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Barbara Graver

Barbara Graver

Paranormal Fiction | Book & Media Reviews | Our Catholic Faith

Romance or Fantasy: Genres & Tropes

March 26, 2021

The Romance or Fantasy Genre Dilemma

Lately I’ve been wondering if I should be thinking of my new series as romance or fantasy.

The current manuscript isn’t my first. I’ve written fantasy, paranormal fantasy and contemporary romance. But I’ve struggled with each of these genres. Fantasy plots challenge me. Contemporary romances interest me less and less. And almost all of my paranormal fantasies turn into love stories.

So now, with my first series, I’ve started to think that a genre adjustment is in order.

Romance or Fantasy First?

There is a difference between fantasy romance and fantasy with a romantic subplot. With some books, I’ve read this difference is immediately apparent. With others, it’s a little harder to figure out.

One of the reasons for this, is that I’ve been coming across a lot of popular series that blur the line between primary and secondary plot lines. In some of the paranormal series I’ve read, the romance arc spans three books or more.

Because of this book 1 doesn’t end in happily ever after – which is a requirement in traditional romance writing. Which is kind of what I’ve been wanting to do with my new demon tracker series.

So are the books in a series like this romance or fantasy?

I think that the best way to answer that is by looking at the tropes.

The Importance of Tropes

To me, this isn’t just about what kind of tropes do you use in your writing. It’s about what kind of tropes you like to write about. One of my favorite tropes is “love conquers all.” And, while this is never the only trope in my books, it usually is the one that comes through strongest and moves me the most.

Love conquers all is a romance trope. So I’m pretty sure that this makes me a romance writer. Or more specifically a paranormal romance writer.

Where This Leaves Me

So how do I feel about this?

Honestly my feelings are mixed. While I do read a lot of fantasy romance, the writers I admire most, like Ray Bradbury or Cecelia Holland, write in other genres. And I have to admit that I like the idea of being a fantasy writer.

But who we are isn’t supposed to be based on an idea. It’s supposed to be based on the truth.


For more on the new book, please check out my ebook page!

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in: Random Posts, Writing

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Our St. Joseph's table. Today after Mass. #stjosep Our St. Joseph's table. Today after Mass. #stjoseph #catholiclife
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The Seven Sorrows Rosary is a wonderful Lenten dev The Seven Sorrows Rosary is a wonderful Lenten devotion!

The Seven Sorrows which Pierced Our Lady’s Heart.

1. The Prophecy of Saint Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35)

2. The escape and Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)

3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43–45)

4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa.

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary. (John 19:25)

6. The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross. (Matthew 27:57–59)

7. The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. (John 19:40–42)

Not only do we get to unite our sufferings and sorrows to Our Lady of Sorrows, we are also promised 7 Graces:

According to St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373), there are Seven Graces of this devotion.

1. I will grant peace to their families.

2. I will be enlightened about the Divine mysteries.

3. I will console them in their pains, and I will accompany them in their work.

4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.

5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy, and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.

6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.

7. I have obtained this Grace from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.

#lent #Lent2023 #catholiclife #LentenJourney #catholicfaith  #lentenseason
I wasn't able to attend last week but am looking f I wasn't able to attend last week but am looking forward to doing the Stations of the Cross with the rest of the congregation this Friday!
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