The Healing Touch with Sarah Gilman

Out in Blue
by Sarah Gilman

Over the years, I have come across and been fascinated by many stories of healers, the kind of characters who can heal others with their touch. An episode of the X-Files featured a young man who supposedly had a God-given gift. The HBO series Carnivale showcased a character who could heal with his touch by draining life from his surroundings, whether that be plant life, animals, or people. To include a character who possessed such a skill was one of the first decisions I made when planning my debut novel, Out in Blue.

The archangel Raphael is another figure known for such healing powers in both religious context and in popular culture. In Out in Blue, my archangel character of the same name, with the same talent, was inspired by the “real” Raphael. Raphael is the hero’s father, and he passed his healing gift to his son.

In the romance genre, touch is one of the most important senses and experiences for the characters. In Out in Blue, I explored how having additional powers behind a person’s touch can hurt and benefit a romantic relationship, using a character who wielded the ability to heal and the ability to harm. I gave my hero complete control of both of these skills to use as he saw fit. I felt that having the two opposing skills together in one character added a natural balance, like a double sided coin.

Trust is crucial in all relationships. I wrote a hero not every woman would trust easily, because of his ability to harm with his touch. When relationships have such challenges to overcome, the end result is that much more meaningful.

Out in Blue

Return to Sanctuary, Book 1

In a violent world where fallen archangels are hunted for their valuable plumage, Wren knows one thing for certain: the human woman who saved him from a poacher attack will die if she stays with him. The demon responsible for his parents’ gruesome deaths two decades ago pines for the chance to rip apart any woman who stands under Wren’s wing.

Wren doesn’t expect Ginger to stay by his side once she discovers his ability to drain life with a mere touch, yet she lingers. When an unusual talent of her own reveals the location of Wren’s father, Wren’s isolated world implodes. With the help of the demon protectors he’s sworn never to trust again, Wren risks everything to rescue his father, confront the demon who stalks his and Ginger’s every step, and claim his eternity with the most courageous woman he’s ever known.

About Sarah

Sarah Gilman

Sarah Gilman started her first novel in third grade. She never finished that story, but never gave up the dream. Her fascination with wings also began at that age, when images of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis captured her imagination and never let go. Now a paranormal romance writer, she employs her love of writing to bring the allure of winged creatures to the pages of her novels. Sarah lives in Vermont with her supportive husband and two spoiled cats.

Visit Sarah Gilman:

Facebook

Twitter

Entangled Publishing (with excerpt)

Review: Out in Blue

This review first appeared in the August 2011 edition of Night Owl Reviews Magazine.

Debut author Sarah Gilman creates a stunning tale, filled with lush descriptions and an alluring mythology that glimpses into the Sanctuary of archangels and demons.

Set in New England, Out in Blue follows Wren, a loner archangel after the slaughter of his family, and Ginger, a human raised by a demon, sworn protectors of the archangels.

When Ginger hears that poachers are on the hunt for Wren, she feels obligated to help him. All Wren wants is to be left alone. Well, really, he longs for acceptance and love, but doesn’t feel that ultimately it’s possible.

Gilman brings together these seemingly opposites in a paranormal thriller that contains two parts action and one part romance. But, none of that distracts from the remarkable craft of the story.  The reader easily believes the worldbuilding contained within Out in Blue, and we root for the happiness of the flawed Wren. Watch out vampire lovers, there’s a new archangel in town.

Thank you so much, Louisa, for hosting today! Readers, the paranormal genre is rich with characters who possess preternatural abilities, such as being to heal to with a touch, to heal fast, to read minds, to control the weather, etc. Which is your favorite?

Romancing Your Dark Side with BK Walker & Stacey Kennedy

Thrilled to welcome two special guests: BK Walker, who is discussing her new release Night Secrets, and Stacey Kennedy, who provides insights into her paranormal Whatnots & Doodads. Both talented authors delved into their writing process a bit, and took on the explorative question of if they believed in ghosts. Read ahead to discover how they answered. With Halloween just a hop, skip & a jump away, the hairs on my arms are already standing to attention.

Get ready to plunge into paranormal with Walker and Kennedy, as part of the Romancing Your Dark Side Paranormal Tour.

