Thursday, September 30, 2010

Real World Elements For Paranormal Romance Novels

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 -

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Spotlight on World Building!

When a friend showed me this great spoof on the new Old Spice commercials from BYU, it was easy to just appreciate the humorous way to deliver a message. Then she shared the behind the scenes video, and I realized it was a perfect, visual lesson on world building for paranormal romance novels.

First, here’s the final product:

I loved the video, the clever script and the polish of the finished product. Watching this video you can see how the tight angles and the placement of the proverbial spotlight enhances the overall effect of the message. This video makes an impact (and usually makes people smile).

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Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Ears of Adopted Greyhounds

Greyhound dogs are members of the sight hounds classification, meaning their vision is fantastic and they lock onto movement - even in the distance. If that movement is intriguing they'll race after whatever it is, no matter the risk. When you plan to adopt greyhound retirees, this single mindedness is one of the first things they warn you about.

(So always keep your greyhound in a safe, fenced area or on a leash.)

Naturally, greyhound eyes are expressive, but for sight hounds, adopted gre

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Defining the Alpha Female For Paranormal Romance

The alpha female runs the show right? Maybe, but I don't believe having an alpha female lead in a paranormal romance means the other characters can be flat. Think about the 'take charge' people in your world. Would they be amused or suffer bouts of despair to be surrounded by 'yes men' at every turn?

My very first seriously kick-butt-take-no-prisoners alpha female, Jaden Michaels (Justice Incarnate) would've been even more irritable if the people around her simply agreed to everything she sai

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Community Strength in World Building for Paranormal Romance Novels

I saw this quote "Knowledge is power, community is strength and positive attitude is everything." from Lance Armstrong.

Immediately I thought how apropos for world building! Next I wondered why I'm on a Lance kick, but since there are worse habits to have, I didn't spend a lot of time analyzing it.

Applying that quote to world building for a paranormal romance novel felt as natural as breathing. When you're creating a world with new rules, uniquely talented characters, or fresh twists on

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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Adopted Greyhound Joy!

The top five things my adopted greyhound do that bring me joy:
1. Smile! That's right, all three of my greyhounds 'smile'. It's fabulous and you just can't help smiling back. In fact, most of our greyhounds smile, but some are better than others. Best smile in the house these days goes to Brody (but don't tell the others I said that). He just has the right combination of warmth and goofy. It's endearing.

2. Romp! Yup, watching my greys romp through the yard brings me joy. They're so sleek an

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Momentum Is An Element of Paranormal Romance Novels

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 ke

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Many thanks to Untamed Book Reviews for the feature and review! http://ping.fm/Yin6A

Alpha Females For Your Kindle

Of course you can read alpha female heroines from a wide variety of authors on paper, on your Kindle, or anywhere you might want to read an eBook (with your favorite device or the appropriate app).

But I'm focused on Kindle today because of reader convenience and pricing.

All of the full length novels in my Shadows of Justice series, Justice Incarnate, Invasion of Justice, and Veil of Justice are only $2.99 each on Kindle. That's $8.97 for the entire series! One stop shopping and way les

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Saturday, September 11, 2010

Alpha Female Greyhound Finds The Angle

When people meet our adopted greyhound Boo, they usually think "Awww, sweet face!" And she looks so small next to Brody and Bandit, it's natural to assume she gets pushed around.

You'd be wrong.

Boo is the alpha female of our pack of adopted greyhounds and as such, she's an expert at getting exactly what she wants when she wants it. It's not the irresistible face, it's the attitude. This adopted greyhound is determined.

Two big boys between her and Daddy? No problem, if she can't squeez

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Veil of Justice is just one giveaway at From The Shadows. Stop by and enter to win http://ping.fm/I059W

Regan Black Guest Author and Giveaway!

While occasionally I give things away here (like Monica's book on September 2nd and Tanya's book on September 7th) today you'll have to click on over to From The Shadows, where E.J. Stevens has me engaged in a snappy, fun and interactive interview.

Which means we need YOU to make it complete.

I was thrilled to be invited to her blog for this interview and I know we're going to have all kinds of fun! E.J.'s a poet and paranormal author in her own right (She Smells The Dead) releases....TOD

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Guest Author Tanya Michaels On World Building!

I'm so pleased to have Tanya Michaels here today! She's the author of more than 40 short stories, books, novellas and published essays. A popular event speaker (on topics like world building among others) she's also been nominated for dozens of awards, winning the Published Maggie Award of Excellence, the Booksellers' Best Bet (two years in a row), the CataRomance Readers' Choice, and the Sandra Anglain Chastain Service Award. She is also a three-time finalist for Romance W

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Adopted Greyhounds Roo The Day!

There are a couple possible plays on that phrase:

Adopted greyhounds rule the day! Of course they do. Adopt a greyhound and you'll understand exactly what I mean - they're just the best kind of dogs to have. Quick to bond, generous spirit...yes, I'm moderately addicted and completely biased. Why do you ask?

Adopted greyhounds rue the day! This, hmm, not such a greyt fit. I mean really, what do adopted greyhounds have to regret? When they come off the track to loving homes it's life in the

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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Having a great time with Monica Burns! Come join the fun and you might win a book! http://ping.fm/YbmXr

Monica Burns Guest Author and Book Giveaway

I'm thrilled to have the extraordinary Monica Burns guest blogging here today! Not only is she providing fabulous information on a few key marketing elements of paranormal romance novels (and books in general)- she and her publisher, Berkley Sensation, are giving away a copy of Assassin's Heart! (The cover alone gives me a fever!) So please, leave a comment (at the reganblack.com site) with your email address so I can contact you for mailing details if you're the lucky winner!

Now, without further ado...Here's Monica

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