Alpha World Building?

It's no secret that I enjoy sharing what I've learned in the past decade and more of being a published author. I speak a few times a year at various conferences and to writers groups about different things. My local chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America) asked me to talk again this year, and I happily agreed. I asked what topic they preferred and was hit immediately by one enthusiastic member's response: "World building!"

Okay. I can do that. I've built enough complicated worlds between my different sci fi series and my medieval-ish Dragon Knights epic fantasy world. I'm cool with that. But then the person who puts the programs together seemed to think that topic had too narrow an appeal. It seems the idea was floated that most of the membership isn't writing sci fi or fantasy. (Although world building can apply to EVERY setting, the misconception is that it only applies to SF&F.)

An alternative idea was suggested. They wanted to hear about how I create Alpha heroes. I write lots of paranormal, so many of my Alphas actually have animal traits, but I also tend to create non-magical/non-shifter Alphas, so I'm cool with that topic as well.

But perhaps out of perversity, I wanted to do both. I didn't want to disappoint that highly enthusiastic chapter member who wanted to hear about world building and I definitely want this session to appeal to everyone, so I created a mash-up. How does this sound?:

Building a World with Alpha Hero Archetypes - Presentation by Bianca D'Arc

Whether you’re building an epic fantasy world or a contemporary world where suspension of disbelief is essential to reader enjoyment (yes, that billionaire just happens to live next door), certain considerations are essential. We’ll explore the nuts and bolts of how to bring it all together while also looking at some of the popular Alpha hero traits that seem to dominate (no pun intended) romantic fiction today.

That's the blurb for the talk I'm giving in January to the Long Island Chapter of RWA. I think it worked out pretty well judging by my 3-page outline, but I guess we'll see how it goes when I do it live for the first time. Wish me luck! (And please feel free to offer suggestions in the comments.) ;-)

Meanwhile, I'm working on my next book - the last of my Arcana series - King of Stars, which will release in December.

I've been writing up a storm and a number of things have come out recently, including a new paranormal ménage - Her Warriors - and the prequel to that book - Jacob's Ladder. They came out in November and October, respectively. If you haven't seen them yet, take a look!