BK Walker

BK Walker currently lives in Central Pennsylvania with her three children, Brittney, Hunter and Danny, her dogs Rancid, Sadie and Haven, a cat named Whiskers and a goldfish named Fat Albert. She has always had a love for reading and writing, even as a child she created stories reading them to her stuffed animals. With a love for vampires and werewolves, you will not be disappointed with her writing as she mixes up the paranormal juice. Aside from writing, BK also supports Indie Authors organizing virtual book tours, helping them to market and promote their work. Her book review site, BWB Reviews, is just another small way she contributes to the reading world. With many stories floating around in her head, she writes when she gets the time between working as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, being a single mother, and continuing her college education in Graphic Art Design. When BK's not fighting with her muse, Mouthy Mary, who has much to say way too often, you will find her at a baseball game with her children, or relaxing with a good book in her hand.

What is your favorite scene of the book?

I would have to say when Keara first enters Night Secrets and knows someone is watching her, but can't quite figure out who it is. Then when she meets those lapus blue eyes, and her skin crawls with excitement...yeah, that's my favorite scene.

What was the most difficult part to write?

I would say her experiencing her first shift. Writing a shift for a werewolf is easy, we deal with that more often. To write a shift with a creature you seldomly see, well that's a big challenge. You have to try and put yourself in their shoes to know what they're going through, and in order to describe it thoroughly. When you don't read much about such a shifter, it makes it a bit more difficult to go through the motions.

How do you hope readers feel when they’re done reading your book?

You know how you get that fuzzy, tingly feeling all over when you experienced your first kiss ever? That's how I hope readers feel and will be looking to read more of my work. 

Do you believe in ghosts? Any paranormal experiences you’d like to share? If not, any techniques you use to tap into the writing?

I do believe in ghosts. When I was a kid, we always knew our house had a spirit. My uncle lived there before he died. When we moved in, things would always happen in strange ways. Objects would be moved, money would go missing, and everytime I spent the night away, and come home the next day, my bed would be wet. I know, your thinking, "So what?" Well, I had bunk beds and it was always just the bottom bunk, the one I slept in that would be wet. We think the "spirit" slept in my bed when I wasn't there. I've also been in a cemetary at night and have seen spirits by gravestones, and I almost ran into a spirit when I lived with my parents. That was a little freaky as I've not dealt with spirits in a long time, I quickly turned on the light and she was gone.

Favorite place to vacation?

Tennessee. It was so beautiful there. Though I'd really love to go to Ireland.

Favorite flavor of ice cream or dessert?

Cookies and Cream. The BEST!

What are you working on now?

I'm finishing up Broken Captive, about a girl that is broken from abuse and held captive to her self mutilation, and the struggles she faces while seeking love and normalcy. I'm hoping to have it released by September. I'm also working on another paranormal romance titled Serpent Seekers - a clan of vamps all noted for their serpent pendants, seek new vampires as they try to take over the underworld. When the latest victim is partially turned and left on her own, she becomes the most sought after vampire by the Clan Leader. She's not going to take it sitting down though. I'm not sure of that release date yet, and I'm also working  on High Heels and Handcuffs (giggling) and To Love A Wolf, a short story erotica.

  

Night Secrets Blurb:

Night Secrets
By BK Walker

Keara Crosby had the perfect life. Her family was not hurting for anything. When her parents are suddenly killed, Keara must learn to live without them. After mourning their death for two months, Keara starts to live again. She follows her favorite band, hangs with her best friend Jared, and falls for the new kid on the block.

When her favorite band is playing at Night Secrets, a new club downtown, she takes her first outing since her parents death and finds this mysterious boy watching her. Mesmerized by his lapus blue eyes, she can't help but feel drawn to him. Her body responds to him in ways she never thought possible, and she needs to figure out why. What is it about Channing that has her yearning for his touch?

Not only is Keara drawn to Channing, but the owner of Night Secrets seems to be drawn to her. Giving her special treatment, she can't help but wonder what he's hiding, and the sense she's seen him before. When she's attacked in the parking lot, her world turns inside out, literally. Keara will soon learn that secrets of the night, just may be the death of her.

Find BK Walker:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1831525609

Twitter - @bk36

www.vbtcafe.com

http://authorbkwalker.blogspot.com

http://www.immortylcafe.com

www.bkwalkerbooks.com

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Stacey Kennedy

Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even give a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll find fast paced action, life threatening moments and a big bad villain that needs to be destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance Ebooks Bestseller lists. If she isn’t plugging away at her next novel, tending to her two little ones, she’s got her nose deep in a good book. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband. Be sure to drop her a line at www.staceykennedy.com, she loves to hear from her readers.

What is your favorite scene of the book? 

