Realism in romance
Mar. 29th, 2010 07:10 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
valarltdSome people like a lot of realism in their romance. Others like a lot of escapism. I'm not sure I really get it. (the default in this article is male because I write same-sex fiction)
I think it depends on the realism. I'm not sure how realistic falling in love is as opposed to coming together out of loneliness and desperation. I think the love part is the biggest fantasy element in romance, really.
And that from someone who writer werewolves and incubi and centaur accountants.
Aside from that part, I try for as much realism as possible, even when I'm writing urban fantasy. My locations are accurate: a werewolf professor lives in a real series of apartment buildings, the lumberyard in Peculiar DID have a wooden fence as last as 85. To me, the place is as much a character in the story as the people. Sean and Gabriel would never work in a small rural town, where cars are necessary, while Seven is clearly a product of just such a town.
My activities, media, slang and vehicles are appropriate to the era. Nick Harper's Dodge Laser has all the benefits and drawbacks of that short-lived vehicle. Gabe may have pictures of rock stars from his mother's era (they may be her posters), but he was hot for 'N Sync. And you try working "absquabulate" into a story without giggling. I even edited Kestrel to include semi-accurate medical care for the period (the ship's carpenter--since the doctor's dead--bleeds a character).
Realism in character is a dicier thing. On the career front, I've done everything from writers and professors to restaurant servers and truck drivers. If it's a job I haven't done or looked into--and believe me, I've had my share of bad or weird jobs--I research it.
Personalities are more difficult. There are all sorts of men who behave in all sorts of ways. Some men are criers. I have one character who does, easily. It's the sole emotional luxury he allows himself. Some are stiff and stoic. Some are butcher than butch while others wear rainbow fairy wings and toss pixie dust (yes, real person). Some only top. Some only bottom. Some switch. Some get emotionally involved with men and physically involved with women. Some people marry after knowing each other three months. Some remain engaged for years. Some get involved in the local GLBT community. Some remain closeted all their lives. And all of these are realistic.
"there are nine and sixty ways of composing tribal lays
...and every single one of them is RIGHT!" --Kipling
The only things that make a character realistic is whether he is believable and true to himself. You don't want Bart Savagewood, who tests fighter jets for the U.S. Navy, catches sharks for fun, and bench presses 290 lbs. And today emergency-landed his jet on a semi full of avocados and didn't squash a one! On the other hand, a character who works in his gray little cubicle, comes home, eats a TV dinner and watches TV until bedtime isn't going to make thrilling story-lines either, unless he has an amazing inner life. Even if he's a vampire (death renders personalities permanent, not improved).
In short, realism is a varied thing. Readers say they want it. Some writers try to give it. But many times, the sheer reality of it interferes with the romance fantasy.
I think it depends on the realism. I'm not sure how realistic falling in love is as opposed to coming together out of loneliness and desperation. I think the love part is the biggest fantasy element in romance, really.
And that from someone who writer werewolves and incubi and centaur accountants.
Aside from that part, I try for as much realism as possible, even when I'm writing urban fantasy. My locations are accurate: a werewolf professor lives in a real series of apartment buildings, the lumberyard in Peculiar DID have a wooden fence as last as 85. To me, the place is as much a character in the story as the people. Sean and Gabriel would never work in a small rural town, where cars are necessary, while Seven is clearly a product of just such a town.
My activities, media, slang and vehicles are appropriate to the era. Nick Harper's Dodge Laser has all the benefits and drawbacks of that short-lived vehicle. Gabe may have pictures of rock stars from his mother's era (they may be her posters), but he was hot for 'N Sync. And you try working "absquabulate" into a story without giggling. I even edited Kestrel to include semi-accurate medical care for the period (the ship's carpenter--since the doctor's dead--bleeds a character).
Realism in character is a dicier thing. On the career front, I've done everything from writers and professors to restaurant servers and truck drivers. If it's a job I haven't done or looked into--and believe me, I've had my share of bad or weird jobs--I research it.
Personalities are more difficult. There are all sorts of men who behave in all sorts of ways. Some men are criers. I have one character who does, easily. It's the sole emotional luxury he allows himself. Some are stiff and stoic. Some are butcher than butch while others wear rainbow fairy wings and toss pixie dust (yes, real person). Some only top. Some only bottom. Some switch. Some get emotionally involved with men and physically involved with women. Some people marry after knowing each other three months. Some remain engaged for years. Some get involved in the local GLBT community. Some remain closeted all their lives. And all of these are realistic.
"there are nine and sixty ways of composing tribal lays
...and every single one of them is RIGHT!" --Kipling
The only things that make a character realistic is whether he is believable and true to himself. You don't want Bart Savagewood, who tests fighter jets for the U.S. Navy, catches sharks for fun, and bench presses 290 lbs. And today emergency-landed his jet on a semi full of avocados and didn't squash a one! On the other hand, a character who works in his gray little cubicle, comes home, eats a TV dinner and watches TV until bedtime isn't going to make thrilling story-lines either, unless he has an amazing inner life. Even if he's a vampire (death renders personalities permanent, not improved).
In short, realism is a varied thing. Readers say they want it. Some writers try to give it. But many times, the sheer reality of it interferes with the romance fantasy.
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-29 01:56 pm (UTC)We all have our 'gray cubicles'- we need to escape them from time to time. That is what good storytelling is all about.
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Date: 2010-03-29 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-30 12:19 am (UTC)