Tuesday, July 12, 2011

World Building For a Writing Career, part 2

World building is vital to every nuance of a productive writing life. As a paranormal romance author, I carefully consider the worlds I build for my paranormal romance and urban fantasy characters to venture through. Additionally, I've learned (through much trial and error) to carefully manage my time and build my work environment to maintain the quality of my writing.

But then, when the paranormal romance novel is done, it's time to get busy with the world building necessary for marketing

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Saturday, July 9, 2011

An Adopted Greyhound Collection

One more reason for my addiction to the outstanding dog breed of retired, adopted greyhounds: 5 greyhounds in one room and no fighting, not even much grumbling. Even with a stressful situation like noisy fireworks.

That's five dogs with long legs, noses and tails and an average weight of approximately 70 pounds each. Yup, that means a lot of adopted greyhound cooperation.

We've been dogsitting for Ransom and Ozzie, a pair of greyhounds we adore, while their daddy took a well-deserved

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Defining the Alpha Female Character

Recently an interviewer asked me to explain the difference between urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels and where my books fit in. I had to laugh because when I started the Shadows of Justice series, publishing was a whole different world and urban fantasy wasn't yet defined as such. Anything with a romantic element that wasn't contemporary or a space odyssey was labeled paranormal romance.

In the near future of 2096 Jaden Michaels (heroine of Justice Incarnate) is a kick-butt, alpha

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

World Building for a Writing Career

Lily Tomlin said, "We're all in this together - by ourselves." It's a quote I keep in a place of prominence on my desk. Specifically those words are printed on a purple star courtesy of the fabulous Margie Lawson. It's a potent reminder for my world building of paranormal romance novels and my writing career.

I chose that star from a basket filled with quotes and encouragement in the goodie room at an RWA national conference years ago. While those words can certainly apply to many facets of

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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Adopted Greyhound Full of Love and Concern

Well, we had a bit of excitement this week. Our precious Boo, queen of our three-pack of adopted greyhounds had a grand mal seizure Monday afternoon.

It was terrifying as she started with foaming at the mouth and a twitchy lip, then suddenly collapsed in a full blown seizure that lasted about 5 minutes. Absolutely terrifying. I'd had no first hand experience with this and I fumbled, one hand on the phone dialing the vet, one hand on Bandit as we helplessly waited it out.

First, let me say

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