Instead of explaining my favorite scene, I thought I’d show you it. I love the passion, playfulness and humor that these characters provided while writing their story.

“I’ve never … been with a demon.” She looked at the bulge in his pants. “Are … is everything the same?” Who knew what he had in his jeans?

His deep chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “My body is human in every sense--you won’t find a devil’s pitchfork in my pants.”

She laughed nervously. Well, what could he really expect? Her mouth parted to answer him, but she decided action would speak her point well enough. She closed the distance and kissed his mouth. If she’d doubted how much he wanted her, she didn’t now--his kiss couldn’t lie. His hands tightened around her face as his mouth encouraged in sync with hers. Tongues entwined, lips pressed together firmly. Every touch sent tingles straight to her center and caused heat to build between her thighs.

After a final swipe of her tongue, he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and bit down very gently. He released it, still holding her face in his hands. His eyes bore into hers in a way no man had ever looked at her before. His eyebrow arched up suggestively. “Bryanna, are you ready to play with fire?”

“Holy earthquake, am I ever!”

Wow! Can I keep reading more? How about the opposite, what was the most difficult part to write?

To be honest, I didn’t have any problems writing this story. It was a total blast from the very first word!

How do you hope readers feel when they’re done reading your book?

Whatnots & Doodads
By Stacey Kennedy

I hope they smile. This story is a humorous romance with paranormal elements. It’s a novella, so it’s a quick read that’s meant for you to take to the pool with you. If anything, I hope it gives the reader an escape from everyday life and a way to get lost in another world for a little while.

Do you believe in ghosts? Any paranormal experiences you’d like to share? If not, any techniques you use to tap into the writing?

Yes, I believe in ghosts. And no, I’ve never seen one. If I did, I’d run and hide. They scare the willies out of me. But I love the paranormal element in writing. It’s fun to make things spooky.

Favorite place to vacation?

Anywhere! With two small children, vacations don’t happen very often. So, as long as I get the chance to sleep in and relax, I’m ecstatic.

Favorite flavor of ice cream or dessert?

Ice cream—mint chocolate chip. But honestly, I don’t think there’s an ice cream flavor that I wouldn’t love! I’ve got a huge sweet tooth.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m working on Bite Me, I’m Yours. It’s a paranormal romance that is set to release in a month or two. Lots of humor, mystery and of course, steamy romance.

Thank you both again for visiting. Readers -- any questions?

A World of Difference with Lucy Felthouse

Please give a warm welcome to talent writer and editor Lucy Felthouse. Lucy's here to talk a little bit about the new anthology, Seducing the Myth, which features my short story "Lilith: In Her Garden."

One of my favourite things about my new anthology Seducing the Myth is the variation. It contains 24 stories from 23 authors and they're all wildly different. These myths and legends come from – literally – all over the world.

My own chosen tale is based on a legend hailing from the nearby Peak District, in England. It's an area I frequent and am passionate about, so it made sense for me to choose a local myth, particularly since it's such an unusual one. I mean, whoever heard of a mermaid in a landlocked county? Yet mermaid stories are abound in Staffordshire and Derbyshire for some reason, and I just wanted to tip a nod to that odd fact, which is where my tale Down by the Pool came from.

Seducing the Myth
Edited by Lucy Felthouse

Seducing the Myth also has Greek, Roman, Arabian, Arthurian, Hindu, Jewish, Norse, Slavic, Sumerian and Welsh myths and legends, which to me is what makes it so fun – no two stories are the same. 

There's male on female action, male on male and female on female, plus a healthy serving of threesomes and moresomes!

It was so much fun putting the anthology together; seeing what people came up with and rejoicing when yet another thoroughly unique tale popped up on my screen. I'm really proud of what myself and the authors have achieved, it's a fun, sexy and varied anthology and I hope the readers enjoy it!

*****

Seducing the Myth: Myths and Legends with an Erotic Twist is a collection of 24 tantalising tales that lead you on a decadent journey through mythologies the world over. As well as stories from the popular Greek and Roman periods, this anthology will also delight you with Arabian, Arthurian, Hindu, Jewish, Norse, Slavic, Sumerian and Welsh myths and legends. Add in a delicious sprinkling of fairies, mermaids and ancient fertility rituals and you have a recipe for a wickedly erotic read!

