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!

Since going the indie author route with my urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels, readers might assume I work alone dawn to dusk. While somedays it feels that way, and other days I wish it was that way, the truth is no one really does the publishing thing alone.

Writing groups and conferences help you find your writing voice and develop your skills in the writing craft. Once you have those things working well within the story you want to share with readers, it’s time to get writing.

There is no set, perfect way to write a book. Because no two writers are the same. While it might be nice if there was a simple task list (beyond getting words on the page) it isn’t going to happen. Paying attention to your process, discovering which hours are your most productive, what tools work, and what actions nourish you along the way will be most helpful.

An author friend of mine does extensive character background and plotting before she starts. I’ve tried her way, but it wrecked the process for me. I’m considered a pantser, (meaning I don’t plot) but really I’m a hybrid now. I start out writing fast and loose, then take a look at what I’ve discovered, whittle that down and aim for the ending I have in mind. (Yes there’s more to it, but you don’t want to know).

No matter how you get to the finished draft. It’s only the beginning.

Teamwork begins when the draft is done – or earlier if you’re working with critique partners. Trading feedback on works in progress is another system that works for some, but not all authors.

Once that draft is complete and polished to your best ability, it’s time to send it out to either beta readers or your first round with an editor.

Beta readers (who read paranormal romance novels, or your specific genre) can be a fabulous asset, letting you know if your book will resonate with readers, if you’ve left something out of the plot, if your characters are engaging. They might even point out continuity errors or typos.

An editor can address structure, pacing, grammar, and/or typos too. To give your book the best experience with an editor, do your best to clean up those little typos so your editor isn’t distracted from what you want them to be looking for.

Readers expect and deserve your best effort and all these extra eyes on your book, all this teamwork, helps improve not only your writing process, but the finished product you will deliver to readers.

And let me offer up a special THANK YOU to my team of beta readers and editors who have helped me bring each of my books to readers, from the non-fiction to the urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels!

Live the adventure!

Looking at the production schedule I’ve planned for this year (and the paranormal romance novels on the agenda) it seems the perfect time to post about my friend, the alphie. (which is my admittedly uninspired name for my alphasmart NEO).

I absolutely love this tool for writing! Naturally there are the obvious reasons. It’s lightweight, easy on/off. Runs nearly FOREVER on three AA batteries. It’s durable and amazingly portable.

But mainly, I love my alphie because it’s the most effective tool for “writing forward” on any given project.

I should probably write a testimonial or even a new sales page for the Alphasmart website, but they’ve really have a nice site already. (Did I mention it’s affordable?)

It was during my first writer’s conference (Thank you Smoky Mountain Romance Writers!) that I was introduced to this simple marvel of technology. Three different authors were singing the praises of the alphie and how it kept them productive and on schedule. (there was even mention of writing while in the dentist chair! *g*)

As the marketing responsibilities increase for writers these days, it seems more imperative than ever for an unplugged way to write. Unless of course you have an iron will and can ignore the temptation of twitter and facebook.

Which leads me to ask – do you offer seminars?

Anyway, the classics of pen and paper are another good solution, but they don’t work for me because I type so much faster. When I try to write by hand, it turns into chicken scratch within a few lines because I’m trying to get everything onto the page too quickly.

Big surprise, to those of you who know me well.

Some authors can write so thoughtfully and effectively with pen and paper, but I’m not one of them. I like to let the ideas pour out fast and loose and then refine them as I work layer in the details of a scene or chapter.

It’s a process that’s served me well so far and I’m thrilled to tell you the alphie keyboard is getting a real workout in January as I progress on my current projects.

Look for books two and three in the Matchmaker series of paranormal romance novels coming this spring and I have a wonderful new surprise I hope to share with you soon!

Live the adventure!

p.s. If you haven’t yet voted for the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Awards, please stop by today! Voting is open through midnight on January 20th!

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!

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!

Don’t worry, this paranormal romance author is still participating in the Small Blogs Big Giveaways event! You can hop along and enter through September 23rd!  See the full list of participating blogs here!

To enter for my bonus giveaway, the Smuggler’s Stash, see the sidebar or go to this post.

Now, getting back to today’s post about what ‘works’ for me…A fellow writer asked me the other day how ‘it‘ works for me. Meaning what’s my system? How do I stay productive and on track? As a paranormal romance author, I jokingly reminded her I’m not the ‘normal’ sort of writer.

But then I got to thinking…what does a normal writer look like? Every author has a slightly different process, a unique way of playing with letters, words and phrases to create a vibrant and valuable reading experience. Some authors even have a slightly different process with every book or the different genres they may write in.

As for the productive drafting stage of my particular writing process, the writing always gets rolling for me when I ask myself how I would show a specific characterization or character trait.

For instance, in The Matchmaker’s Mark – a new, lighter paranormal romance novel, Lily is the youngest of six and the only girl. It can’t possibly be easy having five older brothers who are better at everything. I wanted readers to know she could hold her own without just telling the reader she knew how to fight dirty. When I told myself to show that – the following scene found its way onto the page:

Amy, the Matchmaker, has been approached by ghosts in a cemetery. Dare, an elf guard isn’t happy about it, and Lily, a half-elf florist, is on Amy’s side:

“Nothing bad has happened,” Amy pointed out.

“We’re clearly operating with different definitions.”

Amy’s hands went to her hips. “Are you sensing any immediate danger?”

