Paranormal Romance VS Urban Fantasy

missesdash · Aug 3, 2011

Okay I know there are several threads on this, but I'm still confused.
My story is 50% romance.
The Romance is between a supernatural being and a human
but, the plot wouldn't change that much without the romance. They could just as easily be friends, or he could not be there at all.

I read somewhere that PNR can't have any "magic" it can only have ghosts, vampires and preternatural creatures.

BUT I don't know how correct that is?
Also, it's not urban, it takes place in the suburbs.

Basically I need some characteristics that separate the two genres so I can correctly label my MS.

MAP · Aug 3, 2011

From what I understand, if the romance can be removed without changing the plot, then it is not genre romance in any form.

So I'd say it is urban fantasy.

Mandiloo322 · Aug 3, 2011

I would also vote urban fantasy. I think "urban" simply means it's fantasy in a modern setting/civilization and not a fantasy world or a traditional woods-mountains-caves-rivers (quest) setting.

Anything labeled "romance" means the relationship is the key element. At least, that's what I think.

Lineykins · Aug 3, 2011

I'm voting paranormal romance, as you say your story is 50% romance (between a supernatural being and human). That's a pretty big percentage.

Alexandra Little · Aug 3, 2011

If you can remove the romance, it's not a romance. A romance is where the love story is the main story. If you can take out the romance, you're probably writing urban fantasy.

missesdash · Aug 3, 2011

I should add that if I removed the romance, it would suck. lol

MadSquirrel · Aug 3, 2011

I have heard that urban fantasy is more so fantasy that takes place in a modern, contemporary setting than the fact that it takes place in a city, so I think urban fantasy would work if you took the romance out. I think.

chocowrites · Aug 3, 2011

How about contemporary fantasy?

That covers the suburb problem. Urban fantasy is supposed to take place in a city.

ETA: Or you can simply call it "paranormal" and nix the romance part. PNR gives a connotation of Twilight-type plots.

Alexandra Little · Aug 3, 2011

It does raise the point that paranormal I would define as ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and not fairies or obvious magic, but I've never really heard the term "urban fantasy romance." I'm sure there must be some out there somewhere.

Ashes Oh Ashes · Aug 3, 2011

Urban Fantasy. Many people disagree over the actual definition of Urban fantasy, but if it works without the romance, I wouldn't call it PNR.

Ultimately, it's up to you though.

Here's an interesting thread to give you some insights from non-Awers:

http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=29664.0

missesdash · Aug 3, 2011

Alexandra Little said:
It does raise the point that paranormal I would define as ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and not fairies or obvious magic, but I've never really heard the term "urban fantasy romance." I'm sure there must be some out there somewhere.

Well I have witches, a few loup garous and empaths. Later I plan to have a nix and a cambion so it's sort of a "everything exists" world. That's why I feel like it's urban fantasy. But it really is heavy on romance. And my human is rescued by my non-human in the climax.

I guess the only reason I'm hesitant is because their love isn't "forbidden." Part one would probably be considered PNR because there's the whole "will this work" thing, but then for the remaining 2 parts, they're together.

This is killing me.

Becca C. · Aug 3, 2011

Don't let it kill you! I would call it urban fantasy, myself, because of that mélange of supernatural creatures. Don't fret too much over it

Liosse de Velishaf · Aug 3, 2011

I'm a little skeptical that you could cut 50% out of your book and have the plot not change, but I think UF is probably the way to go here. Plenty of UF has a strong romance aspect.

Lnlee · Aug 5, 2011

From what I've read of your novel in the SYW forum, I think it's a better fit for Urban Fantasy. Most of the Paranormal Romance books I know are just about the girl obsessively devoting herself to the supernatural guy. I agree with what Liosse said. Lots of UF have strong romance, so it's better to go with that broad category than just limit your book to PR.

Paranormal Romance VS Urban Fantasy

missesdash

You can't sit with us!

MAP

Mandiloo322

[Shhhh....I'm writing.]

Lineykins

Alexandra Little

What a desolation.

missesdash

You can't sit with us!

MadSquirrel

chocowrites

scaredy cat

Alexandra Little

What a desolation.

Ashes Oh Ashes

Honest, not Harsh

missesdash

You can't sit with us!

Becca C.

Liosse de Velishaf

Lnlee

Reading and writing