List of contributors: Louisa Bacio, Lexie Bay, Rebecca Bond, Shan Ellis, Justine Elyot, Lucy Felthouse, Lisa Fox, Fulani, K D Grace, Bronwyn Green, Hawthorn, Caz Jones, Burton Lawrence, Maxine Marsh, J. C. Martin, Jillian Murphy, Lydia Nyx, Rachel Randall, Kay Dee Royal, Toni Sands, Indigo Skye, Elizabeth Thorne, Saskia Walker.

Buy links:

Amazon.UK

Amazon.US

All-Romance eBooks

*****

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

The Girls Meet the Boys with Tara Lain

I’m delighted to get to come hang out with Louisa today. She and I are friends from Romance Writers of America, we’re going to tear up the town together in New Orleans for GayRomLit in October, and we’re both Libras. Like Louisa, I write gay romance and ménages but all of my books are about the boys. Yes, I do write some M/M/F ménages and even an occasional M/F couple but they are always secondary to my beautiful boys of romance. So today I’d like to introduce you to some of those guys and share a little about why you might want to sneak some men into your hot girl reading schedule.

The Scientist and the Supermodel
Tara Lain

•       •            Roan Black – First let me say that many of my heroes are androgynous or nearly so. I find packing both male and female characteristics into one person is powerful and, I think, powerfully attractive. One example of this is my supermodel hero, Roan Black. Roan is beautiful, looking nearly as feminine as he does masculine. He is gentle, wise, and enormously capable. He will submit but only to the right man – and woman. Roan is the star of my book Genetic Attraction and  new release, The Scientist and the Supermodel. 

•       •            David Underwood – David is the central character in Volley Balls, another new release, and a M/M/M menage novella. David is flamboyantly gay, dressing in tight pants and bright colors, but he is determined, self-actuating and knows who he is and what he does and doesn’t want. David is a great study in contrasts.

•       •            Trelain Medveyev – One if the three heroes of Golden Dancer, a M/M/M romantic suspense coming out on September 27, Trelain is the world’s greatest ballet dancer. Half British and half Russian, Trelain looks androgynous but has a powerful, dominant personality. He ends up a pawn in a dangerous power play between two very rich men. This M/M/M ménage shows the fluid , shifting gender roles of men in a relationship – an interesting reason to read M/M books.

•       •            Caleb Martin – A big, hunky soccer star, Caleb is the hero of Deceptive Attraction, expected to release on November 1. Deceptive Attraction, a M/M/F ménage, is the sequel to Genetic Attraction. Caleb may be big and strong, but he likes to be dominated both by his “pretty as a girl” lover, Elijah, and his cute tomboy lover, Angel.

There’s lots more where those guys come from and maybe one or more is your cup of tea?  Just to check it out, here is an excerpt from my recent release, The Scientist and the Supermodel. And if you’ll leave a comment, I’ll select one name by random number to receive an ecopy of my other new release, Volley Balls. Thank you for visiting and thanks again to Louisa for hosting me.  :  )

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Excerpt R: Tara Lain The Scientist and the Supermodel M/M Erotic Romance (Language edited so "adult" block could be removed.)

The Scientist and the Supermodel



Tara Lain



Genre: Contemporary Menage; please see Publisher's Note



Length: Short Novel



Price: $5.99



http://www.loose-id.com/The-Scientist-and-the-Supermodel.aspx

Amazon  ARe  Fictionwise  Sony



Geneticist Jake Martin has brilliant scientific vision, but he's blind to 
his own nature. Despite his flagging interest in women and his past 
experience with a man, he's convinced himself he'd be happy if he could 
just have his older boss, Emmaline Silvay, as his lover. Living in his 
closeted dream world, he's unprepared for the powerful attraction he 
experiences to supermodel Roan Black, "the most beautiful man in the 
world."

Jake can't resist the gorgeous, androgynous creature. Who could? he thinks. 
But Roan refuses to accept him until Jake admits that it's a man he wants 
and this man in particular. Jake tells himself it's just sex, but his 
refusal to understand what he really needs threatens the best chance at 
happiness he's ever had. Is there a future for a PhD scientist who refuses 
to see and a high school dropout supermodel who understands all too 
clearly?

Publisher's Note: This book is predominantly a romance between two bisexual 
men and features primarily male/male sexual practices; however, it contains 
m/f and m/m/f scenes and is therefore classified as menage, not strictly 
LGBT.

Read an excerpt at 
http://www.loose-id.com/The-Scientist-and-the-Supermodel.aspx 

The following excerpt occurs after Jake has had an unexpected encounter with a man in LA. He is at his parent’s home in Brooklyn, has just asked out a girl who was invited to dinner and is now talking to his brother in the guest room.

