When the "Prompt" is Wrong: ***WRITE A NEW TRILOGY***

I posted some of this in January 2015 and now we come full circle; this contemporary paranormal Hansen trilogy releases in print on January 26, 2016!

I happen to be one of those odd ducks who refuses to write anything that does not fit her brand; I do not wish to waste either the words or the effort. So when the opportunity arose, I launched into my first contemporary paranormal story. Ever.

I knew enough about the genre to realize that world-building is key. Whatever the rules for the fantastical element, they must be logical and consistent throughout the manuscript(s).

If you know me, then you know that I write the Hansen Series with Norwegian heroes. And the only way I figured I could be true to that brand, was by making the hero a Viking ghost from the year 1070.

“Hollis McKenna walked into the hotel foyer and spotted him across the space, leaning casually against the wall. His eyes flicked back and forth, examining the largely female crowd with unexpected seriousness. She assumed he must be one of the cover models, dressed as he was in costume—though fur and leather were unfortunate choices on this roasting Labor Day weekend in Phoenix.”

And just like that, Sveyn Hansen manifested himself into my life. And into the life of Hollis McKenna, curator for the brand new Natural History wing (which does not exist) at the Arizona Historical Society Museum (which does) in Tempe, Arizona. Boom.

Sveyn was far too compelling to be quiet. He kept explaining what happened to him, and how he really is not a ghost, because he never actually died. And then I realized why he has been drawn to Hollis: to finally get his Happily Ever After.

I bounced my premise and its resolution off several paranormal-reading friends, and every one of them bought into it. And when I explained the major shift in the middle of their relationship, they got goose bumps. Goose bumps.

And now, Sveyn Hansen is set to meet the world.

The release party will be at the museum where the heroine Hollis works. And the collections manager proofed my books to make sure my details were correct. And she got so excited that her intern asked if she could come to the release party, too.

Because of my appearance schedule this coming year, I’m not releasing the ebooks until March 15th so that the print copies get “legs” at the big events I’m attending. So, mark your calendars.

'Cause Sveyn rocks.

Venturing into new territory…

I have always read historical romance. I cut my teeth on "Gone with the Wind" in junior high. I discovered Kathleen Woodiwiss in college, and enjoyed her books for years afterwards. Finally, I was inspired to try my hand at writing because of Diana Gabaldon's Jamie and Claire.

It turns out that, after becoming an adult who didn't have to worry about a bunch of random dates and boring treaties, I really like history. I am fascinated by the people who came before us and the lives they lived.

Let's be honest, which one of us hasn't thought about time travel – going back into the past and experiencing what it was like to live during Jane Austin's time. Or Henry the Eighth's. Or ancient Rome. Now, by writing historical novels, I can immerse myself into people's lives during any time frame I choose. When I discover some interesting historical nugget, I send one of characters off to experience it, allowing me to do so vicariously.

But this month's subject is "near death experiences" and the reader must be wondering what writing historical stories has to do with the that. Bear with me. I'll get there.

I am going to be in an anthology next summer, consisting of very short stories which are contemporary in nature. I am very excited to be on board, but at the same time, I never want to write and publish anything which does not fall under my brand.

(Which is "Norway is the New Scotland" in case the reader didn't know. It's time for heroes who do not wear kilts.)

So, how do I write a contemporary story, with a Norse hero, and historical elements, in only two-thousand words?

I make it a paranormal, of course.

Which means very tight world-building. I still need to have an arc to the story and somewhat rounded out characters. I can't spend my precious and limited word count on explaining who, what, when, where, why, and how – it's more important to present a hero and heroine who are immediately likable and sympathetic. And in clear conflict.

While the challenge was happily accepted, I had no idea it would be such fun!

Once unleashed onto the virtual page, these two leapt to life. Quirky, damaged, confused, and thoroughly entertaining, my hero and heroine have far more questions ahead of them than answers.

As it turned out, extrapolating forward to complete the world that I had started building revealed an incredible construct; one strong enough to support these characters through a trilogy of their own, and beyond. I have to admit, I don't read enough paranormal, or actually any, to know if this particular idea has been "done" before, but even if it has, my story will be unique. Look at "Twilight" – sparkling vegetarian vampires. Who knew.

I don't want to give away the story before it is published, but I will say this (and here it comes): the story presents a twist on near death experiences. Boo-yah!

In a moment of shameless self-promotion. I would like t mention that this particular anthology will be released at The Dreams Convention 2015, and will only be available at the event bookstore, and only in print (early bird tickets are still available for $89 for the reader portion of the event, Arizona Dreamin'). What the other authors choose to do with their stories after that brief window closes is up to them.

As for me, I'll be entering a brave, newly created world. I can't wait.