Synopsis

More Than I Bargained For: A Paranormal Mini-Mystery

Katie doesn’t like going to estate sales. Why? Because she sees dead people.

When Katie reluctantly attends an estate sale with her friend Diane, she gets more than she bargained for. The deceased former owner of the house, Grace, realizes that Katie can communicate with her, and she has a lot to say.

As Katie pretends to shop, Grace tells her the story of how she was murdered—and reveals that her killer is still in the house.

It’s up to Katie to uncover the murder weapon and get it to the police… before time runs out.

This 4,500 word mini-mystery blends offbeat humor with the paranormal.

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Review

Cute short story mystery!

I love that Katie can see dead people and in this case, she helps Grace solve her own murder since Grace knows who killed her and the police are suspicious but have no proof…that is until Grace meets Katie and provides that proof.

This may be short but it is a great read when you have a short amount of time and it wraps everything up nicely.

We give it 5 paws up

Guest Post

Writing Across the Genre Spectrum

By Kelli A. Wilkins

Hi everyone!

When people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a writer. Usually, their next question is: “What do you write?” My answer? “Everything.”

I write fiction in various genres and levels of intensity. I can give romance readers a tender love story or a spicy erotic novella. Fans of speculative fiction can be terrorized by my horror stories or whisked away into an alternate reality in my sci-fi tales. I’ve also written several non-fiction books. Looking to take care of a cat or a hermit crab? I’ve got those covered. And if you’re ready to write your own fiction, well, I wrote the book on how to get started.

I’m often asked a lot of questions about how (and why) I write across the genre spectrum. Here are four FAQ:

How did you get started writing in so many different genres?

I never set out to be such a multi-faceted writer; it was something that happened gradually. I started out writing short horror fiction, and always dreamed of “someday” having my work included in an anthology. (I’m happy to say my horror stories have appeared in several anthologies, both online and in print.)

Then one day I came across a “10-minute love story” in a magazine and thought, “I could write one of those.” So I did. The story was accepted and I became a regular romance author for the publication. A year or so later they asked me if I could write sci-fi. I said, “Sure!” and I did.

From that point on, I realized that I didn’t have to “just” write horror, or romance, or sci fi… I could branch out into any genre or type of writing I wanted. I figured, why limit yourself? If I have an idea for a story (regardless of genre), why not write it? Eventually, I started writing romance novels and horror novellas.

Within the romance genre, you write contemporary, gay, paranormal, fantasy, and historical stories. Why do you vary so much in one genre?

I get inspired from a multitude of ideas, so I basically go wherever the story takes me. My fantasy romance, A Most Unusual Princess came about because I wanted to write about a headstrong princess looking for a husband. The idea of a gay wrestler forced to come out sparked A Secret Match, and a mysterious stranger collapsing into the arms of an 1877 storekeeper became my historical romance novel, Love, Lies & Redemption.

The plot and characters dictate the genre, setting, and heat level in my books. So I may write a hot contemporary romance one month, and then two months later I’m writing a mild historical. I don’t mind switching up genres because it gives me leeway to create unique characters and plots each time I write. I never know where the next story will take me.

Within the historical category my books range from mild to super-spicy and take place in different time periods (Old West, Colonial, Pioneer, Celtic). I don’t stick to writing “all” Westerns or “all” Colonials. Once I have the time period for the story, I do research for details and/or ideas for clothing, occupations, etc. I like to weave authentic details into the books and blend them in as naturally as possible. When I’m writing fantasy romance, I try to make the details believable, even if I’m making them up.

How do you balance writing romance and horror? Which one do you like best?

My horror stories are more psychologically spooky rather than gory, and usually after I finish writing a few romances I switch up and write a horror tale or two. I use different “writing muscles” when I tell a horror story, and I can develop different plots, characters, and have an overall darker tone in my horror fiction than I can in a romance.

