writer, but my audience had moved on.  Then my rights reverted on the anthologies. It was time to adapt and develop a better plan.

Looking at the new landscape of publishing, I took these titles (From the Ashes, Dream Works, Breaking New Ground, and Veil of Justice) straight to the reader via Kindle and Smashwords. So far, I’ve been pleased with the results. I’ve even got a giveaway going on Goodreads. Yup, that’s it right there. –>

As much as I resist change, even as a paranormal romance writer, adapting is the only way forward. And it’s worked beautifully. I’ve learned to blog, present workshops, and interact with peers and readers on social media. I’ve even managed a You Tube search story!

So I encourage you as a reader or writer, don’t be afraid of what’s looming on the publishing horizon for paranormal romance or any other genre. Do your research, learn the new advantages and keep your mind open to the next great book you can sample on your computer, ereader, tablet, or phone.

Live the adventure!

No really!

Mod Nation (my son’s latest PS3 acquisition) and similar games can be a great exercise in world building fun. Order or chaos, high tide or low, even the position of the sun or moon, you’re in control of the universe as you build a racetrack. It’s really cool!

When crafting a paranormal romance novel, you also have the control.

You can make your world big and chaotic, you can lock in a tight follow spot on some detail of immense importance. However you build it, the world building for paranormal romance novels is all about how you want to play – or rather how your characters want to play in the world you create.

There are rules, in games and in world building.

In a game as silly and ‘simple’ as Hamster Ball, the creators were careful to make it make sense. You have three ‘ball’ choices for your hamster during the game: speed, bounce, and strength. Naturally the bounce ball looks like a soccer ball – which makes sense.  Even in hamster world, the world building rules matter.

Video game or paranormal romance novel, world building is world building. The more you practice, the better you get. So dream big, down to the smallest detail, make sure it makes sense, then let your characters have the time of their lives entertaining your readers.

Find several Shadows of Justice stories at Smashwords (free and half price) through July 31!  Additional outlets include Kindle and OmniLit.  Plus there’s still time to enter for one of two copies of Veil of Justice on the Goodreads Giveaways!

Live the adventure!

I’m still behaving – I swear! – and as if the universe needed to prove it, I’ve discovered that’s a very good thing. We recently attended an event for my daughter’s school, but just two hours on my feet wiped me out.

Frustrating but true.

Of course doing said social mixer after pulling a very late night with the writing probably didn’t help, but it’s all proof my body’s not yet back on track. Grrr.

However, I am finding ways to be grateful in this challengeing time. A trait I’d like to think I’ve learned in part from the many alpha female characters I’ve written over the years.

No, I can’t be Jaden who would probably take the doctors hostage until they fixed her. I’m not Petra who would use her mental talents to separate herself from the pain.  (Yes, I’m meditating – thanks for asking – and it does help but I’m not as good as Petra).

It would be awesome to have Cali’s ability to illuminate a text so I could understand what the doctors really mean. More than once since this all began long ago in December, I’ve wished for a friend like Mira, a healer who will be starring soon in her own Shadows of Justice novel.

For now, I’ll go back to playing with Mira and the other alpha female heroines in my imagination

You can dive into their world too! Buy the books on Amazon or in the format and outlet you prefer.

Live the adventure!

Life loves to toss out challenges! No matter what career path you’re on, you’ve surely bumped into both anticpated obstacles and outright surprises.

When I’m writing (or reading) alpha female characters, I love the boldness with which they tackle every obstacle that gets tossed their way. They seem to know what they want and even if that initial goal changes or morphs, they continue with that admirable drive to attain it.

Asimov is right, life’s difficulities do seem to vaporize in the face of bold action. It’s empowering to read and write an alpha female heroine who boldly charges into their adventures, despite the risks.

A writer with the goals of being published cannot rest in a corner at the end of the day and hope the challenges of the publishing world go away or smooth out.

And knowing readers love to worry their way through a book, I suppose it makes an odd sort of sense for even the most alpha female author to have a few worries on the path to publication.

But it takes alpha female determination and dedication to overcome the obstacles and prevail over circumstance.

