Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal Romance

[Elise-K-Ra'sha]

I just read this article written by a facebook friend of mine. Hope this helps people in trying to determine the basics of urban fantasy or the differences between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I read it and I found it quite useful.

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/urban-fantasy-vs-paranormal-romance

[Cathy C]

It's adequate as a description, but I disagree with several of her points. It's not the be-all/end-all of the genres. :)

[Elise-K-Ra'sha]

Probably not, but I'm thinking it could help some people who ask themselves what defines urban fantasy. I'd like to know, and I already see several posts asking the same question. I'd have to go over the posts again and reread the replies, but I've not seen anything relatively concrete in the replies as to what actually defines "urban fantasy". If this article can help at least one person with that, then, hey, no harm, no foul.

[clbaughman]

Thanks for this article. I have been debating this myself, as my recent novel really falls somewhere in between these two genres. My two main characters fall in love over the course of a series of books...but there's still the gritty, action-packed fantasy element within all of them.

Interesting that this article dictates that paranormal romances must have a happily ever after...that makes me think my novel would be better characterized as fantasy. Geesh. Not an easy call to make.

Do you think there is a benefit/downfall to categorizing a novel as one or the other?

[ChaosTitan]

Do you think there is a benefit/downfall to categorizing a novel as one or the other?

Absolutely there is a benefit.

The word romance implies certain things in a novel. I write urban fantasy; I don't write paranormal romance. Folks coming to my novels looking for a nice romance plot, along with an HEA, may end up disappointed. Do I have small romantic subplots? Sure. But the romance doesn't drive the narrative, and that's one of the big differences between any type of romance and its non-romance counterpart. Thriller vs romantic thriller, for example.

It isn't a matter of just picking a category either. While some books do straddle the line between UF and PNR, many can be pretty clearly labeled as one or the other.

[Silver-Midnight]

So, what is the main difference between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance? They both contain creatures, but PR has an equally important romance plot?

[Jess Haines]

Urban fantasy may not have any romance in it at all. It also may or may not have a HEA ending.

Paranormal romance can have elements of UF, but the emphasis is on the relationship.

[Silver-Midnight]

Thanks.

[K.L. Townsend]

Urban fantasy may not have any romance in it at all. It also may or may not have a HEA ending.

Paranormal romance can have elements of UF, but the emphasis is on the relationship.

This is a great, simple but succinct way of saying it.

[Jess Haines]

LOL, thanks. I originally had a much longer/wordier post, but then realized the firewall at the office was about to defeat me and cut it down. :D

[Silver-Midnight]

Since we're on the subject what makes Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series Urban Fantasy, not Paranormal/Supernatural? I'm not trying to offend anyone with this question; I just heard that this series was UF, and I think it deals with vampires, right? I know that vampires are not only in paranormal stories, but still. I was curious.

[yttar]

Since we're on the subject what makes Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series Urban Fantasy, not Paranormal/Supernatural? I'm not trying to offend anyone with this question; I just heard that this series was UF, and I think it deals with vampires, right? I know that vampires are not only in paranormal stories, but still. I was curious.

From what I understand, paranormal is usually shorthand for paranormal romance. The primary difference between paranormal romance and urban fantasy is the romance aspect. In paranormal romance, the romance part of the story is more important. Like romance novels, it's about a man and a woman falling in love and there's always a happy ever after or happy for now (i.e. they confess their love, get married, have kids ... depending on the couple).

Even though LKH's books often contain lots of sex, the primary focus isn't on Anita Blake or Merry Gentry finding their true love(s).

Now urban fantasy can have a romantic sub-plot, but it usually isn't the main focus of the story.

Yttar

[Silver-Midnight]

From what I understand, paranormal is usually shorthand for paranormal romance. The primary difference between paranormal romance and urban fantasy is the romance aspect. In paranormal romance, the romance part of the story is more important. Like romance novels, it's about a man and a woman falling in love and there's always a happy ever after or happy for now (i.e. they confess their love, get married, have kids ... depending on the couple).

Even though LKH's books often contain lots of sex, the primary focus isn't on Anita Blake or Merry Gentry finding their true love(s).

Now urban fantasy can have a romantic sub-plot, but it usually isn't the main focus of the story.

Yttar

Oh, so there isn't just like a "Paranormal" genre? I'm sorry. I basically asked the same question twice then. I wasn't trying to do that. I could've sworn I've seen "Paranormal" by itself though, but I can't remember where. Thank you for your help though.

[Cathy C]

As I understand it, "paranormal" only exists as a shelving category in one or two chains. I believe Books-a-Million does but I've never been in one, so have no way to know for sure.

