No, it’s not simply the best part of writing paranormal romance. It’s the best part of writing paranormal anything. The biggest joy to adding paranormal to any story – I get to make up how magic works. Oh, it’s so much fun! I not only get to decide what kinds of magic exist in the … More The Best Part of Writing Paranormal Romance
Because it’s something I deal with on a regular basis, I want to talk a little about how small talk at work is bad for anxiety – how trying to be polite and interested in another person’s life can send them in a small meltdown of fears and doubts. Here’s the setup: You get a … More How Small Talk at Work Is Bad for Anxiety
That annoying, malevolent sound that shoves you abruptly from sleep is generally the enemy. After a night of strange dreams, however, it’s almost welcome. Like the sound of a rescue party or a cell door opening. After the rude start to consciousness, those strange, disturbing dreams quickly fade, leaving vague impressions and an unsettled feeling. … More Strange Dreams: Shadowy Puppet Masters
Have you ever thought about the minor characters in romance novels? From a writing perspective, I mean. There aren’t very many of them, are there? Well, not compared to other types of books. The standard romance novel has a small handful of named supporting cast and another group of un-named, even more minor characters. Like … More Minor Characters in Romance Novels
Self-help books are such a huge industry that it’s hard to see them as anything but a money-making ploy. Partially because so many of them are bad. Really bad. To the point where buying self-help books always feels like taking a risk. Like there’s 90% chance I’m throwing my money away. Or higher. But there … More Taking a Risk with Self-Help Books: The Depression Project
That sounds like a loaded question, but I’m talking about typing. Do your fingers have off days where they can’t seem to type anything right? Everything’s jumbled, and you have to go back over and over to fix spelling. When I have those days, it gets frustrating fast simply because it isn’t normal. My fingers … More Do Your Fingers Have Off Days?
I have one of those brains that picks things apart and looks at angles that should’ve remained buried. Which is why I think of questions romance novelists shouldn’t ask themselves (or anyone really). Or drunken romance novel philosophy questions (not that I’m drunk, but those are the kinds of questions). All right. Brace yourselves – … More 5 Questions Romance Novelists Shouldn’t Ask
As someone who struggles regularly with depression and anxiety, especially lately, I’ve come to realize just how much I hate “How are you doing?” – not the genuine question, the small talk. If someone genuinely asks how I’m doing and wants a real answer, that’s one thing. That’s a conversation, and if they know to … More I Hate “How Are You Doing?”
From a reader’s perspective, how good does a romance novel have to be to be worth reading? When you talk about plot, characterization, and other writing skills, a lot of the romance novels I’ve read would rank pretty low. Which makes me think there’s a kind of spectrum: ok to read once worth re-reading but … More How Good Does a Romance Novel Need to Be?
Did you ever notice how many characters in romance novels are wealthy? Or at least pretty dang comfortable. A lot, right? And the number of rich people in romance novels has a pretty big effect on the plot. Need to take a week off suddenly to hide from a murderer? No problem. Need to travel … More Rich People in Romance Novels
Savannah Knightly 