When a writer (or anyone) focuses on the problem or  difficulty, rather than the solution, the difficulty becomes bigger than it is. It becomes so big, in fact, it blurs our vision of the precious goal hovering just beyond it.

Alpha female characters teach me a lot. Yes I know my heroines are fictional, but I wouldn’t spend all those hours with them in the story if I didn’t like them.

Jaden Michaels  (of Justice Incarnate) is an alpha female person I would love to have on my team – and in a way, when I play with characters from her world, she is on my team and provides a solid example of daring, consideration, and definitive action.

Debating and overanalyzing a problem will not fix it. Difficulties require action if we want to get around them to realize our goal or dream. Better to assess and then move forward with boldness – to take alpha female action.

Will there be mistakes? Surely. But the alpha females of my acquaintance learn from all their experiences and move on with continued boldness and determination, with their eyes on the prize they’ve declared they cannot live without.

Live the adventure!

RB: It seems you and your attitude would surely suffer under the strict social standards of America in the ’50s?

J: “I’ll always be me, in any era. Shouldn’t that be the primary goal of every person? To find what you’re good at and use it to help make your world better?”

RB: Good point. Do you share this philosophy with your students?

J: “I share whatever it takes to make them realize they don’t have to settle for what the world dishes out.”

RB: Experts in self defense often advise not to aggravate the attacker.

J: “I advise empowerment. Of course, we discuss scenarios, strategies. Bottom line – they know they don’t have to go down easy – if at all.” She tapped her temple. “In a crisis the person who can think can wins. My students have options, making it easier to keep thinking.”

RB: It made sense and didn’t seem nearly as simple as learning to kick where it hurts. Getting back to you, personally, what do you consider your defining moment?

J: “In which lifetime? The obvious answer is the moment before each of my deaths. Or the moments when I was victimized? Making the decision to not be a victim impacted the rest of my choices right up to the moments before my deaths. However, since I’m still living this time, blissfully happy with my husband and family, the overall defining moment was learning when to trust my heart.”

A statement which, in this interviewer’s opinion, brings us back to, and puts a wrap on, the original alpha female question.

RB: I started each interview with the following question: We’ve heard all about alpha males, that they lead – from a distance. What does it mean to you to be an alpha female? Read on to see where it all led…

Jaden: “For me it’s about doing what needs done, whenever it needs done, no matter the consequences. You can’t just leave people – of any age or gender – out there to deal with the nastiness alone.”

RB: Isn’t that what law enforcement is for?

J: “They’re overworked. Have been for centuries. I know, I’m married to the former Chief of Police. Sometimes things need a personal, subtle touch.”

RB: That sounds like a threat – a vigilante attitude.

J: “Only if you’re a criminal.”

RB: Sitting here, in the presence of someone who oozes lethal power I was more than a little unnerved. So I changed the subject. What’s your favorite primary color?

J: “Yellow.”

RB: Would you please elaborate?

J: “I like it. It’s bright and happy.”

RB: I moved on. How is the self-defense school doing?

J: “In this neighborhood business is always booming. But in the suburbs, we’ve got full classes each week too. Everyone deserves the confidence that comes from knowing you have options.”

RB: Options?

J: “Other than surrender, I mean. Someone asks for your wallet – or worse- it’s better to know you have a few surprises for them. Criminals shouldn’t have it easy.”

RB: Of course not. But don’t you operate on the fringes?
Jaden smiled, and refused to comment further.

RB: Hmmm. Are you a cat or a dog person?

J: “Dogs, definitely. I like something that comes when I call. You can’t count on cats for any real loyalty.”

RB: Loyalty matters?

J: She glanced at the desk hologram of her husband. “Always.”

RB: If you could live in any era, which would you choose?

J: “The 1950s. It was idyllic. Or it seems so now. Criminals weren’t so grotesquely imaginative.”

RB: Do you relate everything to the criminal element?

J: She shrugged. “Old habits die hard.”

Since we’re out of time today, please join us next week for the rest of the interview with Jaden Michaels alpha female from Justice Incarnate.