Rules and Regulations When Writing Urban Fantasy by Liz Kreger Back to Blog

Update:  Liz’s winners are…Cyberclipper and Pam. K! Congratulations, ladies!  Please contact Liz at liz@lizkreger.com and let her know which book you might be interested in.

Hi Everyone … and in particular you, Cyn. Thanx for having me as your guest blogger today and letting me play on your website. This is an awesome way to celebrate June and I’m all over it.

Being fairly new to the whole urban fantasy genre … i.e., been reading it for a bit over a year (almost exclusively) and now writing my own urban fantasy, I’m really interested in learning the “rules” … if there is such a thing.

I started out writing romantic science fiction. There were at least two (maybe three) books lurking about in my soul that had to come out. Well, two of those came out with Samhain Publishing in 2008 and 2009 with “Forget About Tomorrow” and “Promise for Tomorrow”. I do have a third book percolating in my mind. It just hasn’t manifested enough yet to warrant the time necessary to make it come alive.

In the meantime, I’ve written a couple of contemporary paranormals and am now taking a whack at urban fantasy … which I absolutely adore. However, I’m trying to discover if there are any real hard and fast rules to writing urban fantasy. From what I’ve read and heard, its pretty much anything goes. You want your vampire heroine able to move around during the day? Okay, go for it but make it real to your world. Or … what? Have your werecritter suffer from some sort of animal hair allergy? Sure, go ahead.  Your world, your rules.

When I first started reading urban fantasy, I was a little put out by the fact that several authors would throw in two lovers (or potential lovers). My thoughts on romance was one hero and one heroine. After extensive reading … not so much any more. With urban fantasy, you can have hot paranormal creatures where its virtually impossible for the heroine to settle on just one. Hell, in the UF I’m writing, I’m planning on throwing in three potential lovers. We’ll see how that works for me. I’m a pantser, so this whole storyline can go in several different directions. For that matter, why not toss in a female lover for the heroine? Talk about a potential conflict … particularly if the heroine is strictly heterosexual. Hmmm. Interesting thought. Gotta think on that one.

I’m just sayin’ that when it comes to urban fantasy, there really aren’t any rules or regulations. This is your world, your fantasy and your story. If you can make the reader believe it … your golden.

Thanx for having me, Cyn. It was loads of fun.

Anyone interested in checking out FORGET ABOUT TOMORROW and PROMISE FOR TOMORROW can visit me at http://www.lizkreger.com. I’ll be giving away a copy of the book of your choice for two people who comment today. This will be done by a drawing of names by a cute little ten year old who lives for this sorta thing. 😆

Here are the tag lines for each book:

Forget About Tomorrow

Forget About Tomorrow

FORGET ABOUT TOMORROW: The concept of aliens is beyond Victor (Mac) McNaught until circumstances forces him to come to the aid of the beautiful Larissalyia Ashanti (Lacey). Hiding out on Earth, and on the run from intergalactic mob boss souMalocho, Lacey must stay one step ahead of his minions until her father, Chief Magistrate Ashanti finds enough proof of souMalocho’s murderous crimes to put him away forever. When Mac, an unsanctioned barbarian, witnesses the evidence of aliens on Earth, Lacey does the only thing she can. She kidnaps him and takes him with her as they flee Earth. Initially an unwilling passenger, Mac learns far more than he ever dreamed of the galaxy and finds the love that had been missing from his life

Promise For Tomorrow

Promise For Tomorrow

PROMISE FOR TOMORROW: Only days from being disqualified from the royal throne of Dakar, Jhaan is diverted from his quest to locate his psi-mate by the attempted assassination of Rianna Chartier, a princess of the Zarian realm. To Jhane’s shock he realizes that this beautiful alien is the psi-mate he had been searching for and despite the fact that she is to wed another in a politically advantageous match, marries her without her knowledge or consent. It is while dodging assassins and internal court intrigue that they discover that Rianna is not the only one someone wants dead.

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35 responses to “Rules and Regulations When Writing Urban Fantasy by Liz Kreger”

  1. Virginia C says:

    Hi,Liz! Since Urban Fantasy is futuristic fiction, it’s pretty much wide open to specualtion. I think that it would be great fun to take our present reality and amp it up into a decidedly darker view of things to come. It’s also a great opportunity to develop some very interesting, intriguing female characters. It’s about time : )

  2. Rashda says:

    Thanks for sharing your writing journey and exploration. I felt nervous that I wasn’t committed to any particular genre, but you’ve to go where the story takes you, right?

  3. Cynthia Eden says:

    Hey, Liz!! Great post!! And I just have to say…your books are fabulous! You know I’m a fan. 🙂

    Thanks for blogging with me!

  4. It is great to be able to let your imagination take you where it will with no rules to tie you down. Your books sound great. I’m putting them on my list.

  5. Renee Wildes says:

    Hey Liz!
    Was wondering what you were working on! Have those two from Samhain and LOVE them! I just wanted to say great post, and the other thing about urban fantasy is a fiesty, intelligent heroine. Strong characters are a must on both sides.

  6. Viki says:

    Hi Liz – Great post. I don’t write but I certainly read A LOT and have to agree with you that there are no rules in Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Fantasy. The author should have free rein to do as they feel best.

  7. Tracey D says:

    Hello!

    These books sound great and I look forward in reaing them. I’m heading to your site now.

    Thanks.

  8. Raonaid Luckwell says:

    Pantser I like that, where even the author has no idea how the story goes

  9. Valerie says:

    Great post and I’m checking out your books now!!

    I love urban fantasy….and….um….is your ten year old bribeable??? Hehe!!!