Realistically, it comes down to shelving. "Urban Fantasy" sits on the ScienceFiction/Fantasy shelf. "Paranormal Romance" sits on the Romance shelf. LKH's series are neither. They have always sat on the Horror shelf (or Dark Fantasy, if the store is big enough to split them out.) Now, there are some stores that ignore the spine classification (there actually is a notation or code on most spines telling the bookstore where to shelve the book) if they've determined their particular clientele considers the book to be something else and continually goes there to find it.

Our first two series, for example, the Tales of the Sazi and Thrall series, were spine classified as romance, and ARE romances. But readers kept looking for them in the SF/F shelves because of the strong fantasy aspect, so many chains would move them, or double shelve them in two spots.

Does that help?

[Silver-Midnight]

As I understand it, "paranormal" only exists as a shelving category in one or two chains. I believe Books-a-Million does but I've never been in one, so have no way to know for sure.

Realistically, it comes down to shelving. "Urban Fantasy" sits on the ScienceFiction/Fantasy shelf. "Paranormal Romance" sits on the Romance shelf. LKH's series are neither. They have always sat on the Horror shelf (or Dark Fantasy, if the store is big enough to split them out.) Now, there are some stores that ignore the spine classification (there actually is a notation or code on most spines telling the bookstore where to shelve the book) if they've determined their particular clientele considers the book to be something else and continually goes there to find it.

Our first two series, for example, the Tales of the Sazi and Thrall series, were spine classified as romance, and ARE romances. But readers kept looking for them in the SF/F shelves because of the strong fantasy aspect, so many chains would move them, or double shelve them in two spots.

Does that help?

Yes and no. However, I think I'll just save deeper understanding if/when I try to publish. :) I could've sworn I saw LKH(Maybe her Merry Gentry series) mentioned as UF, DF. I could've been wrong though.

But the point is, in Paranormal romance, the key word is romance. There has to be a romance and there has to be a HEA.

Urban Fantasy doesn't guarantee that. The boy and girl don't have to fall in love, but if they do, it's only a sub-plot/secondary thing. However, it still contains the mysticism of Paranormal romances: vampires, werewolves, fairies(or fey), etc.

[Cathy C]

Yes, and no. Laurell's books actually PRE-DATE the concept of Urban Fantasy. It didn't exist as a term when they were written. Same with Simon Green's Nightside series and Mercedes Lackey's DianaTregarde series. Yes, they're all UF, of a sort. But they started as Horror. It's possible some stores have moved them, and as they move from publisher to publisher (LKH's series have been pubbed by multiple publishers) they might change them.

The Anita Blake books are very much Urban Fantasy in concept, as are the Merry Gentry books. But I think they're still shelved in Horror. I'll check with her to be sure, though.

[Silver-Midnight]

Oh, okay. Now that makes a lot more sense. You don't have to check with her if it's a lot of trouble. Again, I just wanted clarification. Some genre definitions seem very set and precise, and with others, the line is very, very blurry.

[Tasmin21]

As as FYI - All of LKH's stuff is shelved in fantasy at my local bookstores.

[Cathy C]

Laurell was out but I got hold of her DH. Laurell's books are spine classified as " NYT bestseller" which trumps shelving classifications & leaves it open for the store/chain to decide. He said Borders used to shelve them in horror. B&N shelves in SF/F. My local Hastings has them in Horror. So apparently , it depends. But that goes back to the point that there's room for interpretation with UF. The thing they don't share is the requirement of a "happily ever after/happy for now" conclusion. :)

[Silver-Midnight]

Thank you. :)

[Silver-Midnight]

Truthfully, I am kind of curious as to why so much of Urban Fantasy novels are written in 1st POV and so many Paranormal Romances are written in 3rd POV. Is it just because the writer felt they could tell the story best that way, or does it have anything to do with most romances change perspectives, i.e. it's told from the hero's and heroine's POV? I mean because you can do a switch of POV while still using first POV.

[Cathy C]

I think it's more that there's an immediacy to 1st person that's hard to capture in 3rd. Danger is one of the big elements in UF, and fear/pain can be written stronger in an "I" capacity than a "s/he".

But there are certainly UF books written in 3rd and they do quite well, so it might just be more that the writer feels more comfortable in 1st. I know I do, but some stories just refuse to be told in 1st :ROFL:

[ChaosTitan]

Piggybacking on what Cathy said, paranormal romances do tend to be written in 3rd person because (as in other types of romance) it's common to have both the hero and the heroine's point of view. Romance is much less central (although not entirely absent) in UF, so both POV's aren't as necessary.

[Silver-Midnight]

Piggybacking on what Cathy said, paranormal romances do tend to be written in 3rd person because (as in other types of romance) it's common to have both the hero and the heroine's point of view. Romance is much less central (although not entirely absent) in UF, so both POV's aren't as necessary.

