Regan Black

This is my last post as it relates to the olympics – I promise! But as a former athlete, I must say the dedication and efforts are inspiring.

Learning the back story of how Kim Yu-Na made it to Vancouver, her training and the ups and downs under the heavy expectations of a nation made it all the more amazing when she took the gold.

With a record-setting score!

She wasn’t the only athlete to come to the winter games with immense pressure on her shoulders. She wasn’t the only athlete to compete under the harsh glare of the media spotlight.

But the next morning when Dick Button said she did it despite her flaws and weaknesses: that got my attention.

Apparently Kim Yu-Na has back trouble and her coaches said with proper rest and physiotherapy it wouldn’t be a problem in competition. Watching her skate, she didn’t seem to have any weaknesses.

But that’s because Kim and her coaches tailored a program to her particular strengths.

So Kim can’t do a lot of the ‘leg up behind her back’ moves other skaters knock off with deceptive ease. But she can put together a complete program – two complete programs – packed with exciting spins, jumps, footwork  and transitions that play up the lines and grace she was born with.

They said she’s got a playful side and she likes to ‘take on’ a character during the performance. Her Bond girl rendition in the short program was spot-on!

Her coaches gave her what she needed physically, to find what would let her shine under the spotlight. But Kim put in the hours of work, the focused concentration and effort, and she reached her gold-medal goal.

Not by worrying about the skills she lacked, not by comparing herself to others. She did it by discovering and playing to her strengths.

As writers, with individual preferences, talents, and strengths – this is a lesson we should all take to heart. We won’t get where we want to be by comparing our weak areas with another author’s strong suit.

We’ve got to find our strengths, and then play them up with daily effort and perseverance!

Live the adventure!

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In the publishing industry, creating characters of sports star and rock star status are often frowned upon. But as an element of the paranormal romance, feats of superior physical or mental strength and ability are encouraged.

What would a Kenyon Dark Hunter be without the cunning and skills to defeat the dreaded Spathi?

As the elements of paranormal romance novels go, the character is often the ‘it’ factor. As well it should be. Super-natural speed, strength, and agility are powerful and exciting and intriguing. A beyond the norm story requires a larger than life character.

Any character – heroes, villains, even sidekicks -  can have understated (or undervalued) skills that add an extra element to the paranormal romance novel.

Looking at the extraordinary feats Olympic athletes are making everyday during the Winter Games can be an inspiration to developing the stand out character element in your paranormal novel.

Whether dealing with injury, emotions, or circumstance, these athletes overcome the obstacles and leave their best effort on the track, mountain, or rink.

It’s amazing. It’s this type of heroic effort that can lend the perfect element to your paranormal romance novel – whether the character is normal or super natural; an alpha male or alpha female.

Again, how much of that paranormal element you include is up to you. You don’t want to overpower the story – and you’d better have a good reason why a ski-loving vampire doesn’t go poof on a sunny downhill run…

Live the adventure!

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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.

Live the adventure!

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