Public Speaking
I recently spoke to a group of older ladies after lunch at Marie Callenders. If you know me, you will know that I can be really on or really off. Today (thankfully) I was on. I now have a sufficient amount of stories to ramble on interestingly for an hour. And this time, I managed to ALWAYS circle back to my main point (which might happen after 5 minutes of stories). I also managed NOT to be distracted (much), by my books being passed around and back cover copy, inside back cover copy, etc. read. Whew!I answered questions (as they came up) about inspiration, writing day/output, finding a publisher, my publicity photo, university presses, what sort of computer I use, contracts, etc. I usually figure that most older women are interested (like ALL women) in sex, but since they were all dressed up and most were wearing spiffy hats I wasn't as earthy as I sometimes am. However, I did give away 2 books (readers choice) and when asked which was the sexiest, I handed out Heart Thief.
So I was on. Naturally you focus a talk on the type of group and I started out with a definition of romance and the difference between romance and fantasy. The best question of the group was indicative of the group -- whether I had any older characters. I had all my books, so I talked about Guardian of Honor, which opens in an older woman's POV -- an older woman who, by the time of Sorceress of Faith, becomes the leader of the most elite fighting force in the world. That went over well. (I think I even heard a "Hear! Hear!") I also mentioned Winterberry in Heart Quest.
Once again, whew. OTOH, I wish I hadn't spoken after a wonderful lunch. I am prone to stomach upset and spent a few minutes in the bathroom afterwards.
I had a good time, I'm glad it's over, and I am most profoundly glad I was ON.
May all your writing be on today.
Robin
posted by FantasyAuthor RobinDOwens | 2:19 AM
2 Comments:
Hello Robin,
I read with interest that at your recent public speaking engagement you spoke of the difference between fastasy and romance. Perhaps if you have time, you could write a blog entry giving more details of that part of your speech.
When I first began reading parts of my novel to my writer's group, I was surprized to find the assumption that it was a romance simply because one of my main characters is a woman. Or perhaps it was because I was a woman writing about a main character who is a woman. Whatever the reason, I found myself having to explain that while there is a romance that eventually develops between this character and another of the main characters... it was a subplot... not the main plot of the book.
I would be most interested to read how you defined the difference between romance and fantasy.
Aloha,
Sue
To be short and simple:
A romance is focused on the ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE. That's what the book is all about.
A fantasy is focused on a problem in the world (usually good v. evi).
In a romance, the hero/heroine meet soon and often stay together throughout the book. In a book with a romantic subplot, the hero/heroine might meet much later.
In a romance, the primary plot, the romance, is tied up last, i.e. the hero/heroine are falling in love and having ups and downs and are saving the world. The world is saved BEFORE the hero/heroine say "I love you," or the relationship (committment) is resolved.
In fantasy with a romantic subplot the relationship is resolved BEFORE the world is saved.
In an "epic fantasy for women" which is what I call my Luna books. The focus is ON A WOMAN'S GROWTH. She has some need or problem that must be faced/overcome/fulfilled. That is resolved LAST. The romance is ended first/and or the fantasy plot next and the woman's realization of her place in the world/her growth last.
That's technique-wise some ways to differentiate romance, but the first is the best. What is the main thrust of your story about, the theme.
Robin
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