Wicked Wednesday - writing that first paragraph

It might seem like a lot of pressure... Okay, there is a lot of pressure on writers to hook the reader in with the first paragraph. Most readers need to feel an immediate interest in the protagonist and his/her story. It's a tricky feat to accomplish and even trickier to do so with paranormal romance. The stakes are raised because the reader is expecting something apart from the ordinary.

The first sentence needs to have a hook. Use humor or a surprising fact about the protagonist or his/her world. Keep it short and snappy.

Make sure your protagonist has a unique voice. Paranormal romance gives you a lot of room to create amazing characters. They do have to be human enough for the reader to relate to, but just a little tweak to the ordinary can go a long way. Also, keep in mind, something way outside the norm can turn the reader off.

Introducing danger immediately is an excellent way to hook a reader in. Paranormal romances tend to be fast paced and full of action. The tension and immediacy will set your reader on the edge of their seat.

Set the tone of your novel. A few shocking words can take the story a long way. Make it intriguing and quietly raise the questions your novel will address.

Three wonderful examples:
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Fallen by Lauren Kate

What are some of your favorite first paragraphs?

Please check out my interview with science-fiction romance author Aubrie Dionne and comment for a chance to win a copy of A Hero Rising. You still have two days to enter!

Catch Fire! Blog Party

Today is the Catch Fire! Blog Party. Woo-hoo! We're celebrating the release of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The goal is to help CassaFire "catch fire" and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar. There's also a bunch of prizes being given away on Alex's blog as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour. Head over to Alex's site for details.

Don't think I'm helping to promote Alex just for the prizes. (Though, they are a nice bonus!) I've read his first book, CassaStar, and it's a fantastic work of science-fiction. Sharp writing, intense drama, and gripping action. What impressed me most about Alex's writing is how wonderfully vivid the fight scenes are. It's like they come to life on the movie screen of my mind. I can't wait to get my hands on CassaFire.

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. 

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

Available today at:

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Watch the book trailer!

Teaser Tuesday with Outlander

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm branching out from a romance that's a little paranormal but more historical. There's been a lot of hype around Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. It's a thick book. Too thick perhaps?

Here's your teaser:
We rolled on the wet grass in a tangle of skirts and squeals. Letting go of her blouse at last, I relaxed into a dramatically spread-eagle heap, rain pattering down on my upturned face. (page 177)

Please check out my interview with science-fiction romance author Aubrie Dionne and enter for your chance to win a copy of her book, A Hero Rising.

Tundra 37 Review

Aboard the Expedition, the Lifers carry on with their every day tasks as the deep space vessel speeds along to a new paradise. The regular calm order is destroyed when the ship is damaged by a comet. Unable to complete the mission, they land on Tundra 37 with the hope of settling on the frozen planet.

Gemme is the ship's Match-maker. Her life is quiet and full of numbers. When her name pops up on the screen along with the gorgeous Lieutenant Miles Brentwood's, she panics and deletes it. Yet it seems fate won't be denied. Gemme is assigned to be on Miles' team to search Tundra 37 for a fuel source the ship desperately needs. Out in the numbing cold, they face monsters, a greedy teammate, and each other.

This story is wonderfully deep and complex. Talking about Gemme and Miles' romance alone won't do it justice. Their romance is sweet and amazing. It flowed naturally with the story and tugged on my heartstrings. I cheered on Gemme against her rival and uttered dreamy sighs with Miles' tender thoughts. I adored Gemme's character. She's different from the usual warrior-like sci-fi heroine, but she's strong in her own way.

The secondary plots pulled me in just as much. I will forever have the image of the ancient Seers - the pilots of the Expedition - strung up in the ship burned into my mind. The little details Aubrie gives us are fascinating and horrifying at the same time. The glimpses of their memories of an Earth falling apart had me on the edge of my seat. (I can't wait to read A Hero Rising next!) My heart ached for them, but I loved how I couldn't figure out what they'd do next. They had their secrets just like various Lifers on the ship. Secrets passed from one generation to the next which could either save or destroy them.

