Tell me what to write--your opportunity to sound off at an author!

[Celine Chatillon]

A question for all those readers out there--what should I write next?

I feel like I'm at a crossroads here. Celine's latest release isn't selling as well as the book before... And is it because it's a "Molten" erotic-romance (lots of sex and kinky stuff) or because people like vampire stories better than time travel stories?

I have an idea for the third book in the "Paranormal Lovers of St. Louis" series, but if people only want me to write vampire stories, then so be it.

So, this is your place to let me know what you'd like to read next. Do I finish this novel for the paranormal series with a hot and sexy invisible man as the hero (and plenty of menage opportunities!) or do I go a different direction?

(BTW, my vampire novella "Blood Betrayal" will be released in September approximately. Stay tuned for more details. It features Leo the psychopathic villian from Help! I'm Fallng for the Vampire Next Door, too.)

Okay, don't be shy--tell me what to write next or tell me why my super sexy erotic-romance time travel story Hanging with a Time Surfer isn't selling like I think it should. (You can read excerpts from all my books at my web site at the link below in order to make an informed opinion.)

Thanks for your input and insights.

[Celine Chatillon]

No comment, eh? Sigh!

[Xandra Gregory]

I like the idea of Invisible d00d getting a piece. Just so many opportunities for wicked.

[Dionne Galace]

I like a good "invisible man" story myself.

[Tina Holland]

Celine,

I like the idea of "invisible man" too.

Tina

[Celine Chatillon]

Well, it's agreed--three out of three erotica authors like invisible men for their heroes.

Thanks, ladies.

But no one likes a time traveler as hero? Sigh!

[Dionne Galace]

The heroine in my current WIP is a time-traveler.

[Celine Chatillon]

Yes! Excellent choice, Dionne.

I heard an agent talking at RWA this past weekend, and she says that NY pubs all want "dark, dark, dark" paranormal stories with erotic elements and not so much a love story.

She then told me that the story I pitched at her was "too romancey". Duh!! I'm an erotic-romance writer! (She wants suspense, I take it. That's the problem with an agent who represents too many genres at once, I guess.)

So, should the tone of a paranormal story always be "dark, dark, dark" or can a few comedic elements be worked into the mix for a bit of levity? What's your opinion--all blood, guts, death and despair or is a little humor okay with you, readers?

[b00kworm22]

Hey - to get my hard earned dollar - there better be a lot of romance in there.

Too dark and I ditch the book. I want to feel better once I put down a book, not as though I want to slit my wrists. Comedic elements are needed - too much dark things happening and too much angst - it's not my cup of tea.

I think vampires hot at the moment, but it'll pass. A few years ago it seemed like every paranormal was a werewolf book sigh.

Just my 2c worth

Michelle

[Mima]

what do those stupid ny pubs know...

i read a lot of that dark dark dark suspenseful stuff. take the patricia briggs' series about the coyote chick. you know what i'm always left with? "wish there was more romance in there." and i agree with Michelle: I had to abandon the wonderful character of David Valentine because the author's idea of plot arc was betrayal, death, abandonment, and more betrayal. uck. and with kim harrison's newest, i'm going to have to rethink that awesome series too. i adore vamp and were and love to dabble in dark places. i can take the hits, but i gotta have hope, if not an HEA. otherwise it's too much reality in my fantasy.

"my place is of the light, this place is of the dark, i do not feel the romance, i do not catch the spark." -indigo girls

[Raquel Taylor]

I'm going to vote for the invisible man story and then I'm going to second my own vote.

As to everything being either dark or light, I think the most important element is the romance overall. As long as I like the characters, whether they make me laugh or cringe, it's all good.

[Celine Chatillon]

Thanks for the feedback on the "romance" angle in particular... I really did have some reservations about this agent telling me that she didn't think "romance sells". I think she may be showing her own personal bias there.

The statistics really show otherwise. Readers like romance. I like romance... So, I hate to say this, but if you read one of my erotic-romances, you WILL get a romance. It may be a bit different (like a threesome) but there will be some sort of romantic element involved in all that fun sex stuff.

Michelle brings up an excellent point--When is "dark" romantic fiction "too dark"? Maybe I'm writing darker than I think, but I'm perceived as not writing dark paranormal.

Is there some sort of standard or test I could put my stories or ideas through? Anyone who has read my two LSB releases... What is your opinion of the "darkness" factor?

[Tina Holland]

I would think a light paranormals would have an audience too. Mary Janice Davidson comes to mind.

[Celine Chatillon]

Yes, MaryJanice Davidson!! I need to get my name linked to hers... Anyone want to post a review of one of my books somewhere linking me to this NY Times best-seller?? Pretty please?

[Tina Holland]

You could just ask her Celine. Find her addy, send her an e-mail and see if she'll give you a quote...what's the worst that could happen...she could say "No."

A friend of mine did this with Heather Graham...and got one for her upcoming book.

[Celine Chatillon]

Cool beanz!!! Hmmm... Would she do one for a book already published you think?? It would be great if I could get her to give me a nice quote to promote the whole Paranormal Lovers of St. Louis series in one fell swoop...

One nice thing this week--Vampire Next Door continues to sell well at Amazon in print!