Q&A with Linda Poitevin discussion

It used to be that urban fantasy was considered to be a spin-off from paranormal romance...and some readers still think that way. But with authors like Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Charles de Lint, and Thomas Sniegoski also writing in it, I think urban fantasy has evolved into a strong, unique genre in its own right. Opinions?

Hi everyone! And thank you for having invited me to join the group. As far as I’m concerned, the urban fantasy is a literary genre derived from fantasy, a sub-genre defined by place, as the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. I never saw it as a spin-off from paranormal romance, even if it can effectively include a part of paranormal romance. But it’s not compulsory. Well, I think.
These novels take place in our contemporary world but with some “little” differences: the magical creatures are real, the magic exists and is effective. Werewolves, vampires, devils, fairies, witches, etc, all these creatures mix, in the middle of human beings. Indeed, urban fantasy shows supernatural, creatures living in our usual urban world. So, on one hand, we observe intervention of supernatural phenomenon in our "normal" human lives. And on the other hand, supernatural phenomenon are finally accepted as part of the normality and are any more a subject of doubt.
In France, a large part of urban fantasy is called "bit-lit" (from bite and literature), a wink to another literary genre: "chick-lit". And those novels are in fact a mix of urban fantasy and chick-lit. They show heroines fighting monsters with besides concerns of the everyday life. It’s not rare that the heroine is herself a supernatural character.
And, please, excuse my English, it's not easy for me to write in English, because it's not my mother language. :)

Urban fantasy does seem to take a little bit from different genres, imo. You have the romance element (in a lot of UF but not all).. elements of horror, mystery, and even *epic* fantasy. I like all those blended together. I get everything I like in one book.. And the above mentioned authors do it very very well.

Chris wrote: "There seem to be new sub-genres cropping up all the time. Urban fantasy and contemporary fantasy seem to have a lot in common. My current WIP comes under the latter flag (I think) but it does hav..."

It's true, Chris, there do seem to be new genres cropping up all the time. It's a wonder book stores can keep them straight! You're right about UF and CF being closely related, but I think supernatural/paranormal elements place a book in the UF category for most readers.

Sklaerenn wrote: "Hi everyone! And thank you for having invited me to join the group. As far as I’m concerned, the urban fantasy is a literary genre derived from fantasy, a sub-genre defined by place, as the fantast..."

I very much like your description of UF, Sklaerenn, and totally agree with it. And I love your bit of trivia about France -- I think many UF novels fit the "bit-lit" theme. As for your English, c'est beaucoup mieux que mon francais! ;)

Readsalot81 wrote: "Urban fantasy does seem to take a little bit from different genres, imo. You have the romance element (in a lot of UF but not all).. elements of horror, mystery, and even *epic* fantasy. I like all..."

That is definitely a perk for me, too. I'm more about finding a great book than sticking with any particular genre, so I love how many UF books blur those lines. :)

There are many definitions of Urban Fantasy. Being a fan as well as a writer of the genre, it’s very fascinating and anything is really possible. It’s obviously a sub-genre of Fantasy; however, I have read what makes the “urban” side is setting in an urban environment. This can mean urban neighborhoods or towns. I have also found that multicultural themes and characters are common in the urban fantasy genre, which makes it all the more mystic and endless.

Elizabeth wrote: "There are many definitions of Urban Fantasy. Being a fan as well as a writer of the genre, it’s very fascinating and anything is really possible. It’s obviously a sub-genre of Fantasy; however, I h..."

I think that's what I love most about UF, Elizabeth...the idea that just about anything is possible. It opens the doors to imagination very wide indeed. :)

Linda wrote: "I very much like your description of UF, Sklaerenn, and totally agree with it. And I love your bit of trivia about France -- I think many UF novels fit the "bit-lit" theme. As for your English, c'est beaucoup mieux que mon francais! ;)"
Thank you! :) Yes, I agree, a lot of UF novels fit the bit-lit theme, I've got many examples in head. ;) And I totally agree with Elizabeth and Readsalot81: UF is a very open genre, and everything seems possible in the UF novels. I particularly like this reflexion (Elizabeth) : "multicultural themes and characters are common in the urban fantasy genre, which makes it all the more mystic and endless." It's so true!! And as a fan UF reader and author too, that's what suits me the most.
Et bravo pour votre francais, Linda. ;)
Have a nice day, everyone!

