It takes practice and a certain level of confidence for a paranormal romance author to assume the reader’s understanding of specific elements of paranormal romance novels.
Practice in the sense that a writer has to spend time with the characters and the premise in order to be fully comfortable with the story. Practice, in this case, means more writing, editing, and revising. That practice then pays off in seamless storytelling, in presenting elements of paranormal romance novels with such convincing passion that the reader is swept away on the adventure.
The ideal result for paranormal romance readers and authors.
Confidence comes from all that practice. Real confidence in storytelling sprouts from knowing your characters and their gifts and challenges so intimately by the time the story is ready for the reader. The confidence of a paranormal romance author shows up on the page in the way all the elements of a paranormal romance novel work together for a reader’s enjoyment.
So what about the paranormal romance author’s assumption of reader understanding?
Again, practice breeds confidence in how paranormal romance authors strike the balance between assumption and explanation of all the things that go bump in the paranormal romance novel. Some authors believe an idea, concept, or tool has to be explained in depth when it first appears. Other authors believe the reader will understand through the context in which the elements of the paranormal romance novel are used.
Even paranormal romance authors who craft detailed, ongoing series must answer the question of reader assumption with each and every book. In a book with new characters, but similar elements (shape shifters, other worlds, etc.) the author must find a balance that doesn’t lose the reader, yet doesn’t interrupt the flow of the story.
Some paranormal romance authors use a glossary, maps, or an index of characters, places, tools, skills, etc. This helps readers bridge the knowledge gap that can occur between releases of books in a series. It’s important for paranormal romance authors to remember that even the favorite elements of paranormal romance novels can get blurry for a voracious reader who spends time with several authors each month.
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