    Valerie
    in Germany

  10. Colleen says:

    Enjoyed reading your post… as long as the book and characters grab my attention, add as much conflict as you like… 😉

  11. Barbara Elness says:

    Interesting post, and that’s what I love about urban fantasy, anything goes as long as you make it fit your world.
    I love scifi romance, so the books in the giveaway are right up my alley.

  12. Judy Cox says:

    I really enjoyed your post!! I am really into urban fantasy books!! Your books look like a great read!!

  13. Jean P says:

    That was a great post. Your books sound like some I would like to read. Off to check out your website!

  14. Pamk says:

    your too books sounds great. I’m adding them to my tbb list. I love scifi romances.

  15. cories says:

    Hi! Thanks for writing down what my friends and I were discussing the other day. How did you know? 🙂

  16. CatsMeow says:

    Hi Liz, I love the idea of the three love interests for your heroine, not so much the female, but that’s just me. I love Urban Fantasy, but I have not read SciFi Romance before, but I’m always up for a new reading choice.

  17. Joder says:

    I love reading UF books! I like the dark and gritty feel of a world that has few rules…it makes for amped up heart pounding action. I also enjoy the societal vision in a sci-fi romance where people connect in a different way.

  18. Jane says:

    Hi Liz,
    I just discovered urban fantasy not too long ago. I avoided reading this genre for a while because I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this type of story, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

  19. Edie says:

    Hi Liz, you know I’m already have both your books and love ’em, so don’t enter me in the drawing. I think the only “rule” that should matter in any genre is “tell a great story.

  20. Cybercliper says:

    I love them all – romantic science fiction, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy. All three genres can be really dark and edgy (which I love) and the discovery of love between two characters takes the whole trip to another level.

  21. guest says:

    Sorry I’m so late in responding to comments. I was gone all day and just recently got home. Had to run around with the little darlin’. She just finished with school and was in a shoppin’ sorta mood. Who am I to deny her? 😆

  22. guest says:

    Oops. I should have signed myself when commenting.

    This is Liz responding to comments and getting ready to select two winners for my books.

    Liz Kreger

  23. guest says:

    Hi Virginia. I totally agree with you. With the introduction of UF, a lot of kick ass heroines are really given a chance to strut their stuff.

    And switching genres is not difficult to do, Rasha. I started with sci fi romance because I used to read tons of sci fi before switching back to romance. It was a natural step to write it. When I learned more about paranormal and urban fantasy, my interest was immediately piqued.

  24. guest says:

    Pleasure being here, Cyn. Thanx again for asking me.

    Terrific, Marlene. Love sharing my stories with new readers and always love the sales. 😉

    Hey Renee. Great seeing you here. Strong characters are a must in any genure, but I absolutely love seeing them in romance … no matter whether its paranormal, contemporary or comedy.

    Liz Kreger

  25. guest says:

    Thanx for the agreement, Viki. I love it when people agree with me. I get that so seldom at home.

    Thanx, Tracey. Reminder to self … gotta update my site.

    Pantsing can be tough, Raonaid, but I tried the whole outlinging route and it just doesn’t work for me. I’ve had authors mention that it has happened that when the entire story is outlined, they seem to lose some interest in it. That’s where pansting comes in handy. You really don’t know exactly where the story is going. You just have a general idea.

    Liz Kreger

  26. guest says:

    Actually, she is bribeable, Valier. Just promise her some tiramisu. She’s crazy ’bout it.

    That’s what every author strives for, Colleen. Holding the reader’s attention. If a book is put down for too long, the reader tends to lose interest.

    Thanx for stopping in, Barbara. I’m amazed on how popular sci fi romance is becoming. Just check out Linnea Sinclair or Susan Grant.

    I’m hoping the UF I’m writing will be a hit, Judy. I’m certainly having fun writing it. Dark and gritty. You can make it as bloody or gruesome as you want. Gotta love that.

    Liz Kreger.

  27. guest says:

    Thanx, Jean.

    Wonderful you stopped in, Pam.

    I just be psychotic, Cories … or is it psychic? I always get those mixed up. 😆

    I thought three potential love interests would be fascinating, Catsmeow. It might not necessarily happen, but the sexual tension will be there. (Love the tag name, by the way)

    Liz Kreger.

  28. guest says:

    You never know what’s coming with UF, Joder. That’s one of the things I love ’bout them.

    Great Jane. I was the same way up until I realized that I’ve been reading Laurell K. Hamilton for years and loved her stuff. Strictly UF. After that I started investigating the whole genre. Discovered Cyn’s work that way.

    Thanx, Edie. Your rule is one of the most important.

    That’s what we’re aiming for, Cyberclipper. The characters have to click to make the story spark.

  29. guest says:

    Okay. My adorable little darlin’ has dutifully written down and put all the commenter names into a hat. Aaaaand … drum roll, please.

    She has selected Cyberclipper and Pam. K. Congrats!

    Please contact me at liz@lizkreger.com and let me know which book you might be interested in. I’ll get ’em right out to you.

    Thanx everyone for visiting and for commenting. It was a total blast being a guest here on Cynthia Eden’s blog.

    Liz Kreger.

  30. Susan Lathen says:

    Hi, don’t read that many science fiction books but yours do sound interesting. Good luck.

  31. Stacey Smith says:

    Great post and so true all you have to do is make the readers believe in the story.I love Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

  32. Congratulations on the 100th episode and your new book! Looking forward to both.

  33. Chelsea B. says:

    Ohh! Really looking forward to reading your books! Its always great to learn about a new-to-me author!

  34. Casey says:

    I love urban fantasy books! I can’t wait to read yours!

  35. I am a huge fan of urban fantasy and anything goes… I will admit I am OK with as many potential lovers as fits the story. However, I am one of those that prefers that when the heroine/hero commit they do so completely but until that moment have lots of fun.