Today I'm pleased to welcome Nicole Pouchet, author of Annie's Defiance, to the blog to talk about her new book!
First a little about the book:
Author: Nicole Pouchet
ISBN: 978-0-9966062-3-3
Series Name: Elemental Myths
# in the Series:
3
Length: 23,140
words
Date of Publication: August 25, 2015
Publisher: Nicole Pouchet
Cover Artist: Ann Alger
D.C. lawyer, Annie Birch, believes her life is one logical
assessment after another. That changes, however, on the day she accidentally
teleports during a high-profile negotiation. Knowing her new power must be a
side effect after miraculously getting healed by the Incan Mother Earth goddess
doesn’t help matters. Annie has already seen how emerging powers like hers also
come with psycho villains that are bent on destroying her, as well as the
corporeal world.
The icing on the cupcake of her ridiculous day is two gorgeous men
who show up on her doorstep, both vying for her attention. Now, her choices
involve much more than her oft-neglected libido. Annie is tasked to play a role
in the Incan prophecy, which she prefers to watch from the sidelines. Will she
stick to her safe, legal path? Or will she defy all logic to experience the
decidedly more fun adventures being thrust her way?
Guest Post from Nicole Pouchet
4 Keys Steps to Writing the Next Book in a Romance Series
There’s nothing I love more than a romance series. When I finish reading a fabulous novel, there’s no need for end-of-book blues. I can grab the next book in the series and stay immersed in the world of my fictional characters. The only thing better than reading a romance series, in my humble opinion, is writing one.
There are many financial and marketing related reasons to write romance series. My own obsessive reading habits are common. Once a reader is hooked, they tend to buy more of the same and stick with the author. This is the same reasoning behind seven Fast and the Furious movies. It works for car racing flicks and romance alike (Outlander, anyone?).
So, how do writers transition from that first book of magic coming together to the second book of the series? My own experience was both fun and daunting.
Develop the Secondary Characters from the Previous Book
The biggest—and possibly most obvious—tip is to develop secondary characters from the previous books into the work-in-progress’s (WIP)’s main characters. The heroine’s roommate from the first novel was hilarious, wasn’t she? That brother of the hero had to have some back story to explain his womanizing ways. The secondary characters from the previous novel make great main characters in my subsequent books. My readers have asked about the future of certain minor players, and the series format gives me the ability to develop these characters further.
It’s a win-win. Readers get to know what happens with favorite folks, and I get the benefit of starting with characters that already have some history nailed down.
The flip side to this coin is making sure the story and details remain consistent. If that roommate was from San Francisco in Book 1, she’d better not suddenly have a southern drawl in Book 2. Just like every other tale, attention to accuracy in the series is crucial. But now, instead of turning to Google to check the height of the Lincoln Memorial (I even took a trip to the monument in preparation for my latest work), the writer has got to read her own previous works carefully.
Differentiate the New Couple’s Storyline
For the purpose of this article, we’ll remember that the standard novel has person A meet person B; conflict pulls A and B apart somehow; and then A and B’s love conquers all enabling the way for a happily ever after. The romance series typically involves a different couple that completes that full journey per book. There are novellas and multi-part romances, all kinds of exceptions.
So, for example, Outlander—while one of my favorite romance/historical/fantasy/whatever series out there—doesn’t fit my definition because it mainly deals with Claire and Jamie for most of the eight books in the series instead of eight different couples.
In addition to the standard “A meets B…” romance novel guidelines to which the writer must adhere in Book 2, s/he also must write a story set in the same world that’s as different as possible from Book 1. Here’s where it gets tricky.
As a writer, we’ve got to ensure every book in the series is a unique work, worthy of our readers’ attention and time. When I write, my goal is to entertain the smart person who wants to escape into romance. She’s on Book 2 or 3 of my series, so I don’t want to insult her with a regurgitation of the same book she’s already read. This WIP has to be new, even though it’s set in the same world.
How the heck to we do that? I depend on the motivations and hang-ups of the new main characters. That new roommate might be hilarious, but she’s also a complete control freak. She’s got a whole new set of issues that are going to drive her away from the hero is an unexplored way. And that womanizing brother has a different life and set of conflicting circumstances from Book 1’s hero. When I focus on the characters’ situations and motivations, the story becomes unique on its own.
Enlist Your Readers’ Help
The beauty of the series is that the first book has already been published. There are already at least a few people who have read the book and care about the characters. Now—while writing the sequel WIP—is the time to take some of
DelSheree’s writing advice. Use social media to ask readers about the setting, names, or features prevalent in the next book.
This helps the readers take a bit of ownership in the series, which leads to increased readership while also providing great feedback and assistance to the writing. Another win-win!