Watching them, Lily was reminded of many a conflict with her brothers. She wanted to laugh, but suddenly the air went cold and the Matchmaker closed her eyes. The ghosts were back and their silence blocked out all but the sound of her own heartbeat.

Dare reached for Amy, but Lily stopped him. “Don’t interrupt her.”

He scowled and tugged against her, but she had plenty of experience fighting dirty. She grabbed his ear and pushed her knee into the back of his. He went down with a thud, but it left Amy free to do her thing.

Sure as there was sunlight and rain, there was magic in Charleston she didn’t see or understand as a mere half-breed, but talking to a group of ghosts didn’t seem like something you just cut short. “You should know better.”

“Let me up,” Dare growled. “It isn’t safe here.”

“Guinness isn’t nervous.”

“He’s a dog.”

“He’s a smart dog.” She dug her knee deeper into the back of his, and tried to ignore the muscled shoulder under her palm. “They aren’t hurting her,” she whispered in his ear. “Lighten up already.”

She couldn’t believe she had Darian Knoll pinned to the cobblestone path in the Unitarian Churchyard. Too bad he wouldn’t let her take a picture, not that anyone but her brothers would understand the significance. And they’d say things about chivalry and how she’d only gotten the best of the famed Elite Guard because he didn’t want to hurt her. Brothers!

“Hey! If you want the ear so bad, I’ll cut it off for you.”

“What? Ewww. Sorry.” She let go of his ear, but lightly pinched a pressure point in his neck.

“Where the hell did you learn that trick?”

“Brothers.” The many humbling lessons had forced her to be quick and crafty. At the moment, she was fighting a losing battle with her foolish romantic notions as the scent of his skin had her feeling soft and dewy all over.

More recently, in my upcoming 2096 novel, I needed to jump start the writing and I had to ask myself how best to show Mira’s healing skills and her moral code. Sure fans know a little about her from cameos in the other 2096 novels and the short story Mira’s Gift, but how would a reader ‘see‘ her and ‘know‘ her if they only picked up the new novel?

I’m happy to report that when I asked myself to show Mira’s talent and compassion, the excitement ramped up and my writing progress soared. So that’s how it works for this paranormal romance author. At least this time around.

Live the adventure!

Hmm, is the world building for a paranormal romance novel really any different when the leading ladies are kick-butt, take charge kind of characters? The easy answer is no…and yet on some level it has to be.

No, the the settings of a paranormal romance novel don’t have to be bigger than life, imaginary places. World building for a paranormal romance novel can be equally effective in a known metropolitan area or a fictitious small town, U.S.A. If the author has taken the time to develop that world to the point that it’s an even match for the bigger than life alpha female character.

As both a reader and a writer, I believe it comes down to emphasizing the risk. An alpha female character is, by definition, going to be an independent sort, able to take care of herself, and willing to take chances to reach her goal or support her cause. The world building has to be dynamic and challenging enough to match her.

Think of world building as all about the rules for the playground your characters are using. In the case of alpha female characters, you don’t want them to overshadow or be able to conquer that world too easily. And you don’t want them to be bored by the villains or potential heroes who are also playing in that playground.

Much like you need romantic leads to be equals in intensity to offer the enticing conflict that carries a story, the risks in the world you build for your paranormal romance novel have to be enough of a danger, enough of a threat, without overshadowing the adventure itself.

So rather than elaborate on a drawing room’s lovely decor, when world building for a paranormal romance with an alpha female, you’d put that descriptive spotlight on the danger of said decor. Is there someone or something in that room that poses an immediate danger to your kick-butt leading lady?

When writing an alpha female who is master of her universe, or striving to be, any interruption to her controlled routine offers opportunity to build conflict and emphasize the risks she must overcome to reach her goal. The more you put into those dangers and risks, the more immersed the reader becomes in your world building and the more they care about your alpha female character.

Live the adventure!

Be sure to stop by Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews before August 13th to enter for the latest giveaway! See you there!

World building for a novel takes time. To build anything worthwhile takes time. A business, a house, a family, a meal. It all takes time.

As a reader I appreciate it when an author takes time for world building for a paranormal romance novel, or any other genre. It means I’m in for a terrific ride. Whether that ride is in a carriage through 1800s London, a runaway train in the American wild west of the early 1900s, or a restored 1957 Chevy modified to the strict environmental standards of 2096 in Chicago.

As an author of primarily paranormal romance novels, I invest a great deal of time reining in my imagination when I’m world building for a novel or a series. Sure I love the process of dreaming up the impossible feats and features of my 2096 world, but I pause and process, taking time to be sure it makes sense. Gravity has to work everywhere – unless of course there’s a good and valid reason.

As a reader, I admit I get impatient between the releases in my favorite series, but as an author, I understand the need for that time.

When the world building for a novel is effective, the read is seamless, a pure escape and joy to me as a reader. Harry Potter was one such series, but there are dozens of others. Harry Potter took a significant investment of time. A careful and thoughtful time investment from the very first kernel of Rowling’s idea through the eventual publication of book seven.

That investment of an author’s time pays off for the reader. And the time between books helps build anticipation in readers and fans for what could possibly come next. As a paranormal romance author of a unique series and setting (2096) I want my readers to enjoy the journey with the characters. To fall into the rich, dark escape of another world and ride out the whirlwind adventure.

That takes time.

Time I’m happy to invest because it means getting to play with ‘imaginary’ friends in ‘imaginary’ worlds as I craft my stories day in and day out. Time that I hope pays off for my readers who deserve the very best investment I can make while world building for my paranormal romance novels.

Live the adventure!