My real life is not boring, at least not to me. I have a busy, often crazy family full of plenty of drama, but in the grand scheme of things, the rest of the world would see my real life as pretty boring, uninspiring and humdrum.
Maybe that is why I vacation in another place. It may have been created just to give me something to do at night, but the world of my writing has become a real place, a home away from home. The places are real to me, and so are the people. Not to mention the trials and tribulations my poor characters are forced to overcome.
I’ve had readers and writers ask how I come up with so many strange plots and it’s funny. I actually don’t know. Every now and then I will get stuck on some point and then I play what I call the “what if” game. The way that works is I think about the current characters and the current problems and then I start a list of what if scenarios. Some of them are boring or expected options, but others can be way out there.
Does anyone remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books? I loved those. I’ve often thought creating a paranormal romance story with options for the reader to choose would be fun. I haven’t done one yet but I think I might just put it on my to-do list.
Back to where I get my ideas… While at Romantic Times this year I heard JR Ward talk about the story just being there and she’s just in charge of putting it down. I understand that feeling. I think maybe for my first book I was still sort of in control, but after that… well let’s just say that the story is bigger and stronger than me. I can close my eyes and see these places. I walk around my house talking to these people. I know when I’m writing their story and when I’ve gotten off track.
Because when I get off track, the story stops. Writing becomes harder than catching a greased pig. I do battle with the story, I struggle for every word and I lose the quality. Usually I see it happening and can stop and look at the work and figure out where I stepped off the path. Once I find the problem, I can fix it and move on, no longer having to fight it.
Perhaps this answers why I sometimes dislike writing the love scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading them, and living them. (grin) But sometimes the people become so real to me that I feel like I’m invading their privacy. Those times it can be a struggle to get through the scenes. Once I manage though, I always go back and find that the people, knowing them so well make the scenes so much more personal. Not personal as in “hey I think I will try that tonight with hubby” but personal as in I can see why those two people are in love. I can see why they have to be together or the world will stop turning.
“But how did you come up with your world? It is so diverse!”
What world isn’t? My stories all started out with my Eagle Clan. (Insert plug here-> Eagle Clan 1: Father of the Wolf is coming in print this Friday –July 25th!) The Eagle Clan was so powerful and emotional that I just had to see around the edges to see what was coming for them. Once I got a glimpse I saw that there were demons and gods and vampires and all these different people who all had stories to tell me. (HINT: they are all connected to the Eagle Clan.) The Eagle Clan is just one family amid a whole culture of werewolves. My werewolves have ties to humans and plenty of other nonhumans.
Think Seven Degrees of Separation. In Eagle Clan 2: Destiny I introduce a Tascryn demon named Grant. Grant is the hero of Of Blood and Blessings. Grant’s mother is Sadrina from Blood Reign. Sadrina’s man rules over Niflheim (better known as hell) and he commands Bryck from the Anom’tan books. Bryck’s woman is from an as yet unreleased book that I can’t tell you about. LOL! The Anom’tan unit is living in a building that once was used by… wait can’t tell you that either. And the Bryck’s Anom’tan unit will be in the next Lynx Clan book. Oh Sadrina (Grant’s mom) was also the one who changed Rook into a vampire even though it is breaking her own rules. Good thing she did because Rook is just perfect for Angel and Angel is the heroine from Misplaced Fate and she needs herself a tough man. Oh and remember Kita from Destiny? If you liked her check out my short story, The Promise.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Once I met these people I had access to so many stories that I could write for a lifetime and never get them all down. In fact, I think I will write for a lifetime… maybe more.
Don’t forget Father of the Wolf!
Run out (or stay in) and buy a copy. Even if you have the e-book, because the new edit has offered a refreshing new look at my favorite clan. Not only that, but book two is already available and book three is nearly done. And if that isn’t enough incentive, think about how many other books I have that are all connected. Jump right in and learn all the secrets to my universe.
Here’s what others had to say about Father of the Wolf…
“L. Shannon has written an exciting story full of adventure, betrayal, love and hope.” Love Romances and More
“action comes with fangs and claws as well as the gun and knife” The Romance Studio
“L Shannon has crafted a tight story that entices the reader to flip pages and figure out what is coming next. For those who like shape shifter/werewolf stories with intrigue and romance, FATHER OF THE WOLF is a perfect read.” Scribes World
“L. Shannon is a master at creating a mythical world and making it seem realistic; I almost expected to turn a corner and find my own shifter waiting for me.” Joyfully Reviewed
“If you love paranormal stories, you have to read FATHER OF THE WOLF. Be prepared to spend hours in a place where shape shifters not only seem natural, but desirable.” Romance Review Today
“Ms. Shannon brings the world of magic and Shape-shifters to life” The Best Reviews
“This book was a wild ride. I didn’t put it down” ParaNormalRomance Reviews
Want to learn more about Father of the Wolf? Check out the book trailers at my website!
L. Shannon
www.lshannon.net
Welcome to my world.
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