I like both genres, so it was only a matter of time before I blended the two… into paranormal romance. When I write paranormal romances I have to make sure I don’t cross over too far into the horror world. You don’t want to create a paranormal hero/heroine that’s too frightening and/or violent in the story. Romance lovers don’t want to read about a full-fledged monster. The character has to be likeable and loveable with all the traits of a romance hero/heroine – even if he or she is a vampire who needs to feed. (This was the basis for my paranormal, Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover.)

Lately I’ve been scaling back on my romances and focusing on speculative fiction. These short stories aren’t exactly classic “horror” tales designed to scare readers, but they do include paranormal elements. For example, my new release More than I Bargained For is an offbeat mini-mystery about a woman who can talk to the dead.

One of my favorite horror stories is Nightmare in the North. It’s a novella about a man stranded with strangers in a blizzard. It was a lot of fun to write and after reading it, my husband called it “disturbing.” I love writing horror stories (or mainstream stories with speculative elements) and plan on releasing a few more of them this year. I’ve got lots of ideas, and I’m working on two new stories now.

You wrote the non-fiction book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. What made you decide to write a book about writing?

Every time I do an interview, I’m often asked the same batch of questions: Where do you get your ideas? How do I get published? How do you write a book? What advice do you have for writers who are just starting out? Do you have any writing tips?

I’ve answered these questions many times in interviews and addressed them in blogs, but I always wanted to say more. One day, I started thinking about everything I’ve learned over the years, and inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write? The result? You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.

This fun and practical book walks you through the story-creating process step-by-step: from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work. It covers the basics of storytelling—regardless of what genre you write.

Each easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of hands-on experience as a writer, advice I’ve received, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in writing classes and professional writing workshops. Basically, it’s practical advice on how to get started, almost like a Writing 101 workshop. Any writer can use the tips and writing exercises for an extra boost of motivation or just for fun.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Writers shouldn’t be afraid to try new things. Yes, it might be “easier” or “better” to find a genre or a niche and stay there for your entire writing career. You could build a solid brand, get a large fan base, and become a household name in that genre. That may work for most writers, but for me, it would become tiresome after a while (like having the same thing for dinner every night). I like to explore something new and different each time I write.

For me, writing across the genre spectrum is just what I do. Some days, I venture down a dark and mysterious pathway into a haunted cemetery… Other days, I’ll lose myself in the romantic adventures of a feisty historical heroine… But no matter what I write, I enjoy creating the characters, plots, and settings that bring the story to life for readers—and I hope they enjoy the journey as much as I do.

About the Author

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 4 horror novellas, and 7 non-fiction books.

​She writes romances in historical, fantasy, gay, contemporary, and paranormal genres. Although her romances span many genres and heat levels, she loves scaring readers with her horror fiction.

​Kelli’s horror stories have been published in several anthologies, including Nothing Ever Happens in Fox Hollow Vol. 1, Halloween Horror Vol. 2, Madame Gray’s Creep Show, Moon Shadows, Wrapped in White, The Best of the First Line, Dark Things II: Cat Crimes, Frightmares, Mistresses of the Macabre, The Four Horsemen, and What If… She also authored four horror ebooks: More Than I Bargained For, Kropsy’s Curse, Dead Til Dawn, and Nightmare in the North.

​Her writing ebook, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative guide filled with practical advice, handy tips, and motivating writing exercises all writers can use.

​In addition to her fiction, Kelli has authored four pet care guides: Cats, Quick & Easy Cat & Kitten Care, The Simple Guide to Cats, and Hermit Crabs for Dummies.

​Kelli was raised in upstate New York and is a graduate of Voorheesville High School, where she began writing short stories and taking creative writing classes. Rural settings and small towns often appear in many of her stories.

​She received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Dramatic Arts from Hofstra University and completed the Commercial Writer’s Certificate Program at Middlesex County College in New Jersey.

​When she’s not writing, Kelli loves to travel, visit flea markets, read, and garden.

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