You can buy Aubrie Dionne's Tundra 37 on Amazon and B&N.

A Hero Rising is now available too, on Amazon and B&N.

Aubrie is giving away a copy of A Hero Rising. Please read Saturday's interview with her right here on my blog and enter to win!

Also, please visit A Twist of Noir. My short story, "Lady Blood" is featured today. I'd love to know what you think.

First short story acceptance of 2012

My first short story acceptance of the year!

My noir story, "Lady Blood" will be on A Twist of Noir tomorrow.

It's a great site with quality dark and oneiric stories.

Please pop over and comment.

I'd love to hear what you think about my story.

Do I win some cool points for writing a noir story?

Interview and giveaway with science-fiction romance writer Aubrie Dionne

Please give a warm welcome to the wonderfully talented Aubrie Dionne.

She's celebrating the release of her newest novel, Tundra 37.

(Isn't that a spectacular cover?!)

I'm happy to have this chance to help promote her books on her blog tour and ask her a few questions.

I know you write both fantasy and sci-fi romance. What does sci-fi allow you to do that fantasy does not?

Wow, what a great question. I've never thought about this before. For me, it's the opposite: fantasy has no boundaries, but science fiction needs to be rooted in real life in some way. It's more challenging for me to write, and for some reason, more fresh. Although, I love fantasy, and when this series and the spin offs are finished, I'm going back to the dragons and the elves!

I absolutely agree. Sci-fi is more challenging to write. Do you feel compelled to follow any of the tropes and stereotypes that are prevalent in science-fiction?

Sometimes I pay homage to them: Like the sandworms in Paradise 21 are a reference to the ones in Dune. The ice world of Tundra 37 is inspired, in part, by the planet Hoth in Star Wars. I try not to copy, but invent my own worlds with hints of the past tropes in them.

Your worlds are definitely unique. Have you gotten any grief over being a sci-fi and romance author? Have you felt any pressure because of your gender in the male dominated sci-fi genre?

I've made sure to advertise my books as soft science-fiction with romantic elements, so I think the hard core sci-fi fans looking for technical explanations stay away! One male reader said something like "If this is the way women think, than that explains a lot of things..." which I thought was hilarious. Maybe it will draw the male readers into romance? Teach them a little something? Hehe.

I like the way you think! Do you think humans will travel to new worlds?

I hope so, but I don't want to be one of them! I'm so afraid of space. I think I've watched too many movies where someone rips their helmet off and their eyes bug out and explode. *shivers* Space travel = not for me.

You have such great adventures in your mind, though! Do you believe modern day humans are ready to meet aliens?

No. I think we'd torture them and have our own prejudices. That's if they didn't kill us first on the spot, or make us slaves. I used to want to be the generation that gets to meet aliens, but after watching too many of those Ancient Alien episodes on the History Channel, I'm not so sure anymore! I actually went to a talk with a man who says he's been abducted several times, and his stories creeped me out!

I feel the same way. Do you think science-fiction literature can affect social change?

I certainly hope so! We need to start thinking about our resources, wildlife preservation, and the world's population. These are reoccurring themes in The New Dawn series, and the reason why everyone has to leave Earth. I tried to make it realistic in some ways but not be too preachy.

Do you think the science-fiction industry is changing?

I'd like to think that sci-fi romance will take off in the next few years with the sequel to Avatar coming out. I think it's a great genre to explore!

I'm a big fan of the genre myself. Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring authors?

You have to be persistent and write a whole truck load of novels to be successful in today's publishing world. It took me four novels to get an agent, and I'm still counting to see how many it will take to make a decent income and turn my writing into a part time job for good.

Thank you, Aubrie! It's been so much fun having you here. Good luck with your books. I know I'll be reading.

Keep on reading. The giveaway information is at the end of the post!

Please check out Aubrie's website and blog. Join me on Monday for a review of Tundra 37!

