top of page

I'm Writing Romantasy?!

  • Writer: Emmalia Harrington
    Emmalia Harrington
  • 3 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

This week, I got hit with a new hyperfocus. My brain is determined I will write a detailed outline for a romantasy tale, with all the cliches I can think of. My fingers have been flying on the keyboard.


I'm not entirely sure what romantasy is. I know it's a portmanteau of "romance" and "fantasy." For me, the term is new. I typically see it during marketing books and franchises that have popped up in recent years. If there is more to the term, please let me know.


Every so often, I have a powerful urge to write cliche riddled pieces. I don't do this to insult genres or writing styles, but as a way to stretch my brain. Creative writing often encourages people to be original, subvert expectations, tread new ground. My fiction portfolio is full of stories where I do my own thing.


It's also fun to run in the opposite direction, to collect stock plots, stock settings and scenarios, and see how many expectations I can cram into a single paragraph. Subverting my own writing, if you will.


In terms of cliches, most of what I know of romantasy comes from web manhwa.  I'll come across romantasy tropes even if the manhwa is supposed to be a very different genre.


Here's what I have so far:

-Rather than portray all the visual tropes in my outline, I note how the leads are absurdly gorgeous. There's also the occasional empathic environment.

-Every major or named character is noble or royalty.

-The love interests are dukes.

-There's an arranged marriage, and it takes up much of the plot.

-Scary character is a sweetheart to the protagonist.


What am I missing?


A plate of heart shaped shortbread and chocolate shortbread cookies rest on wooden boards. red candy hearts are scattered directly on the wood.
Romance!

 
 
 

Comments


Emmalia Writes

©2023 by Emmalia Writes. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page