Whether you’re writing Paranormal Romance featuring a badass shape-shifting vampire, werewolf, a spicy Contemporary with a cute puppy, an Historical with horses, dogs, and birds of prey, or Urban Fantasy with modern day dragons, Centaurs or reptilian creature of your own imagination, understanding the animals and creatures within the pages of your book is as essential to ‘world building’ as the setting, time and place.

Oftentimes, a dog or pet in a story can evolve into a secondary character, interrupt a romantic moment, provide a moment of comic relief, or increase tension in a dark Romantic Suspense. Sometimes, animals are portrayed incorrectly or it’s difficult to suspend belief when a person shape-shifts into a bird of prey. How can this be possible? How can you as a writer make the reader believe a full grown man can turn into a gigantic hawk?

Join NYT Bestselling author, Jessica Andersen, and multi-published Ellora’s Cave author, Frances Stockton, as they discuss this topic in depth at NEC’s October 16, 2011 meeting. Bring a pen, notebook or favorite note-taking device and we’ll have an entertaining discussion.

New York Times Bestselling author and multi-nominated RITA and Reader’s Choice nominee, Jessica Andersen has penned more than twenty science-based Romantic Suspense novels, the Mayan-based 2012 doomsday prophecy, Nightkeeper novels, and a four-book miniseries from Harlequin Nocturne with powerhouse authors, Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, and Jill Monroe. And, believe it or not, there is more to come. To find out more about Jessica visit her website!  http://www.jessicaandersen.com

Frances Stockton is the author of the Panthera series with Ellora’s Cave Blush and spicy Contemporary Romance with Ellora’s Cave. Having spent 12 years as a Veterinary Technician at a small animal veterinary clinic in Fallston, Maryland, earning a degree in History/Secondary Education and a genuine love of big cats, the idea of the Panthera was born during a horse-drawn carriage ride through Dallasduring RWA Nationals a few years ago. But as much as she loves incorporating giant leopards, lions and tigers into sensual romance, she’s been telling stories since kindergarten. Visit http://www.francesstockton.com to learn more!

We all have things in our author’s toolkit we use to help us write, but what do we do when we get stuck? This workshop will be centered around ways we can spark our creativity and push past blocks. Charlene Glatkowski will talk about her own “author’s toolkit” and writing process. Pretty much, she often gets stuck and has to find her way out. She’s discovered it helps sometimes to get out of “ye olde” regular groove and try something new. Come to this month’s NEC meeting to try some new tactics for getting unstuck and learn some fun ways to spark your creativity. There’ll be a giveaway too, so you may even win your own author’s toolkit!

Charlene Glatkowski writes young adult and adult fantasy as Lena Goldfinch. Her short-but-sweet romantic fantasy, The Language of Souls, is now available from The Wild Rose Press. You can visit her online at www.LenaGoldfinch.com.

This meeting will be on September 18 at The Old Town Hall in Bedford (directions)

Our meeting tomorrow will be at The Old Town Hall at 16 South Road in Bedford.

Directions

For the first meeting in our new location, we will be doing a brainstorming workshop based on objects provided by our VP, Mary Reiber.  Bring writing materials and come prepared to have fun.

Don’t forget that we will be meeting on August 21 at the Bedford Town Hall at 10 Mudge Way in Bedford, MA.