You're probably here because you're a fan of romance. But in making that claim, what are you really saying? There are so many types of romance now that the word, used alone, is somewhat vague. I mean, there's contemporary, historical, urban, erotic, dark, fantasy... the list goes on and on. If you've read my work, you know that I primarily write urban romance and dark romance. So, you won't be surprised that this post delves into the meanings of the genres. There are so many conversations about what urban and dark romance are and what they are not. When it comes to urban fiction, people typically expect stories that are based in the hood about people from the hood and things they go through. But urban romance can be many things.
Google defines urban romance as a story that is set in a city landscape that reflects the character's socio-economic cultures and their realities, and these stories typically have darker backgrounds. By this definition, all the books I write would be included in this genre for the most part. It was recently brought to my attention that when you Google Urban Romance, Demon’s Dream is one of many books that pops up. To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. I have seen all the continued love for Demon’s Dream, but I still cannot manage to wrap my head around the impact it has had. I say all this to say that I have some insight into urban romance, and it is much deeper than the description that Google provided. Urban romance centers our stories. It highlights the stories of how we grow, how we learn to love, and how we learn the ways we want to be loved. Urban romance is about the beautiful friendships that we cultivate throughout our lives that sometimes turn into family when the one that we were born into show they do not want to be a part of our lives. Urban romance is realistic, and while fiction, is based in truth and real-life experiences. While the author may not have been writing a story about real people, the situations that they go through are real and have happened to someone. This is not to say that urban romance, as it currently exists, encompasses every life and experience of African Americans. But the kinds of stories it showcases are worth telling.
Now, let’s get into dark romance, another genre with which I am intimately familiar. I was recently asked by someone what I thought the key elements to dark romance are—in other words what makes dark romance dark? When posed this question, I was momentarily stumped. The more I thought about it the easier it became for me to put into words what dark romance is and this is what I came up with: "Dark romance contains themes that often center pain or trauma or violence. The characters may have less than above-board ways of life. Relationships don’t always begin in a happy ‘meet cute’ manner. There might be reluctance, resentment, or turmoil. There’s some types of adversity, but it is steadily weakened by a chemistry that can't be denied even as the characters go back and forth. Partners in the relationship may realize surprising things about themselves (a standard is a strong woman who realizes she likes to be dominated, for example). There may be internal conflict ( ‘Why am I attracted to this morally gray man?’/‘Why am I bending for this infuriating woman?’ etc). There is typically a backdrop of danger/violence or some sort of unhappiness. And almost always, there are forces arrayed against the couple." While I do feel this hits on a lot of the key points, I am sure there are some elements that I am missing. Each author has their own way of making things just the way they want them to be which could include some, all, or even none of the elements I mentioned, and it can still be dark romance.
I have told you what I believe these two genres are and what they encompass, so of course you know I want to know what you think down below in the comments. I would also love to know what kind of things y’all would be interested in for tiers on my Patreon that is coming soon!! Y’all have been so supportive over these last few years, and I want to do something to show my appreciation. Let me know how I can do that. Before you get too excited, no, there will not be a part two for Demon’s Dream, but there may be an audiobook in the future. Aside from those things, let me know what you all want, and as always…
Blissful Reading!
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