Writing Urban Fantasy, Part 1 -- "Oh yeah? Says Who?"

I'm starting a new blog series--or at least attempting to start a new blog series--on writing, specifically urban fantasy and where I think the genre may go in the future. To kick off the series, let's start with the ever popular task of trying to define the undefinable.

What is urban fantasy?

Urban fantasy is often defined as having supernatural/paranormal elements layered over our recognizable modern or near-future world. The setting is a large city such as Los Angeles, New Orleans, or St. Louis. Often the main character is female and the story is told in first person point of view. The story can have elements pulled from other genres such as science fiction, mystery, horror, and romance and woven together in a cohesive manner with varying degrees of emphasis placed on each of these genre elements. Primarily, the plot will consist of a mystery to be solved or a problem to be corrected before some great calamity strikes. Romance, if present, is usually a secondary plot. Character and story arcs often carry for multiple books. These are "The Rules" of urban fantasy.

We could spend hours if not days debating the finer points of what is or isn't urban fantasy. That is time we could spend doing more productive things, like writing the next book in a series or even the first book in a new series. For me, the definition hinges on the romance and if it's the main focus of the story or not because it's the easiest way to separate urban fantasy from its cousin, paranormal romance.

Where did it begin?

Most "experts" will point to the initial release of Laurell K. Hamilton's GUILTY PLEASURES (Book 1 in the Anita Blake series) in the early 1990s as the beginning of the genre's mass appeal to readers. However, I believe Anne Rice's INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE would also qualify as an early example of urban fantasy, even though the point of view character is male and much of the story is told as Louis's memories, the actual "interview" takes place modern times.

However, one could make a strong argument for finding urban fantasy's roots in the Romantic Movement in works such as Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN, Bram Stoker's DRACULA, Charles Dickens's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Edgar Allan Poe's MASK OF THE RED DEATH, to name a few. You're probably thinking to yourself "But these are classics! How can they be urban fantasy?" The answer is simple: At the time they were written, they were set in the modern era, in urban centers, and carried an element of the supernatural. Time moves forward but the written word doesn't. It's fixed on the page.

Pinpointing the start of urban fantasy is difficult and open for debate. Suffice it to say the genre has steadily gained popularity is now one of the most widely read genres because of its broad appeal to readers of other genres.

What are some common elements?

The most common element is the supernatural. Whether the supernatural takes the form of vampires, werewolves, fairies, zombies, aliens, shapeshifters, or something else isn't set in stone. Nearly any creature can make an appearance in urban fantasy.

What is the difference between urban fantasy and paranormal romance?

The two share 90% of their genre DNA. However, the main differences are this: Urban fantasy focuses on an issue outside of a romantic relationship between two characters. Paranormal romance focuses on a romantic relationship between two characters and how outside forces affect that relationship. The best litmus test to determine if a story is urban fantasy or paranormal romance is to ask the following question: "If the romance between Character A and Character B were removed, would the plot still stand as a viable storyline?" If the answer is "yes," chances are good it's urban fantasy. If the answer is "no," it's most likely paranormal romance.

Okay, so that covers the basics of urban fantasy. Are we clear on what is and isn't urban fantasy? We've all got "The Rules" firmly fixed in our minds? Good.

Now forget everything I just said.

Why?

Because it's fiction. When Mary Shelley wrote FRANKENSTEIN, she wasn't concerned with a genre. She wanted to write a ghost story. She wanted to write fiction.

You want to write urban fantasy with a male protagonist? Do it. The "rule" that says you must have a female protagonist hasn't stopped Jim Butcher, nor did it stop Mary Shelley.

You want to write urban fantasy set in a post-apocalyptic world? Do it. Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series is a wonderful example of the broken "rule" that says it has to be a modern day or near future setting. You can even write a story set in the past. Edgar Allan Poe did. THE MASK OF THE RED DEATH uses the backdrop of the Black Plague for its setting even though Poe was writing in the 1800s, long after the plague had all but disappeared.

You want to write urban fantasy set in a small town? Do it. Look no further than the popularity of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series to see that small towns can be just as intriguing as large metropolitan areas. Charles Dickens's London wasn't the sprawling urban center it is today. Yes, it was still a large city but reading that story has the feel of being set in a smaller London.

You want to write urban fantasy with multiple character view points? Do it. Faith Hunter's Rogue Mage series began with BLOODRING and featured both first and third person points of view. Bram Stoker's DRACULA has multiple points of view and each is necessary to convey the story. This is important: The story dictates its needs. If it can be told from one character's point of view, great. However, if more than one is required, don't sweat it. There is no actual "rule" that says you can't have more than one.

My point is this: Urban fantasy is a label used to identify where a book falls in the publishing spectrum. At the end of the day, it's fiction. Aside from the basic rules of writing, such as grammar, spelling, and the structure of story, there are no rules. Some of the best fiction ever written has broken "The Rules." Urban fantasy as a genre has broken rules from Day One and it will continue to do so. In fact it'll be necessary for the next generation of urban fantasy writers to break even more rules.

Will we see urban fantasy set on distance worlds and trekking through the stars? I think so.