That's what I was thinking too, but I wasn't sure.

I think it's more that there's an immediacy to 1st person that's hard to capture in 3rd. Danger is one of the big elements in UF, and fear/pain can be written stronger in an "I" capacity than a "s/he".

But there are certainly UF books written in 3rd and they do quite well, so it might just be more that the writer feels more comfortable in 1st. I know I do, but some stories just refuse to be told in 1st :ROFL:

Wow. Never really thought of it like that. And :ROFL: at your last comment.

[Stormhawk]

Piggybacking on what Cathy said, paranormal romances do tend to be written in 3rd person because (as in other types of romance) it's common to have both the hero and the heroine's point of view. Romance is much less central (although not entirely absent) in UF, so both POV's aren't as necessary.

Other POVs can be important for reasons other than romance though...

I do my UF in third-person-limited, because characters other than the MC need a chance to share thoughts/show perspective etc.

It's really fun when you have the MC having a perspective on a...co-worker, I guess, and she sees him as the monstrous thing to be terrified of, and run away from at every opportunity, which is completely valid. But then we get said co-worker's girlfriend's opinion on him, and then into his head, and you get a far more complete picture. And all three perspective on the one man are valid. :D It just gives you information you couldn't have by staying in the MC's head.

[Silver-Midnight]

Other POVs can be important for reasons other than romance though...

I do my UF in third-person-limited, because characters other than the MC need a chance to share thoughts/show perspective etc.

It's really fun when you have the MC having a perspective on a...co-worker, I guess, and she sees him as the monstrous thing to be terrified of, and run away from at every opportunity, which is completely valid. But then we get said co-worker's girlfriend's opinion on him, and then into his head, and you get a far more complete picture. And all three perspective on the one man are valid. :D It just gives you information you couldn't have by staying in the MC's head.

See. That's why I like third limited as well, because I feel like it gives me more to say. I like having the different opinions I suppose. Even if it is only done from one person perspective and it's third, I still feel like it's more for some reason. Maybe I'm just weird like that. :tongue

[Stormhawk]

If you're doing limited-third it feels like there's far more room to move to another perspective, should you choose to do so. :)

[Stacia Kane]

I really wish I knew/could understand where the idea that third person automatically equals multiple POVs came from. It doesn't. Millions of books are written in third from the POV of one character and one character only. But over the last few years all of the sudden I've seen people insisting that if only one POV character is used a book must be in first or it's "wrong," which is just ridiculous.

[Silver-Midnight]

I really wish I knew/could understand where the idea that third person automatically equals multiple POVs came from. It doesn't. Millions of books are written in third from the POV of one character and one character only. But over the last few years all of the sudden I've seen people insisting that if only one POV character is used a book must be in first or it's "wrong," which is just ridiculous.

I didn't say that in my post actually; I mean that third limited automatically means multiple perspectives. I even said even if it written from just one character's POV, I still feel like I have more to say than I would if I write in first POV. However, that's just me. And I'm no trying to sound mean or offensive or anything like that.

If you're doing limited-third it feels like there's far more room to move to another perspective, should you choose to do so. :)

But sometimes it's not even writing another perspective; it's just I can go further in depth with the characters, and my descriptions feel better in my opinion. I just know that every story can't be told in third limited, and I'm worried what will happen when I get to a story that isn't. :ROFL:

[Silver-Midnight]

I found this article by a fellow AW-er, poeticjustice_2001: ( And I did get her permission to post this link)

http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2011/02/the-new-era-of-genre-blending-urban-fantasy-vs-paranormal-romance/

[ChaosTitan]

I really wish I knew/could understand where the idea that third person automatically equals multiple POVs came from. It doesn't. Millions of books are written in third from the POV of one character and one character only. But over the last few years all of the sudden I've seen people insisting that if only one POV character is used a book must be in first or it's "wrong," which is just ridiculous.

That's interesting, because I haven't stumble across that insistence. I usually see it stated along the lines of "third allows multiple POV more easily than first." I've never seen anyone say you have to use first if it's a single POV. I've read dozens of novels with a single third POV.

You're right. It's a bit ridiculous.

[A Scribe]

For the first time in my life, actually, I'm writing a Young Adult Urban Fantasy series for a 14+ audience. I needed a LOT of help from my daughter with this :D and some feedback from her friends as well in order to keep it at that rating.

The main difference between urban fantasy and paranormal romance is the premise. The backdrop, situations, etc., are almost identical, but romance, paranormal or otherwise, usually has the goal of achieving a HEA whereas in urban fantasy novels, this isn't necessarily the case. And although there usually is a romantic element somewhere in the story, it isn't the goal as it is with paranormal romances.