Full Moon of Werewolves Schedule
About today’s guest: Teresa D’Amario
Teresa was born in Atlanta, the daughter of an Army Soldier during the early stages of the Viet Nam war. She spent her childhood traveling from state to state, finally ending up overseas in Germany where she graduated high school six months early. Her writing career began as a young Airman in the Air Force, writing monthly articles for the weekly base paper. Now she writes sexy shifter novels.
One lucky commenter will win an ebook of Teresa’s novel, SheWolf. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered. Winner will be announced at end of Full Moon promotion. Last day to enter Saturday, March 25th at midnight central U.S. time.
When I first considered writing about Shapeshifters, I swore I’d never write wolves. Why? 
Because everyone writes about wolves. I wanted to write about the Big Cats. But my best friend kept telling me no. Do what I know. I know wolves, and was always giving her advice on her short stories. They should be my first choice, not my last.
“Nope”, I said. “I refuse. I don’t want to get lost in the shuffle.”
But it was not to be. They say the mind is much more complicated than we believe, and no matter what your decision, it sometimes decides what’s best without your input. You see, for me, writing about wolves would be like writing about a true love. I have researched canine and Lupine behavior for fun for more than 20 years. It isn’t that I chose to write, then it became an obsession. No, animals have always been an obsession for me. Dogs and wolves were at the top of that list. I’d worked at training dogs for obedience competitions, and then later other varieties of performances, so I understood how the basic canine brain worked. The possessiveness, the natural instincts, the variety of “breeds” and how each was different. While the domesticated dog could be controlled, his wolf cousin was a bit more unpredictable. There were fewer breeds, yet more individualistic behavior.
So one night, I’m lying in bed, thinking. This is my best time for me to plot, just before I go to sleep. It’s what I’ve done since I was five years old. Plotting and visualizing a story helps me relax and doze off.
Anna came to me the instant I opened my mind, in a whirl of frustration and noise. She was in a bar, you see, and hated the smoke and the loud music. She was there to help celebrate a friend’s “turning of age”, not something she’d do normally. So when she stormed out into the night, relief washes the smoke and sounds right out of her. Peace. At last.
But danger lurked in that place. Sounds and movement surrounded her, threatening her. Hands grabbed her. Or were they paws?
Then came Kieran. In an instant I knew he was a wolf. Damn it! I said no wolves. He merely looked at me with that intense gaze of his, and as clear as day I heard “Tough shit, deal with it.” Wo!! Okay!
So a week later, I’m telling this story to the owner of the local book store how they came to me, and insisted I write about them. A woman is eavesdropping, then shakes her head. “Why don’t you just make him someone else?” I look at Lori, she looks at me, and I can’t help it. I break out laughing. She turns to her customer and says, “No, it doesn’t work like that. An author goes with what comes to their head. Most can’t control it, it just happens.”
At times, I feel like I have come home. Putting my own spin wasn’t as difficult as I’d expected. My heroine helped me build my world probably more than my hero did. Other times, I find them the truly confusing, private creatures they are, hiding the best of a story right under my nose until I prove my worth.
So now I write the wolves, filled with true wolf behavior. From that sudden sniff of danger, to the rumble of appreciation. From knowledge about how scenting works to the instincts which drive them to mate. And to protect that mate.
Wolves have been feared all their lives, killed by hunters and terror driven families alike. Every continent, every nationality has it’s stories of wolves and werewolves. But it’s not the full story at all. Wolves are not only fearsome creatures. Yes, they have powerful instincts which drive them. Willing to kill and be killed for the ones they love. They have a tender side, driven to provide for their young. There’s no child abuse in the wolf society. All love and care for the babies.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s a tough world for these creatures, both real and fictional. The females admire strength and prowess. The males want a female able to withstand the rigors of living on the edge of a world who despises them.
Why do I write about wolves/werewolves? To show we can all be our own person, and yet still be loved. To show the beauty of an animal on the brink of extinction. To show the reader true romance. And because I love the sleek, sensual nature of the powerful beast.
Buy Teresa’s books:
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In the long run, all that anyone can be is themselves. Otherwise you just bite youself in the butt.
Any way there is just something about a wolf.
I am glad that the werewolves made you write them because your book sound amazing. I think they knew what was best..lol. I have put them in my wish list.
Your book sounds wonderful and I would love the opportunity to read it.
I don’t know if I’m just particularly slow, but your article caused me to have an epiphany :idea: (owie!) The paranormal/urban fantasy/shifter books all celebrate diversity! Thank you for finally getting through to me, Teresa!
Zita
I too have always loved wolves since childhood. I can’t wait to read your books on wolves it sounds facinating. Thank you for your story.
That’s so wonderful that you researched canine behavior for years before you got into writing about werewolves. I really enjoyed your “behind-the-scenes” story!
Hey, great post! I really love it when authors do a good job talking about real wolf behavior and manage to incorporate that into their werewolf/wolf-shifter books while their characters are in human form. It makes for an interesting contrast with the human characters.
Thank you for this post. It was informative and showed a side of the wolf I wish people would get. I love cross stitching and I’ve made several wolves. They can be so breath taking to work on. They’re such individuals.
Have a great day.
All that research paid off. The qualities brought to your werewolves make them seem so realistic.
Cool post! I guess you were meant to write about werewolves lol.
Hi Teresa! Your books sound fantastic. I love hearing from the authors about how their story ideas came to them. As far as I’m concerned, there can never be enough werewolf ( vampires, shifters, gargoyles Oh sorry. Got off on a tangent) to go around. Keep them coming. Have a great weekend!
