Research is Essential #OurAuthorGang

In my last two posts, I discussed things I discovered while researching topics for my novels or short stories. When I started writing, I never thought I would have to research anything. I thought if I wrote fantasy I wouldn’t have to. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Even in the fantasy realm, you have to know the basics to be credible. You have to know the different types of swords and how they are used. The basics of fighting with a staff or axes or even shooting a bow are all required if they are put in your novel. Poorly written battle scenes are usually a sign of someone who hasn’t done their research. Depending on what type of book you’re writing military strategy could be helpful as well.

If you are writing anything based in the real world even if it is a fantasy the

All Retailers

details become even more important. I started writing For Their Sins as a vampire fantasy and never gave a second thought to its historical accuracy. At least I didn’t until I was preparing it for publication. Suddenly I had a complete work of fiction with characters who didn’t even have names from the countries they were born in.

To allow the reader to completely lose themselves in the fantasy of that world, everything had to be accurate. I had to research names, places, dates, clothing and yes even sailing times from the early 18^th century.

I’m not the only author to do so. The detail is what separates good novels from great ones. Think about best-selling novels. In books ranging from the Da Vinci Code to The Silence of the Lambs, there is always well-researched details from the real world. Everything is believable. You don’t spend half your time wondering: is that right?

If you as a writer are tripped up wondering is this accurate; so, will your reader. It will detract from your story. A few days ago I read a couple pages from a book’s “look inside” on Amazon, and it left me wondering. Why is the main character speaking Spanish when the orator told me they are speaking Portuguese? They are in Africa. Do they speak Portuguese there? Two simple questions in the first two pages already detracted from the story they were trying to tell me. The reader was lost.

No matter how tedious research is always worth the effort. You never know when you may have a local reader pick up your book or an expert in that field. You may not claim to be an expert or a local, but you don’t want to look like an idiot either. You want the reader to focus on the story, not your facts.

Finding Fantasy in the Bible part 2 #ourauthorgang

by Rebecca Tran

 In my last blog post on this topic, I discussed the nephilim or human-angel hybrids. This legend comes directly from passages in the Bible. The only matter up for debate here is specific interpretations of the word. That is a topic for another day and probably better left to theology scholar, not a pharmacist who writes fantasy at night.

This week instead I thought we would discuss a legend that arises from the “unofficial” books of the Bible. As discussed previously those books did not meet the specific criteria to become an official canon of the scripture.

The book of Enoch was lost for almost 2000 years. The writing it contained was so taboo that most of the copies were deliberately destroyed. Although, some copies survived and were rediscovered in Ethiopia in the 18th century. They were later translated and gave more detailed accounts of the Nephilim, and the Watchers.

The fallen watchers were a group of 200 angels that descended from heaven to earth. They lived among humans, married human women and taught humans many subjects that they were not supposed to. The information was supposed to build naturally as humans evolved instead the fallen angels forced it on them all at once.

Enoch describes God’s wrath on his fallen children. The leaders of the group were forced to watch their families kill each other while, the remaining fallen watchers were chained and locked in the

“valleys of the earth.” Their sentence was to last for 70 generations or until their or the final judgment depending on the translation. This same event is mentioned in the Bible Jude 1:6-7, however, the supporting details are lacking. Enoch gives a detailed account of the events surrounding their punishment.

When starting to research the sequel to my paranormal romance, For Their Sins, it seemed like the perfect obstacle for my Heroine to overcome. Who knows what would happen if you unleashed 200 angry fallen angels. Unfortunately, the novel is still a work in progress, it’s in my ‘to do’ pile though and I can’t wait to get back to it. In the meantime, ForTheir Sins is available now.  The companion short story, Unlike the Rest, is always free.

Buy Now

Free Now

Book in the Spotlight: Dragons of the North #OurAuthorGang

Dragons of the North: Box Set

Rebecca Tran

Several months ago I reached a lull in my writing. I was discouraged over low sales and felt like I hit a wall. I knew what I was writing was good but no one was reading it. Frustrated, I took a break and purchased a $0.99 shifter romance on Amazon. It was a new genre for me. It sounded like fun though. I gave it a whirl, and I was hooked. One book became the whole series. 

