#WriteTip - Know the Enemy by @HaleyWhitehall (spotlighting her @LSB_lsbooks #Historical #PNR #Romance)
/Fellow Liquid Silver Books author Haley Whitehall has a brand new paranormal historical romance out. In addition to snagging an excerpt from Alpha's Voodoo (which has a super interesting cover), I also convinced her to give me a writing tip. As we all know, heroes and heroines are the focus of most romances. But good stories also require a compelling conflict, which is why antagonists are often very important.
Know the Enemy
by Haley Whitehall
I’m excited about my newest release Alpha’s Voodoo. It is my first historical paranormal romance. I come bearing a short writing tip: Know the Enemy. Of course, I’m not talking about the trolls on Goodreads. I’m talking about the antagonist in your story.
I knew the hero, Mark Afton, and the heroine, Violet Creed’s backstories early on when writing this story. However, I didn’t know Mark’s enemy very well. Mr. LeBlanc is introduced in Alpha’s Voodoo and readers will learn more about him as the Bayou Pack series continues. He is feuding with the Afton family which affects the entire Bayou Pack.
After four drafts I still didn’t know why Mr. LeBlanc was out to destroy Mark Afton. I just knew that he was. That wasn’t good enough so I had to dig deeper. The more I included about the issues the two men had with each other the stronger the story became, in my opinion.
Even when an antagonist doesn’t play a key role in a story it is important to get to know them. What your hero and heroine fear is part of their character. We all have dirty secrets. What are your characters hiding? What weakness does the enemy want to expose? It will help make the characters seem more real, help readers relate to them.
Alpha's Voodoo
Bayou Pack Book 1
by Haley Whitehall
Are curses real or merely imagined?
Violet Creed is a colored New Orleans debutante. She was brought up with servants and a strict set of rules regarding propriety, and her papa never approved of her interest in Voodoo. One night she sneaks out of the house and attends one of Marie Laveau’s gatherings—where she loses her virginity and her reputation. Turned out by her papa, Violet is destined for a life on the streets until Madam Dawn saves her.
Cursed to live as a wolf shifter, Mark Afton is a wealthy lawyer and heir to the Bayou Pack. Unfortunately, he can’t take over leadership from his uncle without a mate. Wanting to escape his mother’s endless matchmaking attempts, he accepts Madam Dawn’s invitation to sail on the maiden voyage of the Southern Rose and enjoy the pleasurable company of her ladies.
One of Madam Dawn’s recent hires catches his attention. He is drawn to Violet immediately. Could she be his mate or is their attraction merely Voodoo?
About Haley Whitehall
Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy.
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