GUEST BLOG: LEIA SHAW


This post is part of a Virtual Book Tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a backlist eBook, and $25 Amazon or BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on her tour. Remember, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


Challenges in writing paranormal romance
by
Leia Shaw, author of Destiny Bewitched


I love my genre. You know why? Cause I’m lazy. And writing fantasy is good for lazy people. I’m no historian. And I don’t like doing research. I’d much rather let my inner-muse free to run around the room with her fairy wings on and sing songs about never growing up. Doesn’t that sound like more fun?

The biggest challenge when making up your own world that includes supernatural species and multiple dimensions is staying consistent. If, in book one, I say vampires can’t go out in the sun, then that sure as hell can’t change in book four. This has given me trouble a couple times when I wished I had allowed for more freedom for the species. But it just means I have to get more creative with how I move the plot.

Another challenge is being original. So much has been done before, especially when it comes to vampires and werewolves. So I’ve included other beings like fae, dragons, skinwalkers, witches, sorcerers, and more. Here’s a little snippet from Destiny Bewitched that illustrates the use of mythological creatures in the Underworld – where the book mainly takes place.

One of the skinwalkers gave a little smirk. Then they exploded. No long, painful transformation where they’d be left vulnerable. One moment they were men, the next they were…

Her jaw dropped. They sure as hell weren’t coyotes.

“Son of a –”

“Sorcerer’s whore,” Geo finished in a whisper.

Worgs. Large enough to ride on and covered in gray fur, thicker on the top like a mane. Four eyes, two on each side of their heads narrowed in her direction. Their teeth were at least three inches long. Claws that rivaled a werewolves’ dug into the dirt. Erebus had nothing on these guys.

“Geo?” She kept her gaze on the beasts. “These are not coyotes.”

He unsheathed his sword and widened his stance. Eyes focused on the worgs, he said, “Your five-year plan, Samantha, do we die today?”

“No.”

“Good girl. Stay focused.”

Right. Focused.
Since some of my material is dark and gruesome, it can be a challenge to add humor. I love making people laugh. It’s like a life mission for me. So it’s important for my books to be funny as well. There are a couple different types of humor I use in my books. Sarcasm is a favorite. I’m silly and witty, but what fits best in books like mine is dark humor. Here’s a little sample for you.

She stuffed the Grimoire back into her bag. “I also have a potion that can make them fall in love.”

Geo sighed. “Make them fall in love? How in Zeus’ name could that help us?”

“Easy. I’ll make them fall in love with the pointy end of our swords.”
Those are the challenges I’ve encountered so far in writing paranormal romance. I hope you’ll give my new book, Destiny Bewitched, a try. And if you have a little dark, twisted but creative muse inside you, maybe you should give writing paranormal a try too!

About the Author:
I began my writing journey while I was stranded at the airport waiting for my delayed flight. I browsed the Border’s kiosk and grew frustrated that I couldn’t find the “it factor” — the perfect combination of alpha male-ness, ass-kickery, strong females, magic, and sex.

So I spent the next four hours on an airplane writing my first book on scraps of paper and an airsick bag (which thankfully I didn't need to use).

Now I spend too much time in my head, plotting evil villains and the hot men (and women) who ruthlessly kill them. I think far too much about fae politics, dragon power games, and how fast werewolves can change forms. But writing my paranormal romance series has given me a productive place to express those dark places in my mind.

I live in New England with my husband and two kids. Though I will go to my grave denying it, my husband insists I would be thrilled if he suddenly sprouted fangs.

Find Leia online at:

Website: www.LeiaShaw.com
Blog: www.leiashaw.blogspot.com
Twitter: @LeiaShaw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leiashaw
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/leiashaw



Deemed “trailer trash” by humans and the daughter of the most disgraceful family of witches and warlocks since the Puritan age, Samantha is used to fighting her own battles. When her younger sister is taken to the Underworld, Sam doesn't hesitate to rescue her. To survive the harsh land, she makes a deal with a demon — the most dangerous of creatures in the realm. Even with those lustrous horns, Geo is as hot as the hell she's stuck in. Fighting nasty beasts in a supernatural version of the gladiator games is easy compared to falling in love with a man who has no future to offer.

Comments

  1. Thank you for hosting Leia today

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  2. MomJane7:31 AM

    I love the humor in the excerpts I read -- sounds like a really fun book!

    jbandy8233 AT gmail DOT com

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  3. thank you so much for having me today! I hope readers enjoy my snippets and give my book a try :)

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  4. I enjoyed the excerpt.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. Loved the samples you gave! Im going to order this book today<3

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  6. I forgot to add my email =( tree1313chevy@gmail.com

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  7. Anonymous11:07 AM

    World-building looks like a challenge, but also exciting and fun!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. I'm still laughing!!! I'll make them fall in love with the pointy ends of our swords. That is creative, indeed.
    I'm really enjoying following along the tour. Thanks for sharing your post today Leia.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  9. I think one definitely needs some humor, especially snarky humor, in a book that's dark (and gruesome). It keeps it from being too oppressive and depressing.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  10. Being consistent with the flow of information must be a pain at times, but as a reader certainly appreciated.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. Rebecca Hipworth7:53 AM

    Sounds like an enjoyable read. :)

    Becky01x(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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