Video Games Teach World Building

That’s right, even for paranormal romance writers, gaming can be a serious business enterprise.

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!

Regan

Adopted Greyhounds Ambassadors For Contentment

Our adopted greyhounds are typical of the breed: they sleep away a good bit of the day. Up to 18 hours a day, according to experts. Which is nice if, like me, you work at home and the quiet is a productivity boost.

Of course there's the rule's exception with Bandit. Still a puppy he needs more playtime, but as he nears his second birthday, the quiet spells of precisely 90 minutes are stretching to two hours. Shhh, don't laugh too loud or I won't get through this post without throwing the sq

Read more ...

Win a copy of Veil of Justice at Goodreads! http://ping.fm/oFqGF

Productive day, repaired a towel rack, regrouted a bit of tile (without hurting my back) and now more writing!

Celebrating 29 free stories to readers! Will you be 30? http://ping.fm/dMhL1

Adopted Greyhounds Love Company!

Company's coming!

It's always fun to see how our different greyhounds adapt to the arrival of guests. When Brody was the youngest, he was always first to the door, now that he's the oldest, he's more content to let Boo and Bandit lead the welcome wagon.

When you adopt greyhounds you open yourself up to a lifetime of discovery and joy since they live such wonderfully long and active lives.

Bandit loves to be the first, and as the biggest and goofiest, you'd think he'd jump all ov

Read more ...

Another Shadows of Justice novella - Dream Works - new to Smashwords and free thru July 31! http://ping.fm/I7vOF

From The Ashes (shadows of justice novella) now free at Smashwords through July 31!!! http://ping.fm/WRE57

News and Excerpt For Hobbitville Fans!

For readers who follow the young adult Hobbitville saga of short stories featuring a quartet of girlfriends known as the Pixie Chicks. The girls: Brie, Claire, Lana and Austin are in their junior year of high school and are all part of the marching band program. One of the many band perks is being in on the secret post-football game treks to the mystery-packed garden referred to as Hobbitville.

The current releases in this series are available at OmniLit and Kindle for only 99 cents! This is

Read more ...

So happy to have a story on the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale! http://ping.fm/PXQOi

Confessions Of An Alpha Female On Hiatus

In my continuing efforts to redefine what it means to be the alpha female in my world, I'm learning to be more realistic about what I can and cannot achieve in any given day.

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 wr

Read more ...

If only I could channel the strengths of my characters! http://ping.fm/ccZCP

Seizing Your Best Elements Of Paranormal Romance Novels

The elements of paranormal romance novels are only limited by the author's imagination and ability to make it believable for the fans of the genre.

I've always subscribed to the theory that you should 'do' what you're good at (and 'do' the things you enjoy being good at) This is a theory I grew up with, first presented by my father as: Do what you love and the money will follow.

Exception to the rule of this theory: I used to be pretty good at sleeping, but no one will pay me for that, unl

Read more ...

Peanut Butter Is Training Tool For Adopted Greyhounds

Peanut butter - it's not just for chocolate anymore!

Or jelly. For years we've used peanut butter as a training tool with greyhound fosters and our adopted greyhounds. Peanut butter is a safe people food (in moderation) for positive reinforcement with the greyhounds.

Bandit the puppy is very strong willed and it took time, patience, ice and peanut butter to train him to come in the house when we called rather than when he was in the mood.

Peanut butter is the best flavor for medicine!

Read more ...

WooHoo! A holiday Hobbitville story is available again! http://ping.fm/AwzIv

Seize the day - better late than never at http://ping.fm/JziaA

It's Saturday and reganblack.com! Greyhounds like peanut butter almost as much as chocolate likes peanut butter! http://ping.fm/28d3A

Finished the edits so I'm back online again! Yay! http://ping.fm/J0Fwq