Wow, I’m so slow this morning, just getting up and popping in! Thanks all for the wonderful comments.
Dinah, Erin, Ashley, you’re right, you can only be yourself. Wolves have held my fascination for many years. I get alot of questions about research and it’s hard to answer, simply because I could say “Twenty years of it” or I could say “None”. LOL.
Zita, you are so right! That’s what most shifter book are about – acceptance through diversity! For if the non shifter in a story (though not all werewolves have a non shifter) does not open their minds and accept someone different from themselves, the romance cannot happen!
Jamie, Deb, Kait, You are so right. I think they knew what was best too. :) Sometimes the characters in a book are so real to the author it’s hard to believe I won’t run into Kieran or Anna downtown, or even when I walk into my Vet’s office (You gotta read the book to understand that).
Bookstore, Thank you. :) I hope you do, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Thank you Erin, Kanarytz, Barb. I love writing about my best friends. I met my first wolf in real life in Germany. They called it a European Blue wolf. When I write my wolves, I try to remember the sensation of feeling him stare at my dog (oops, yeah, but he was fenced, thank heaven), his head low, his hackles raised. His growl was low and deadly, and goosebumps raised along my flesh as I got a shiver . Oh yeah, I will always remember that moment.
Roberta, I’m no good at cross stitch, but I bet those are awesome! :)
Jody, Thank you so much for the compliment. :) You made my day!
Wow what a wonderful insider post! I love how Kieran came to you… Every character is unique, so the fact that he was a wolf is no biggie… he wanted to be created, wanted his story to be told! Thanks for sharing! :D
Hi Colleen, thank you. :) Yes, Kieran was very clear from moment one. Everything about him flew into my head in one “instant”. From his job, to his past, to his present. :)
I still get to write about the kitty cats, but that, my friends, is another story. :)
Great post. And I especially like how you were so determined not to write about wolves and suddenly the option was taken out of your hands by the very character you were writing about! If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.
Your friend gave you good advice, Teresa, after all that interest and research for the wolves, how could you not write about them.
And every day she says “I told ya so,” Pam. LOL Ok, not really. :D
But you’re right, she gives great advice. She is always telling me how I “Found myself” when I started writing the wolves. :)
Your book sounds great. I enjoy reading about weres.
OmGosh Teresa! I’ve just realized that right before bed is when I start to think. THAT’s when I need to have my journal handy. I think I’ll even start keeping my computer on at night for those moments. By the time I get up, go to the other room, turn my computer back on and wait for it to light up, I’ve lost my thought. And sometimes that one thought is what keeps you writing! T
hanks for the post. I enjoyed reading about your background. I love wolves and dogs too—especially big dogs like German Shepherds.
:D
Julie
Love your post and I love wolves so glad your hero demanded to be a wolf.
Donna, Estella, Lisa, Thanks. :) Hope you’ll check out SheWolf!
Julie. LOL. Yeah I’ve heard it’s because it’s when we open our mind the most. We are more relaxed and our imagination works best. Some authors get up really early in the morning to write. I Can’t do that, but I’ll sometimes force myself up after having come up with an idea that won’t let me sleep. :)
Me neither, Teresa! I am NOT a morning person. I’d rather stay up all night writing, than get up early. The brain just does not function then.
:mrgreen:
Julie
Hey, Theresa, no wonder we identify with those night creatures!
:cool:
Julie
LOL So true Julie. I can write till 4 or 5 in the AM on a good nite. Hubby hates when I do that. But yeah, we think of shifters as “night creatures”. Fits well! :lol:
Teresa’s books are awesome!! These should be on the top of your shopping list! I so am anticipating her next one!!
Don’t put me in this contest since I’ve had the joy to read Teresa’s Gonna go back and peek at the books again, a bit of re-reading!
I find that there is more creativity in my brain at night……I get more accomplished and it is better accessed BTW love your books and would love to add another to my collection!!
Caffey, Shell, you two are awesome. :) Thank you so much for stopping by. And I’m working on a new wolf release now, the sequel to Tigress by the Tail, with my 5 wizards and their mates. It’s entitled “Lone Wolf”. :)
Keep watching the site, and I’ll let you know the release date as soon as I have it. :)
lol love that deal with it. Sounds like something an alpha male would do.
Hi Pam,
Oh yes, he’s a true alpha male alright. :) He still gives me shivers a year later!
Teresa, I love wolves and werewolves. I find them fascinating. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading your books but I think I will have to remedy that very soon.
Linda,
I certainly hope you enjoy them. :) And there are more to come!
“Deal with it.” LOL Those characters can be so stubborn, swear! Anyway, I’m definitely checking out your books, Teresa. Thanks for the post!
They certainly can, Ley. :) My work in progress characters are playing hide and seek, the little brats!
Thanks for checking my books out. I hope you enjoy them.
YOUR BOOKS SOUND VERY INTERESING
Hi blackroze, thanks. :) I hope you check it out some day! :-)
Great post! Kieran sounds like a great character. This book is now on my to read list!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks. :) I hope you enjoy it when you get there. Yes, he’s very special. He has the ability to be a full blown alpha male, yet still have a gentle, sensitive side driven by respect for his mate.
This post called to me because I, too, have a wolf named Kieran. :cool:
Kieran’s attitude is great!
I totally get the plotting before bed time. I get some of my best ideas as I’m drifting off to sleep.
Great post. I’m glad you decided to go with what felt right to you and your characters. I think that’s really the only way to be fair to yourself and them. I look forward to reading your books.