Move the Overall Story Along
Finally, I’d say the best—the most fun—aspect of writing a series versus a stand-alone novel is the lengthy overall story arc. I love that I get multiple books in which to resolve the overall plot of the series. Each book moves the reader closer to the end resolution. But the series format allows me to fully develop and set up the conflict in a way that a single book just doesn’t.
Series romance books depend on advancing that overall story arc little by little. The best ones increase the plot’s stakes until the climax satisfyingly explodes in the finale. The trick is ensuring that the series provides that pleasurable crescendo while the reader still cares. Every book must moves the series along in a meaningful way.
In conclusion, writing the next book in the series definitely has its perks. The effort to do it right can be daunting. It’s not for the faint of heart, yet exhilarating for the dedicated writer.
Meet the Author:
Nicole Pouchet is a memoirist and a paranormal romance novelist.
Books from her Elemental Myths
paranormal romance series have enjoyed spots on Amazon’s Bestseller lists. Layla’s Gale, A Paranormal Romance won
second prize in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest.
Still amazed to be an adult, Nicole has managed to center her life
around raising her two small sons and being true to her family (including
husband and friends). She resides in Leesburg, Virginia where she owns a
marketing agency. Happiest near the water, Nicole spends her free hours
plotting her next escape, writing, and staring at the ceiling.
Book 3 in Nicole’s Elemental Myths series, Annie’s Defiance, A
Paranormal Romance Novella, releases TODAY exclusively on Amazon. Get it now!
Find the
Elemental Myths series on Amazon!
You can keep up with Nicole and her Elemental Myths world
on Facebook,
on Twitter, and on her
author website.
Website
Social Media
Excerpt from Annie's Defiance
Rubbing the
smooth marble surface, she peered down over President Lincoln’s leg to the
ground beneath her. Opening her arms, she decided to fly the twenty feet that
separated her from the bottom of the statue. Why not? She might as well enjoy
her dream.
“I see you’re
awake,” a deep voice rumbled from the stone.
“Abraham?” Her
dream was taking a weird turn, and she instantly regretted caressing the
statue’s leg. Doing the deed with a giant stone replica of Honest Abe was never
on her list of fantasies.
Laughter
followed as Stone appeared on the ground beneath her. His eyes crinkled with
mirth, brightening every feature of his chiseled face. “No, the monument
dedicated to your country’s beloved leader has not come to life.”
“Of course not,”
Annie snapped, wishing he hadn’t witnessed her little mix-up. Perhaps she could
blame it on having just woken up. “What’re you doing here anyway?”
“I told you I
would help you whenever you’re in need. Can you think of a more needy time than
this?”
Needy? Yes! This dream was
a great time to unleash her hidden Harlequin persona. “How about you showing up
in my bedroom next time I’m reaching for my vibrator,” she baited him in her
sultriest voice. “That’s a needy moment.”
“Do you mean
that?” His amusement vanished, replaced by a lust-filled gaze so intense, she
could feel her body responding without her permission.
Maybe she should
insist he join her on top of the statue… but even in fantasy, the cold marble
was decidedly uncomfortable.
“Yes. I’ll fly
down and show you how much I mean it.”
He frowned. “I
wasn’t aware you possessed the power of flight.”
“We all do, in
our dreams.” Saying that, she launched herself off the statue.
No wind
supported her newly weightless body. On the contrary, Annie plummeted as fast
as an anvil, despite flapping her arms like a featherless chicken.
“By the
goddess,” grunted Stone when he caught her, despite receiving a blow to the
head from one of her flailing limbs. “You still think you’re deep in slumber?”
“Aren’t I?”
Annie stammered before trying to right herself while in his firm grasp. At
last, her feet dangled above the ground and her face was inches from his.
“Could there be any other explanation?”
Her breath
hitched as she stared into perfection. His blue eyes flashed, and she felt him
growing hard against her thighs. His hands squeezed her closer and he held her
firmly against his body. She prayed her alarm clock wouldn’t wake her from this
perfect fantasy as she leaned in for the kiss.
Stone lowered
her onto her bare feet and rested his forehead on hers. “You will learn soon
enough. But, for now, I must stop this before we do something you may regret.”
“Oh, come on,”
she protested. “I can’t even get laid in my dreams? I’ve got to be responsible
now, too?”
“Believe me,
Nature’s girl, when we finally come together in unbridled passion, you’ll
forget every responsible thought you ever had. You’ll think of nothing else,
but my cock fucking you over and over until you’re lost in an alternate reality
of carnal pleasure. There will be no room for responsibility, or apprehension,
for either of us, only the essences of you, and me.”
About the Author