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications.  Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

Tundra 37

A New Dawn, #2

Author: Aubrie Dionne

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance

Length: 288 pages

ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-49-7

Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-51-0

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/tundra-37/

Tundra 37 Book Trailer:

http://youtu.be/3XcwFtmeTcM

A New Dawn Novel, Book Two

Gemme is a hi-tech matchmaker who pairs the next generation of Lifers aboard the Expedition, a deep space transport vessel destined for Paradise 18. When the identity of her lifemate pops up on her screen, she’s shocked that he’s the achingly gorgeous and highly sought after Lieutenant Miles Brentwood—a man oblivious to her existence. Believing everyone will think she contrived the match, she erases it from the computer’s memory.

Just as comets pummel the ship and destroy the pairing system forever. With the Expedition disabled, the colonists must crash land on the barren ice world of Tundra 37 where Gemme is reassigned to an exploratory mission, led by Lieutenant Brentwood. Only in the frozen tundra does she understand the shape of his heart and why the computer has entwined their destinies.

A Hero Rising

A New Dawn, #3

Author: Aubrie Dionne

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance

Length: novella

ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-83-1

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/a-hero-rising/

Prequel to A New Dawn - Book Three

After watching his love leave on a colony ship, James Wilfred must save those left behind from a planetary apocalypse. Their salvation lies in an unfinished ship tucked away in a secret government base, and only James can break in and pilot him and his people to freedom on a nearby space station.

Skye O’Connor’s boyfriend never returns after his gang attempts an assassination of the Governor, and the State Building is destroyed. Worse, crazed moonshiners addicted to the chemical Morpheus have stormed the city, and she must find a safe place for her and her boyfriend’s daughter. When a heroic man saves her, Skye asks to accompany him on his quest to find the last colony ship left on Earth.

As the city falls around them, James and Skye must work together to build a new future, all the while rediscovering their ability to love, before the apocalypse claims them both.

Now for the giveaway!

Aubrie is generously offering one lucky commenter a free copy of A Hero Rising on either the Kindle or Nook. All you have to do is leave your name and email address in the comments section. The giveaway will run until next Friday (March 2nd). The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Ruth at Ruth + Writing. I've never been a very fast runner. I'm a good hider, though! So here we go with the tag questions.

The Tag rules:
1. You must post the rules!
2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
3. Tag eleven (or how ever many  you can think of who haven't been tagged) people and link to them.
4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

Ruth's questions:

1. Would you rather eat ice cream or popcorn? ICE CREAM! That's a no-brainer for me.

2. Who is the biggest influence in your life right now? My son. Our kids influence us in ways beyond what we can ever imagine.

3. What do you do to relieve your frustrations? Write and clean.

4. Can you keep a secret? Yes. Do you have one to tell me?

5. When it comes to books, what is your biggest pet peeve? Whiny protagonists.

6. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? Closed. No closet monster is ever going to sneak up on me.

7. Do you have a theme song? Please share. Maybe the Wordgirl theme song.

8. Where would you bury treasure if you found some? In the most obvious spot. Disguise it as something ordinary and out in the open. No one would suspect it was treasure!

9. What book and/or movie could you read and/or watch over and over? The Harry Potter series for both the books and movies.

10. Have you ever done anything illegal? Yes. I jaywalked this week.

11. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Yes. If it suits their skin tone.

I'm not going to tag anyone. It seems like everyone has been tagged recently. Yet if you want to answer a couple or all of my questions in the comments below, please feel free to do so and entertain me!

1. If you were a character from a TV series, which one would you be?

2. What's the strangest thing in your refrigerator right now?

3. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?

4. Can you describe an atom?

5. What is the worst job you've ever had?

6. If you couldn't be a writer, what career would you choose?

7. Name five people you would most like to meet.

8. Is Elvis really dead?

9. Crayons, pencil crayons, or markers?

10. What's your favorite amusement park ride?

11. What is your ideal home? (It can be fantasy!)