Thanks for visiting this RMFW blog. My name is Jeanne Stein. I currently write two series: The Anna Strong Vampire novels and a new series, The Fallen Siren Series with co-author Samantha Sommersby, under the name S.J. Harper (I’m the ‘J’.) I also have stories in over a dozen anthologies, two of which made the New York Times Bestseller list. I write Urban Fantasy. I’ll be contributing each month on the second Thursday of the month. And I’ll be talking about the craft of genre writing.
What we’ll be covering in these topics applies to all genres. While some are specific to UF/Paranormal/ SciFi, world building, for instance, most pertain to crafting a good a story. I’ll also talk about the business of writing, something often neglected but very important. The publishing world is changing daily. You need to be aware of how those changes affect you.
. I’ve organized the topics as follows:
1. What is genre? Descriptions, Author Lists, Examples
2. Where do you start, especially in the Scifi/Paranormal/UF world? POV, Setting and World Building
3. How do you write for a genre audience? Some “rules”
4. Character development
5. Story Structure – Plotting, Inciting Incident
6. Dialogue – Putting words in Your Characters’ Mouths
7. Conflict – What is it? Why is it important?
8. How to keep a reader engaged — Creating and Maintaining Suspense
9. How much Sex? How much romance?
10. Common Mistakes
11. The Market – Big Press, Small Press, Self-pub
Following the end of most lessons, I’ll include a brief interview with a popular genre author. Among them are Mario Acevedo, Charlaine Harris, Jackie Kessler, Richelle Mead, Lynda Hilburn, Mark Henry, Anton Strout, and Devon Monk. Each will each make an appearance and share some of their thoughts about being characterized as an Urban Fantasy author. A few have sent pictures of their writing spaces. Since if you’re like me and curious about where these successful authors work their magic, I hope you enjoy these glimpses into their working worlds.
I’d like this to be an exchange of ideas. I’ve been writing a long time and published since 2002, but I’m learning new things everyday about writing and the publishing world. I’m happy to share. Writing is a complex, surprising, often frustrating business.
It’s also the best job I’ve ever had.
We’ll only be meeting once a month—but if you have any questions you’d like to see addressed, send them on. I’ll check in here often.
See you in August and we’ll get started!