Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Guest Blogger - Rose Wynters


Today I've got a guest post from urban fantasy author Rose Wynters, creator of the Endurers series, smoking hot novels about demon hunters and curvaceous ladies. I asked her if she could write about some of the challenges of writing a series, such as keeping things fresh across multiple books, and telling a satisfying story in one book while making it part of a larger story arc. Take it away, Rose:  

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Brent!

I love everything that falls into the paranormal or science fiction category. I guess I always have, I still have the Star Trek: The Next Generation VHS tapes to prove it. It seems like yesterday I was a teenager that used to live to record those episodes on my VCR.

I'm also a huge fan of horror movies, especially when it comes to zombies, vampires, or werewolves. So I suppose it was only natural for me to one day write these. As a writer, I couldn't imagine trying to write a book with a setting that didn't genuinely appeal to me! 

When it comes to creating a series, you have to first create the setting. For some, this seems to come to them quickly, while others have to work at it. I've read interviews of authors such as Stephen King or  Stephanie Meyer actually basing their plots off of their dreams. Regardless of how a writer comes up with their world, it has to be something that works for them.

Personally, I prefer writing series. My characters are so real and multifaceted that I couldn't imagine trying to pack that into just one book! Keeping good notes about your characters and setting helps a lot. Sometimes you might even be driving along and think of something that fits perfectly with the world you created. It's a good idea to keep your notebook close, especially when you are working on a new book.

Currently I am actively working on two different series, but I have two more series sitting with publishers right now. The Endurers is a supernatural series set in a world that is headed straight into Armageddon. It centers around a group of men that were granted immortality to fight the demons that plague humanity. These men have seen the very worst that Hell has to offer, but they take their jobs very seriously. This series can get very graphic at times. When you are in the type of situations that they are in, you don't have time to wait. When opportunity strikes, you have to jump right on it because it might not be there the next day. Curvaceous Condemnation is the latest release in this series.

The other one is a young adult series called Territory of the Dead. Book one has just released, and it's called Phase One: Identify. It's the story of Tabitha Alexander, an eighteen year old that has just graduated from high school. She's working a dead-end job as a cashier, with no plans for the future. Tabitha really just wants to enjoy her freedom. She doesn't get that chance, though. One night her world falls apart when zombies invade her town of Pleasant.

These are two very different series, but they have been so much fun to write! I think that must be what every writer strives for. To actually have the series flowing and enjoy it. I would say that is the easiest way to manage creating a series. Live it, breath it, and just let it flow!

Thanks again for having me on your blog! It was a lot of fun. I've got a website too at http://www.rosewynters.com and feel free to stop by and say hello, sometime.