The daybed was a little too small, and Jake shifted, trying to get his feet in a comfortable position. The room was dark except for reflections from a streetlight shining through the one window. Yeah, he was tired after the flying and the socializing. He sighed.

“You liked her, huh? You’re going to take her out?” his brother’s voice murmured across the room.

“Yeah, I asked her out.”

“She really turned you on. That date should be hot.”

Realizing hormones pretty much ran his brother’s twenty-year-old life, Jake asked with a grin, “Now why do you think that?”

“Hey, man, I saw you trying to hide that boner when you ran out.”

Jake flushed, glad that the room was dark. “Did everyone see?”

“Nah, just me. I was beside you, remember?”

“Yeah, well, I was thinking of someone else.”

“Ohhh. Your boss, I’ll bet. You’ve got it bad for her.”

Should he go with that suggestion? “Yeah, I do.” Then he decided to be at least a little more honest to encourage Caleb to be the same. “But actually it was someone else.”

He heard his brother sit up in bed. “No shit? You got another woman?”

Why did he have to phrase it quite like that? “Just someone I met in LA.”

“Wow. No wonder you’re so tired, big brother.” He laughed. “What’s her name?”

“I’d rather just forget about it.”

“No f***ing way. Is she one of those LA chicks? Is she an actress? Wow. Is she famous?”

“Famous? Yes, that’s right. Now give it a rest.”

Suddenly the daybed was a lot more crowded, and Caleb was sitting on his legs. “Ya gotta tell me, Jake.”

“I don’t gotta tell you.” Shit, why didn’t he keep his mouth shut?

“Why don’t you want to tell me?”

“It’s personal.”

“I’m your brother,” he wailed.

“I know, but I can’t tell you about this.”

Cal was quiet for a moment. “Why not, Jake? Will it shock me? Will it despoil my lily-white ears?”

Jake sighed. “Yeah, it would shock you.”

“Really? Awesome! Let me guess. Threesome?”

“No.”

“S and M?”

“No!”

Cal flopped backward. “Orgy?”

“God, no. Hey, baby brother, what the hell are they teaching you in that college? Are you speaking from experience?”

“Shit, no.” He gave an evil grin. “Wish I was, though.”

“Come on, you like to be tied up?”

“I might consider it.”

“You want to be with a bunch of women?”

“Well, no, not really. But don’t change the subject, bro; we were talking about your indiscretions, not mine.”

“No need. I’m not talking. Get off me. Let’s go to sleep.”

The big body didn’t move, and all Jake’s pushing didn’t budge him. Okay, he’d just go to sleep. Jake turned his head on the pillow and sighed. Ignore the runt.

Cal was quiet, then a voice came out of the darkness. “Jake, did you have sex with a man?”

Jake swallowed hard. “Why the hell would you think that?”

“’Cause I remember that guy. Tom. So did you?”

 “Yeah, sort of, but don’t think it was something major. I mean, it just happened…”

 “Awesome.”

“What?”

Caleb shifted and brought his face down so he was looking straight at Jake in the dim light. “I said, awesome.” He was quiet for a minute, then seemed to have made a decision. “Jake, my roommate is my lover. His name is Charlie.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah.”

They both just rested in the moment. Then Caleb practically pounced on him. “Tell me, Jake. Who was it? What did he do?” Suddenly Jake was being lifted by the shoulders and hugged by his giant of a brother. “Oh crap, Jake, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have someone to talk to.”

Jake extricated himself gently from the bear hug and scooted back so he could sit up against the pillows. The light coming through the windows illuminated his brother’s handsome face. “Cal, why haven’t you told Mom and Dad?”

He looked a little sulky. “I didn’t hear you sharing your adventures at the dinner table.”

“Yeah, well this was a one-time thing. How long have you known you were…uh, liked guys?”

“It’s okay, Jake, you can say gay. That’s what I am, and I’ve known it since I went into puberty and all my raging hormones were pointing me in the wrong direction. Then I realized it was the right direction for me.”

“But you never told the folks.”

“For a long time I just kind of denied it. Then when I met Charlie and really got committed to the lifestyle, I just got tongue-tied. You know, Dad and Sean are such alphas.”

“I notice you didn’t include me in that description.”

“Well, you’re the pretty one. And you were always so comfortable with Tom. Man, I thought he was cute. Of course, I was just a kid, and he couldn’t see anyone but you. F**k, that guy loved you.”

