The Muse Came A Knocking

Lordy but I love the vibrant colors used in the cover for Storm Howl. The longer I'm in this writing business, the more I'm awed by what cover artists can create. Sad to say, I don't have a clue how they accomplish what they do and even if I was given a demonstration, chances are huge gaps would remain in my knowledge bank.

Better to let cover mavins do what they do while I concentrate on something I have a better handle on--writing. Storm Howl is the first in what I hope to be a series of paranormal stories for LooseID. #2 Wind Howl is set to be released in late Aug although there's a chance that will be pushed up. I'd love to include a look at the cover for Wind Howl but I don't have it yet. Hmm. Can you tell I'm eager to see it?

So back to the Howl series which is what I can talk about. First, I'm not sure how I blundered upon using HOWL as connecting point for the stories except that the paranormal element revolves around shape shifting wolves. When Storm Howl started taking shape, I didn't envision it as including shape shifting. I was content with a simple paranormal aspect revolving around a man named Skye who'd died a violent death in the remote area, a man whose essence remains alive so he can help heal people who need healing. And of course in the process, those people connect with each other in emotional and hot, hot physical ways.

Blame my editor. She took a close look at Wind Howl and declared that something was missing. Not only that, she kept throwing the words "shape-shifting" at me. I still wasn't willing or ready to go that far but I did compromise via long and telling 'conversations' between my characters (one was the dead man's sister) and Skye. In other words, Skye came more to the forefront and played a stronger role in helping his sister get her life on track and connect with one hunky fellow with his own baggage.

Now I've started work on #3 called Sunner Howl for no other reason than it takes place in summer a year after Skye's death. And guess what, my editor's hints, nagging, and outright bribery has pulled me into the dark side of shape shifting. Skye is going to leave behind his wolf form and regain the body he had when he was alive, a hunky body I might say. Well shoot, of course he has to because none other than his lover has returned and they have unfinished business.

Business they'll deal with both in and out of the bed.

Okay Ann, are you happy? I finally got it about the shape shifting which really is a ball to write.

Vonna

www.VonnaHarper.com