Soon I had a sexy dragon shifter of my own stuck in my head. But, who was his leading lady? Who needed the perfect man? Then it hit me. My best friend struggled to find Mr. Right. She needed a happy ending more than anyone I knew. I started writing what I thought would be a short story. I planned to send it to her as a surprise. The more I wrote though the more the story took on a life of its own. 

The series dedication reads: 'This set of romance novellas is dedicated to my best friend Crystal who inspired one of the characters. I hope she finds someone who loves her as much as I do.' It's a sentiment that I repeat throughout the stories. I think everyone deserves to find someone who loves them and makes them truly happy. While this series began as a present for a friend I now hope it brings happiness to many more readers. 

This is an excerpt from Book 1: Chased

Taylor stretched onto her toes to cover the eight inches of difference between them. She’d never felt short until she met Chase. She kissed him gently, testing to see how he would respond. Hisarm wrapped around her pulling Taylor close to his body. Her lips parted inviting him in, and Chase’s tongue swept into her mouth. It was electric. She’d never felt anything like that before. He was gorgeous, and a remarkable kisser and he was hers. 'Mine' her heart sang.

Taylor let go stepping away. She looked at Chase a long moment still reeling from their kiss and the sudden feeling deep inside her. Taylor’s heart was pounding. Why would she think that? Why? She had to get away. Taylor went into his room and shut the door. She leaned against it and locked the handle to keep herself from doing something she’d regret later. Chase stood on the other side of the door a long moment before leaving without a word. Taylor wondered if she made a huge mistake.
                                                                         ✯✯✯✯✯
EVERYTHING ABOUT KISSING Taylor felt so right. 'Mate' and 'Mine'. Kept going through Chase’s head. He quit fighting it. If this is what it felt like to kiss his mate, he was ready to embrace it. He couldn’t imagine a better choice than Taylor.

If you would like to read this set of novellas it will be released 1/25/18. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon and other book retailers. If you would like to receive updates, exclusive content, and freebies sign up for my newsletter . For a complete list of my work visit my author page or my website.

Finding Fantasy in the Bible #OurAuthorGang

By Rebecca Tran 

Finding fantasy in the Bible may sound like heresy to some, and I am not suggesting by any means that the Bible is a work of fiction. I am in fact a christian with great faith. What I am referring to is reading between the lines. You can find inspiration in how and why the Bible was written; what was included and what was left out of this holy text. For me, all it took was a little research and basic understanding of how the Bible came to be.

I've found material for three novels in the Bible. One novel only used a small piece while the other two wouldn't exist without it unfortunately only one is completed so far. During this two part blog, I will show you some of the discoveries I made. Hopefully, you will find it as interesting as I did and inspire you to draw inspiration from one of the oldest books in history.

When researching anything in the Bible, you first have to understand how it was constructed. I say this because their are "unofficial" books of the Bible in existence. Those are writings made by christians or followers of Christ that didn't make the cut to be official canon of scripture. That criteria were as follows:

1. Written by a recognized prophet or apostle
2. Written by those associated with a recognized prophet or apostle
3. Truthfulness in the writing
4. Faithfulness to previously accepted canonical writings
5. Confirmed by Christ, prophet, or disciple
6. (original)Church usage and recognition  (For more info)

Nephilim are nothing new they were mentioned in books before and had a movie made out of them. They are humans born of angels, and yes according to the Bible they existed. However, they weren't 
handsome teenagers with mystical powers or even 300 year old vampires. They weren't even the good guys.

Nephilim according to the Bible were a race of giants. They were evil and led to the downfall of man. Some scholars argue that they were prolific breeders and so corrupt that they led to the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was the Nephilim that God wanted to destroy in the flood. Of course, there is debate everywhere that God did not succeed in killing all the Nephilim. The Promised Land was inhabited by them before the Israelites arrived, and Goliath was supposedly one. For more information here are three sites with interesting arguments. 1. 2. 3.

When I needed a way to re-invent vampire lore in "For Their Sins" Nephilim gave me the perfect opportunity. Who better to track down the world's worst sinners than descendant's of angels. Only this time everything was done with God's approval and under his control.

Amazon      Other Retailers