Short Paranormal Romance Story, Tall Order

I normally write paranormal romance novels, but I have a paranormal romance short story that I like to think of as my ‘husband.’ When I met him, it was love at first sight (or idea). I knew he was a keeper. So after holding onto the idea for almost ten years, I finally married him and started to write.

My paranormal romance kept me up at night with whispers of all the things he wanted to do together and the places we could go.

I would reach for my pen in the night to record his words, only to wake in the morning to illegible scribbles and a feeling of being let down.

Before I could surrender to the words he(my paranormal romance) begged me to put to paper, I had to let myself go (I don’t mean just figuratively, I mean pajamas at 5 p.m. and I think I may have lost my hair brush). When I finally gave in, the paranormal romance story flowed from me unhindered by my real life needs. The words, my characters story, poured out onto the page and in less than a week our relationship went to the next level—Submissions.

Immediately feelings of inadequacy with our relationship began to surface. The paranormal romance story was too radical, too controversial for the market. Publishers were going to hate my ‘love.’

Yet, I pushed myself to submit.

I braced for the impact of rejection.

I submitted to the only four publishers, one of which was via a paranormal romance writing competition.

When the first letter came, I closed my eyes and clicked it open. “Thank you for your submission. We were very impressed with your writing and story, however it is not suitable for our [desired Anthology] which focuses on erotic, rather than sweet, romance. We wish you the very best in finding a home for your wonderful story.”

It was a wonderful rejection, but the issue—No sex. Huh. Okay.

The next letter came, and it was so very similar it was eerie. Again the same problem great writing but—No sex.

So maybe my hubbie and I had stopped a little short of taking it to that level, but it was a short story. I could write ‘fluff’ for a hundred pages. This story wasn’t about that. This relationship was about the emotional reaction it would receive.

The third letter came. Finally, an acceptance.

I was ecstatic about the opportunity the publisher presented me with, but something about it didn’t seem right.

I waited, unsure of my next move.

Second guessing my hesitation, I was about to go with the first publisher when the last letter arrived in my mailbox.

I have the honor to announce, I have won the paranormal romance short story competition and the publishing contract I had been waiting for. In two weeks, my award winning paranormal romance hubbie will be available to the public. I couldn’t be more proud.

I hope that you, my readers, will love my paranormal romance story as much as I have loved it while bringing it to life.

It is a story that has impacted my life.   My hope is that you find the story impacts your life as well.

Getting Your Work (Paranormal Romance etc.) Ready for Submission -or- Why I have Lost My Mind

If you are new to the publishing world, getting ready for submissions is maybe something you have yet to experience. In this case, I would like to explain the process.

Writing the manuscript: First, you will spend months/years of your life writing a (Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, etc.) novel. This is an undertaking that will leave you forgetting how to spell your own name, and often what your name really is. Once this step is completed, you wander into the foggy world of self-editing.

Self-editing: This is the step where you initially think, 'Man, I did such a good job on the first draft of the paranormal romance novel that the editing should be easy. I loved it all.' And then you start reading your work...

Quickly you find that author Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird) was right. You can safely call this work the 'shitty first draft.' (And if you have luck like mine, the ideal paranormal romance editor will ask for it at this point...And you respond like a deer in the headlights and hand the slop to her with a sincere apology.)

After reading through your paranormal romance work once and fixing oh, just about everything, you SET IT ASIDE: Yes, I mean stop working on your beloved/loathed paranormal romance manuscript. Let it marinade in its own juices for a while. During this time however, I am not saying that you should stop writing paranormal romance. No, far from it. Instead, this is the time when you write those paranormal romance short stories, poem, magazine articles, and/or letters to your relatives that you have put off doing while you have been pouring your heart into your novel. In other words, forget about your paranormal romance novel for a bit. Once you have submitted your fresh short work, pick the manuscript back up.

If you can read the first line without cringing, you have a manuscript that you should spend more time with. If you look down and hate everything on the first page, rip it off and put the manuscript back down for a little bit longer.

