Given my recent newsletters, it probably won't surprise you that I'm bringing up romantasy. I've been binge-listening to the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, and coincidentally, I've also started to notice a bunch of articles about the growing popularity of the romance and fantasy genre. Maybe it's just confirmation bias, but these articles have been popping up in newsletters I've subscribed to for months now. I haven't gone looking for them, OKAY? I've also noticed more friends openly discussing their love for romance novels, which have been labeled as "chick lit" for too long. I guess anyone identifying as male couldn't possibly be interested in romance. I digress. Now, ,all of that seems to be changing. I think that the emergence of romantasy novels has played a significant role in this shift. While A Court of Thorns and Roses offers great romance and intimacy, it also presents a beautifully constructed world with its own rules, politics, and multidimensional characters, rather than flat, stereotypical archetypes.
Romantasy presents a distinct blend of escapism and empowerment, especially for individuals. These stories are rooted in worlds brimming with magic, mythical creatures, and epic adventures, providing a sanctuary where readers can temporarily step away from the mundane or difficult parts of their daily lives. They allow us to explore our desires, dreams, and strengths.
Escapism in Romantasy
Romantasy, at its essence, provides a deep escape from the ordinary. This genre whisks readers away to enchanted worlds—whether they are magical kingdoms, time-travel adventures, or clandestine societies of supernatural beings. By diving into these settings, we can experience a sense of freedom that might be hard to achieve in our daily lives due to resources or societal pressures. In these alternate realities, the weight of everyday responsibilities and societal norms is lifted, offering opportunities for adventure, romantic experiences, and self-discovery. As we journey through these fantastical realms, it's often the strong, complex female protagonists who lead the way, guiding us through tales of bravery, love, and self-discovery.
In these stories, more often than not, the female protagonists are portrayed as multidimensional characters with significant agency. They are warriors, sorceresses, queens, and leaders who navigate their worlds with strength, intelligence, and resilience. These characters challenge traditional gender roles and societal expectations, inspiring readers to question their own limitations and societal norms. They make mistakes and, in well-written stories, grow from the chaos or loss they may have caused. I've always found myself more drawn to the imperfect heroine, the one who can be downright annoying on her path to self-discovery. I don't know about you, but I've certainly been a major pain in the ass on the road to discovering that I know a whole lot less than I think I do.
For many women, this form of escapism is more than just a distraction—it's a form of mental and emotional relief. Whether through the pages of a romantasy novel or the scenes of a fantastical film, women can envision themselves as heroines, confronting challenges that demand courage, wit, and resilience. These stories offer an escape from the demands for perfection and the restrictive roles they might feel trapped in. The triumphs of these heroines, whether in battle or love, are victories that readers can vicariously experience, reinforcing the notion that they too can overcome obstacles in their own lives.
Empowerment & Connection
Storytelling is a powerful tool that allows us to take control of our own narrative and find solace in shared experiences. Regardless of how social we are, there's always a part of ourselves we hesitate to share, fearing it might be misunderstood or judged. Expressing our emotions isn't easy, especially since emotions aren't always logical. They often emerge unexpectedly, their reason for being there long forgotten. For me, that's exactly how it feels. More than once, a single line in a book has sparked an understanding—sometimes revealing the root of my emotions, giving meaning to them, or simply showing me that someone else has experienced what I couldn't put into words. When I write scripts, it's a way for me to process fears, grief, or feelings of powerlessness. Recently, I shared my script Mary & Adam with someone, and she began to cry. She told me how the story mirrored her own experiences, particularly how the depiction of the single mother resonated with her past as a young single mother. I wrote that script to confront a deep-seated fear, but knowing it meant something to someone else is one of the greatest gifts I've received this year.
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