Friday, May 13, 2011

Romantic Suspense with Paranormal elements

You know you’re a romantic suspense writer with paranormal elements when things appear in your stories that have no earthly explanation. You know what I mean, things that go bump in the night when the house is vacant, except for the hero/heroine. A window that splinters in a spider webbed manifestation when the cold air of a ghost passes by. Or the bloody knife that appeared on the kitchen counter, only to vanish the next minute?

Or it could be that the hero/heroine has found an object let’s say a ‘coin’ that brings good luck or glows when a question is asked of it.

It is the what ‘ifs’ that fuel my mind's eye when I am writing. ‘What if the bubble wand when used creates a whole other universe?”

“What if the hero answers the doorbell to find not a neighbor, but a beautiful fair haired witch dressed in thigh high black leather boots and a hot pink mini-skirt?”

“What if the scarred drum when beat can contact the spirits of the nether world, or an ancient medicine woman?” “And what if that medicine woman’s wisdom can solve the mystery for the heroine?”

You get the idea. I never know for sure who will show up in my stories and I am constantly surprised at the ‘magical’ tools that appear.

This all makes the journey worthwhile. To write this way I have to be able to suspend skepticism and just go for it, creating and living the story as it flows through my imagination gathering speed and out my fingertips to the keyboard.

I have a lucky charm, a marble given to me by a writer friend. When I get puzzled as to the next path my story should take, I worry the marble in my hand, and believe it or not, I usually find my answer.

Do you have a good luck charm or worry bead?

25 comments:

maepen said...

I don't have a good luck charm exactly, but when I'm writing I surround myself with things the people I love have given me. For example, my father has given me a woman with gargole wings sitting on a crystal ball and a porcelin figure of an elder elf. I like the idea of a goodluck charm when you're writing.
You're ideas sound so intentering. You mst make a wonderful brainstorming partner.

Sarah Raplee said...

I have a Tinkerbell statue my sister gave me that sits on a shelf in my office. *VBG*

And you ARE a wonderful brainstorming partner, Sis!

Judith Ashley said...

I've a small altar set up on the base of my monitor. Black Tourmaline and Smoky Quartz to offset the electronic energy from the computer; a beaded 'storyteller, a turquoise and coral ring surrounded by two snakes representing transformation as well as a few other things.

I'm well protected and inspired when writing on my WIP.

Lisa said...

It's amazing to me to read about your wonderful creative writing. Offers me a glimpse of another side of my mom. I am so grateful that some of your artistic talents have passed on to your grandchildren...I look forward to hearing more in your blog. Love you!

Paty Jager said...

Loved the post! I'm not sure I have a good luck charm but I do tend to clutter, I mean, put things on my desk that my writer friends have given me. Kind of like charms to writing mojo I guess. Pretty soon my desk won't have room for my laptop.

ElaineCharton said...

I don't have a marble per-se. My husband gave me a piece of Connemara marble that I use.
Great post!

Diana McCollum said...

I love you to, Lisa! I am so glad you are keeping up with the blog. I would like you to be my 'cold reader' when I finish this manuscript.

Diana McCollum said...

Mae, I too, surround myself with items given to me by loved ones and friends. I feel energy from them. When I look at certain items I smile and just feel better. Thanks for the comment on being a good brainstorming partner. My partners have trained me well!:))

Diana McCollum said...

Sister dearest! Yes, I agree Tinkerbell's motto "I believe" on the statue is a motto we writers need to remember. To believe in ourselves and our writing.

Diana McCollum said...

Judith, You sound fascinating, with your alter and beaded story teller. I hope I can see the beaded story teller one day. I like stones and semiprecious gems. They hold energy and I feel sometimes healing powers.

Diana McCollum said...

Patti, I know what you mean about clutter! My desk is pretty clean right now, but that is only because I've been packing to move to Oregon. I'm really enjoying "Spirit of the Mountain".

Diana McCollum said...

Elaine, What is connemara marble? Is it huge like a writing desk, or a rock that sits on your desk. Glad you stopped by.

Sarah Raplee said...

I want to know, too, Elaine! It sounds very special. What is it?

ElaineCharton said...

http://www.connemara-marble.com/
This site will show you more about it Connemara is the area in Ireland where the marble is found. I have a small piece of it that my husband gave me. I also have a necklace with a small piece in it.

Sarah Raplee said...

Elaine, I went to the website and WOW!!! That is a beautiful stone!

My husband and i are rock collectors, and he makes jewelery. He's gonna want some of that to work with. Your husband has good taste. Have you been to Ireland?

ElaineCharton said...

Sarah-
No I haven't been to Ireland. I want to go there and to Scotland. My family is from both places. In my copious spare time :) I'm doing genealogy (?SP).

Yea my husband does have good taste. We'll be married 27 years in July so I'd say he knows me fairly well.

Diana McCollum said...

Elaine, That is an absolutely beautiful stone. I went to the jewelry site and the pieces reminded me of an old necklace I have with a jade pendant. I make jewelry and do bead work, h-m=m I might have to purchase some Connemara marble to use. Good luck with your genealogy research.

ElaineCharton said...

thanks Dianna I'm having fun doing it.

Dee Brice said...

It's wonderful to see you here! A great blog.
Dee

Cathryn Cade said...

Love reading about the objects you all have around your writing space.

Mine vary, but I have a smooth river rock with the word 'Imagine' carved into the top. It is always right in front of me, under the monitor.

Best,
Cathryn

Diana McCollum said...

Waving Wildly!! Hi, Dee, thanks so much for stopping by. Dee is my Sacramento Valley Rose Sister! A wonderful published writer of Erotica.

Diana McCollum said...

Cathryn, your river rock with 'Imagine" carved into it sounds perfectly inspiring for an author. Thanks for stopping by.

Judith Ashley said...

Connemarra Marble is lovely. I've several pieces I bought while in Ireland in 1994. If you watch QVC they have great Irish programs for St. Patrick's Day (March) and Rose of Tralee (September). Then you can buy pieces of Connemarra Marble - necklaces made of beads that you could take apart and make into something else.

Loved Ireland and also Scotland and Englad - still need to do Wales. Would love to go back - oh yes, in all that free time I have.
(She laughs hysterically seeing 148 emails to go through).

ElaineCharton said...

Judith-
You mean in our copious spare time.

Judith Ashley said...

Oh, yeah...that's what I meant, the copious spare time I wallow in.
(She chuckles madly thinking "I've only three left of forty-four blogs to check for commenters").