The Second/Third/Fourth Round: This is where you re-read and edit your paranormal romance manuscript for the subsequent mistakes. Hopefully in the first round of edits you have revised most of the conceptual issues, but undoubtedly you will still find a few in these drafts. Make sure you haven't started every sentence with 'She,' 'He,' or 'As.'

For me, I also like to make sure I check my coordinating conjunctions. I have had a few people point out that I like to write in long sentences and break them up and then place 'and' where there should be a new sentence or idea. I've learned to look for this, but only after a fair amount of time changing what turned out to be a major error in my early writing.

Beta-Readings: This is the tough part. This is where you need to find at least 3 people to read your paranormal romance work and point out all the problems. Basically, you are giving people your baby and asking them to tell you if it’s ugly. Make sure that your beta-reader is someone you like and respect. If the wrong person tells you that you have an ugly baby, they're only going to beta-read once (those black eyes take a long time to heal) (see my article Using Criticism).

After making the required changes, and applying a wine bandage to your ego, you must read it through again—without hating every word.

When you have finished and are satisfied with your work, let the manuscript rest again.

For now, the hardest labor is done, but next comes the most emotionally draining part of the process—Getting your query, pitch, synopsis, and body ready for the beating that is—the act of Submission.  More on that next week...

Empowering Yourself Through a Support System (A Paranormal Romance Writer's Best Friend)

I recently heard a startling statistic …The rate of American’s suffering from Depression* is approximately 22% (for paranormal romance writers, the number skyrockets to close to 80%).  The numbers are staggering.  That means in an average person’s life one out of five of the people they know are living with chronic depression (unless they are a paranormal romance writer.  And in this case the Prozac is popped like breath mints).  

*If you believe you, or someone you love, is affected by this debilitating illness, I urge you to please seek help.  

What can we as people/paranormal romance writers do to lessen the effects of depression or lower the risk of becoming a statistic?  There are many answers, but I would like to present to you the idea of creating a strong support system.  What is a true support system?  It isn’t your co-workers or saying ‘hello’ to the baristas.  A true support system is a group of individuals you know you can depend on when you are in crisis (and vice versa).  These are people you can sit with for hours and never want to stuff your fingers in your ears… aka people you truly care about.

Having a strong support system is one of the most important things in a person’s life (and as a paranormal romance writer it is an absolute must).  But to have a support system it means one thing—you must put yourself out there, you must make an effort to be involved in your friends and families lives and they, in return, will become involved in yours. 

Now I am not suggesting you call your friend every day and get a full rundown of events (unless you and your friend have the desire especially if its about paranormal romance events), but calling or texting your friend to let them know you are thinking about them should be done regularly.  When you are invited to a function (I know it’s a pain) but it is important not only for your friends personal well-being, but your own as well to attend. 

It is important to interact and socialize.  Humans are social creatures.  If we restrict our social outlets by ostracizing ourselves, we slowly become more withdrawn, eventually pulling away almost completely from society—increasing the probabilities of becoming depressed or for suffering from worsening symptoms. 

Become your own best friend and advocate.  When you are feeling down, call a friend.  If you feel as if you don’t have a friend or support group, go out and meet someone new (here is where it is okay to use the internet if you like—but be safe).  Make an effort to connect.  If you are unsuccessful the first time, try again.  Building a support system doesn’t happen overnight, but unless you make yourself accessible you are destroying your ability to create a network.

Become proactive in your life.  Exercise with friends and family.   Become involved in social groups (and not just on the internet, or with groups only involved in paranormal romance).  If you like to hike, find a store that specializes in gear and ask if they know of a group that is looking for new members.  If you are a paranormal romance writer, become involved in a critique or reading group.

Put yourself out there and face your fears. 

You will become Empowered. 

***To my readers and other paranormal romance readers/writers, I want to thank you for supporting my blog.  I appreciate your kind words and comments.  If there is anything you would like to add (about this blog or any others) please feel free to leave a comment or email me directly.  I love feedback.   Please know you are always welcome here.