Autobiographical Urban Fantasy

Darkshore · Aug 24, 2011

I'm in the process of writing my first Urban Fantasy novel and noticed that I had the tendency to make quips that were breaking the fourth wall. I've seen this done before so it wasn't much of a concern, but I was wondering if anyone has ever written an urban fantasy novel or series that was generally an autobiography of the MC's life (in my case as a P.I. That gets tossed into supernatural conflict.). Just curious.

Caitlin Black · Aug 28, 2011

Do you mean that it'll be like most autobiographies, with little dialogue? Because I'm not sure that would really work...

But if you had loads of dialogue, or at least enough to tell the story, then perhaps you're just thinking of a first-person UF that's quite narratively chatty?

Sorry. I don't seem to understand where you're coming from is all.

Darkshore · Aug 29, 2011

Pardon me, didn't notice the reply. The MC tends to speak to the reader directly at times, sort of like a voice-over from an old noir crime drama. My choice of wording wasn't very clear I apologize. I just know it's usually frowned upon to break the fourth wall like that and wondered if it might fit for this kind of story. Thus why I was asking if anyone else had seen it done in a similar way in Noir Urban Fantasy. Sorry for not being very clear

. To be as clear as possible, the narrator seems to speak as if hes telling the story himself while sitting in a chair at fireside after everything's all said and done and making quips about the things hes done during the tale.

KimJo · Aug 29, 2011

Harry Dresden in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series does something similar. Seems to work pretty well in that case.

Caitlin Black · Aug 30, 2011

Oh, breaking the fourth wall... I get you know. I think it could work well. There might be times when suspension of disbelief is difficult (though you could use that to your advantage) but it could also give a nice snap to the story.

Deirdre · Aug 30, 2011

PIs are a classic case where breaking the fourth wall works, assuming it's done well.

Darkshore · Aug 31, 2011

Thanks all. I didn't really connect it with other series like The Dresden Files. I'm just writing it in an odd way I think. The MC is narrating his life basically (the cases) but here and there when something seems more to me as a thought hes having now looking back or remembering a reaction he had that doesnt fit with the narrative I put it in italics its sort of hard to explain, but eh I'll see how the beta-readers like it hehe.

Stacia Kane · Sep 1, 2011

I say go for it! Part of the fun of UF is playing with genres/overlapping them/freedom to try new and different stuff. I think it sounds cool.

Looking forward to seeing it in SYW one of these days.

Darkshore · Sep 4, 2011

Thanks all I have part one written and am currently in editing mode. Here's the first complete chapter up on SYW if anyone's interested. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223957

reiver33 · Sep 5, 2011

I always write in first person so the story is akin to recounting past events to a third party. In terms of being semi-autobiographical I use people, scenes and events from my past, just with the proverbial name changes.

Tasmin21 · Sep 6, 2011

In my books, my MC talks directly to the reader all the time (usually trying to convince them that his jokes really are funny). It can be a great addition to the voice of the piece if done right.

Darkshore · Sep 6, 2011

After getting some feedback on my first chapter it turns out that my novel isn't all that different from how The Dresden Files or The Jesse James Dawson novels in terms of voice perspective. For some reason I felt the need for italicized thoughts, but turns out I was wrong hehe.

feather · Sep 7, 2011

Simon Green is another one who both writes PIs and breaks the fourth wall. He's a bit discrete about it, as he just mentions characters and settings that scifi/fantasy fans can recognize (like the Doctor's screwdriver in the lost and found box of the local bar).

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