“You knew that?”

“F**k, yeah. Didn’t you?”

“Not for a long time.”

“Wow. Poor guy.”

“Yeah.”

“So is that who you were with? Did he move to LA or something?”

“No, it wasn’t Tom.”

“Yeah, and I guess he wouldn’t be famous, or I’d probably have seen him. So who was it?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“If it doesn’t matter, why won’t you tell me?”

“Don’t want to.” Shit, what was he, five?

“So what did this unknown guy do?” Cal grabbed him again. “I’ll bet he sucked you off, didn’t he? That’s a pretty heteroflexible activity. Who doesn’t like getting their c**k sucked? Right?”

“Yeah, right.”

“So who was it? Tell me, Jake. You know I’m not gonna tell anyone. C’mon, tell me.”

Jake sighed. “Okay. Have you ever heard of a model named Roan Black?”

Dead silence was followed by a soft whisper. “You are shitting me.”

“No.”

His voice rose. “Roan Black sucked your c**k? The most beautiful man in the world sucked your f***ing c**k?”

“Shhh!”

Caleb fell back on the very crowded bed. “Baby, that doesn’t make you gay, it just means you’re smart.”

 Jake burst out laughing.

Book Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0glXEW3_fM

Find Tara Lain at:

Volley Balls
Tara Lain

Email:                   tara@taralain.com

Website:              http://www.taralain.com

Author blog:         http://taralain.blogspot.com

Book blog:           http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com

Goodreads:         http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Savvy Authors:   http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/member.php?2398-Tara-Lain

Twitter:                http://twitter.com/taralain

Facebook:           http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Lain/205042046209804

________________________________________________________________________

Wow, totally HOT. So how much (good) trouble do you think Tara and I can get up to in New Orleans? Oh, I'm sure we'll be writing about it. Remember to leave a comment (and email addy) to enter to win a copy of Tara's book Volley Balls.

Creating Better Heroes: Male POV for the Romance Writer with Sascha Illyvich

Online Class: August 15 – August 28, 2011

“Thank you so much to our workshop presenter, Sascha Illyvich, for the wonderful insight into writing male characters! We have lots of great information to consider for our heroes now :-)” – Karla from Hearts through History RWA Chapter

Learn the ins and outs of character creation from a side of romance we rarely hear from, the male romance reader/writer! Erotic Romance author Sascha Illyvich shares with us tips on how to create more memorable heroes, avoid some common pitfalls and have more fun with our writing!

What you'll learn from this class:

· Male Archetypes and how they affect our characters

· How (il)logical men think and why they act the way they do

· How to take any male character from any movie/story and modify him to fit your story

· How to get your man to express his true "self"

· What men REALLY care about and how to work with that for your characters*

· A man's self view*

· The GAY MALE Viewpoint*

· The Male Cycle of Emotions and how it compares to the female cycle of emotions

· A man's journey in life

· What men really think

A few extras

Using character creations sheets (don't groan!) that have all the relevant information you'll need, you'll be able to craft male characters that are just as deep as your female characters. Getting inside the heads of your male characters is the most important aspect of "how to write" them.

Cross gender writing can make or break an author's career if they cannot portray the opposite gender clearly and accurately. With the growing popularity of M/M romances, it's becoming increasingly important for males to be portrayed in the proper light! We'll cover all that here and a lot more over the next week.

About the Instructor:

Sascha Illyvich started writing eleven years ago. His erotic romances have been listed under the Night Owl Romance and Road to Romance's Recommended Read list, as well as nominated for the CAPA.

He is the host of the Unnamed Romance Show on Radio Dentata and continues to write for Renaissance E-books, and Total E-bound. Readers can find his work, plus free reads at http://saschaillyvichauthor.com

He edits for Renaissance E-books Intoxication Erotic Romance line and is also part of the WriteSex Panel, a blog group defining erotica for writers in any genre! Find them at http://www.writesex.net

“The information you provided as well as what the other class 
members said was really helpful. I'm sure both my hero and my villain 
will be improved by what I learned even though I was unable to do the 
exercises except for the first one.”  -  Carol Jo, Erotic Romance Author

Note: This is a two-week class

Enrollment Information at http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassAug11.html

COST: $10 for OCC members, $15 for non-members

Enrollment deadline: August 13, 2011

If you have specific questions, email occrwaonlineclass@yahoo.com

Check out OCC/RWA's full 2011 list of workshops:

http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html