Today I’d like to welcome Lindsey Piper, who recently came out with the second book in her absolutely compelling dark, gritty paranormal romance Dragon Kings series, Blood Warrior (read my review here). Lindsay is here to talk about about:
So… Paranormal Romance? by Lindsey Piper
One of the most exciting things about promoting Blood Warrior is that since my real name has been revealed, I can talk about how different (and similar) it is to write various romance genres. See, I’m actually historical romance author Carrie Lofty, as well as one half of the erotica co-writing partnership known as Katie Porter!
It’s a juggling act! But then again, I’ve always loved circuses.
The idea of taking a new pseudonym was because the Dragon Kings was my paranormal romance debut. We certainly didn’t want fans of my lush, sensual historicals or my kinky, boundary-pushing erotic romances to pick up the series opener, Caged Warrior, and wonder what the heck they’d bought!
Genre expectations in romance are strong. The extremes are obvious examples: erotica will contain a sexual arc, while inspirationals will contain various themes about God and the characters’ relationships to God. Taking a new name was a way to make sure I was completely free of preconceptions as I wrote, and as new fans found the series.
The experience was fantastic.
I have a graduate degree in history, so when writing historical romance, I was always able—in fact, obligated—to be as accurate as possible. The trick when starting the Dragon Kings was worldbuilding. “What do you mean there’s no history book for me to read??” My editor made me go read Kresley Cole and watch Game of Thrones to help improve what I’d already done for years in historicals, which was build a framework for a romance, but to do so on a completely fictitious level.
(Now I’m a massive fan of both. And I learned tons!)
A turning point came when I realized how little I actually knew about this place I’d invented. Where do they live? How long do they live? How do they interact with humans? What is their religious background and how do their powers work and what clans do they inhabit, etc, etc , etc…
I sat down at a Starbucks with my playlist of choice—I always have a new playlist for each book—and handwrote fifty pages of detail. I don’t think I’ve written that much by hand since I was in high school! By the end of that massive, amazing purge, I’d created my own history book, so to speak. The question changed from “What do you mean there’s no history book for me to read?” to “You mean I get to make everything up??” My excitement was off the charts.
From that point on, I was hooked. I love writing historicals. I love writing contemporaries. But Lindsey Piper wants to write about dragons, demons, cage fighting, really strong men and women, evil cartel leaders, and love that’s all the stronger for having been forced in a violent world. Enjoy! I know I did!
About Lindsey PiperLindsey Piper is the alter ego of award-winning historical and contemporary romance author Carrie Lofty. Her hotly anticipated Dragon Kings series is her first foray into paranormal fiction. She lives and writes in Chicago.You can find more info on Lindsey’s website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads pages.
~~~~~~TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY~~~~~~
Lindsey is giving away a number of prizes on her blog tour:
Grand prize: $25.00 Gift card to Amazon, an ebook of Silent Warrior, and paperbacks of Caged Warrior and Blood Warrior.
Second place: Five winners will each get a paperback of Caged Warrior or Blood Warrior (winner’s choice) and swag!
Third place: Five winner will each get an ebook of Silent Warrior.
This is open internationally; to enter, use the Rafflecopter below:
I have read your books written as Carrie Lofty and really enjoyed them. I haven’t read any of this series but am looking forward to starting them now.
Jo @ MIxed Book BAg recently posted..Musing Mondays, August 5, 2013
Based on your recommendation, it looks like I have to go and start on her Carrie Lofty books! So many books, so little time. But so delicious!
Marlene Harris recently posted..Guest Post from Author Lindsey Piper on “So… Paranormal Romance?” + Giveaway
Thanks for sharing The Dragon Kings and the giveaway. This series is awesome. evamillien at gmail dot com