Sklaerenn wrote: "Linda wrote: "I very much like your description of UF, Sklaerenn, and totally agree with it. And I love your bit of trivia about France -- I think many UF novels fit the "bit-lit" theme. As for you..."

Sklaerenn wrote: "Hi everyone! And thank you for having invited me to join the group. As far as I’m concerned, the urban fantasy is a literary genre derived from fantasy, a sub-genre defined by place, as the fantast..."

I really appreciate your comment of my reflection, Sklaerenn. I also agree that urban fantasy is set in the contemporary world with “little differences.” The world beneath the world quality of the genre seems to add that extra sense of drama to the plot. In some novels the fantasy elements are hidden beneath the world as we know it. This creates a brooding conflict that threatens the hero/heroine in addition to their ultimate journey. In other novels the fantasy elements are “mainstreamed” into the human world. The conflict in these novels are the lie in the protagonist’s confinement to the rules and norms of the human world, and constantly suppressing their animalistic nature or powers. The reader is always awaiting the moment that the hero/heroine will finally succumb to their less glamorous instincts, or be exposed.

Elizabeth wrote: "Sklaerenn wrote: "Linda wrote: "I very much like your description of UF, Sklaerenn, and totally agree with it. And I love your bit of trivia about France -- I think many UF novels fit the "bit-lit"..."
Oh, Elizabeth, I love that: "the world beneath the world quality of the genre" captures the essence of UF perfectly!

My understanding between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal fantasy is that they are both sub-genre to Fantasy, but Urban Fantasy is about the time and the place. Urban setting, even a steam-punk era could fit, as long as it is in the confines of an Urban area landscape. Think downtown New York, or any other big major city with dark alleyways, skyscrapers and such. Also it seems that fairies seem to abound more in the urban fantasy world (also witches and sorcery in general) than in paranormal. Paranormal fantasy would be the vampires, werewolves or shifters, magical beings set in any time or place. Including steam punk and futuristic. I am an avid reader of both forms and to me Urban is darker, gritter, more in your face about things. At least that is what I've come across.

Many of us live or have lived in cities, and fantasy is what keeps us sane.

I don't think I can add to this discussion much, since everyone seems to have nailed it. I write PNR/UF in part, because I love the genre, but also because I can take it as far as I want to. There aren't much in the way of limitations, so you're allowed to stretch the wings of your imagination, and fly where you will.

I love to read many other genres but I couldn't see myself writing in them because they have more rules. I also find that many Indie authors have difficulty pigeonholing their work into one genre or sub genre. There are more works that could be considered hybrids, which I think is a good thing. It simply adds to the possibilities, and they say variety is the spice of life.

The breadth of possibility really is the beauty of UF, isn't it? Pretty much anything is possible if you can imagine it and convince your readers to suspend their disbelief. And I think that because it's a relatively new genre, it's still very much open to being stretched even further. So many 'what ifs'... ;)

What pushed you to write UF books/series? What is it that you like best in the UF genre that you just had to write it?

Sonia.cristina wrote: "What pushed you to write UF books/series? What is it that you like best in the UF genre that you just had to write it?"

I truly believe that with urban fantasy when there’s a will, there’s a way (not original, I’ll admit). With this genre, like Linda says, there are so many “what-ifs” these two words side by side are a complete barricade breaker! They’re a wrecking ball to any “rules” that have been set by literature before. You can take something as old and classic as Greek Mythology, for example (my approach) and put a totally new spin on things with the “what if” factor of the genre. With urban fantasy it’s your world, your rules.

Elizabeth wrote: there are so many “what-ifs” these two words side by side are a complete barricade breaker! They’re a wrecking ball to any “rules” that have been set by literature before.

Sonia, I think Elizabeth nails it with her explanation. The possibilities in UF are as boundless as one's imagination -- and when that imagination tends toward supernatural/mythological creatures, one needs those boundless possibilities! I would add that for me, the challenge lies in weaving together the real (today's world) with the unreal (the supernatural aspects) in a believable story. SO much fun!. :)