Will we see urban fantasy set in the Roman era with gladiators battling werewolves for the entertainment of thousands? It's possible.

This is fiction and in fiction, anything is possible.

Okay, so we have a basic working definition for the genre. In my next post, we'll discuss one of my favorite topics: researching the urban fantasy novel.

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Whatever Contest Winners!!!

Thanks to all who entered my holiday contest! I won't bore you with long speeches or other irrelevant yakkity-yak. You're here to know who won. Therefore, I present The Winners (chosen at random):

5th prize - Signed copy of BLOOD LAW: Victoria & "The Little Drummer Boy"

4th prize - Signed copy of BLOOD LAW: Alexa & "Last Christmas"

3rd prize - Signed copy of BLOOD LAW: Stacy Maynard & "All I Want for Christmas is You" (Livejournal entry)

2nd prize - Signed copy of BLOOD LAW: Heather Wigen & "Where Are You Christmas"

1st prize - $15 Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble Gift Card + signed BLOOD LAW: Rhianna & "Blue Christmas"

Grand Prize - $25 Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble Gift Card + signed BLOOD LAW: dianeb & "The 12 Days of Cryptmas"

Winners: You have until December 22 to email your shipping info to contest AT jkholmes DOT com! Grand Prize and 1st prize winners must include a valid email address along with their choice of Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble gift card. Gift cards will be sent electronically.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks again to everyone for entering the contest! I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday season!

~Jeannie

The Writer's Prayer

I've been in a bit of a writing slump for the past few weeks. Something about this time of year saps my motivation and drains all the smarts from my brains like a zombie on crack. My critique partners and fellow writers all gave me support and encouraging words, but still the slump continued and I kept searching for a way to break out of it.

And then it happened. Through the miracle that is Twitter, I was led to a marvelous post by author Chuck Wendig...a little inspirational boost he dubbed "The Writer's Prayer." (Click the link for the full text.) Here is but an example of the wisdom contained therein....

"This book is not the boss of my shit."

"My hamstrings might snap like high-tension cables and take out one of my eyes. My back may bend and bow until my scoliosis allows me to pleasure myself with my mouth. My knee caps might shoot off, striking a Yeti in the eye which makes him really mad and so he comes over and tears both of my arms off and beats me about the head and neck with my own gore-spewing limbs. My mind may crumble under the assault, driven to the very precipice of sanity, staring down into the deepest yawning yawping abyss and as the Yeti howls and my synapses fire I will smell the scent of funeral flowers wafting up from that abyss and I will find it peaceful and comfortable and will realize how easy it would be to just pivot my hips just-so and go tumbling down into that satisfying darkness, the darkness of ease, the darkness of acquiescence, the milk-livered niddering darkness of sweet sweet cowardice."

"I am a writer, and I will finish the shit that I started."

Thank you, Chuck. Your words of wisdom and gift of laughter have provided me with a much needed kick in the ass. I will now finish the shit that I started.

Ho ho ho! Merry Whatever....

It's that time of year again.

Time to trim the tree....and watch the cats knock it over.

Time to wrap the gifts....and watch the cats shred the paper.

Time to visit with friends and family....and watch the cats jump in Aunt Brunhilde's lap, turning her allergies up to 11.

Yes, it's the Great Hanukkah-Christmas-Yule-Kwanzaa-Fest! To celebrate, I'm offering the following prizes to five (5) random and lucky winners. Here are the prizes and rules: (Did you really think there wouldn't be rules?)

Prizes:

Grand Prize: $25 Amazon.com OR Barnes & Noble Gift Card PLUS signed copy of BLOOD LAW

1st Prize: $15 Amazon.com OR Barnes & Nobile Gift Card PLUS signed copy of BLOOD LAW

2nd, 3rd, 4th Prizes: Signed copy of BLOOD LAW

Rules:

1. To enter contest, leave a comment citing your favorite holiday song -- whether it be "Jingle Bells" or "Silent Night" or "Grandma Got Runover by a Reindeer."

2. Contest is open to international participants. Note regarding shipping of signed copies of BLOOD LAW: Item may arrive after December 24-25, especially if shipped outside of the US.

3. Gift Cards will be sent electronically. Please DO NOT include your email address along with your entry. I will announce the winners here and provide instructions for contacting me to claim your prize.

4. Gift Card winners must choose either Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. (No, you can't have both.)

5. Contest begins December 8 and ends December 16. Winners will be announced December 17.

Happy Merry Hanukkah-Christmas-Yule-Kwanzaa-Fest!

2010 Urban Fantasy Cover Awards -- BLOOD LAW

On the heels of revealing the awesome cover for BLOOD SECRETS, I'm proud to announce that BLOOD LAW has been nominated for "Best Debut Cover" in the 2010 Urban Fantasy Cover Awards sponsored by All Things Urban Fantasy. Squeeeeeee!!!

Click the graphic below to see the official awards announcement and to cast your vote. Thanks in advance to all who vote for BLOOD LAW, and a special thanks to Craig White -- my amazing cover artist -- and Jae Song -- my equally talented cover designer -- for their tremendous work and role in making BLOOD LAW a reality.