I am very intrigued by the Little Mermaid example. It is my favorite Disney movie! In a way, being able to analyze it from the UF point of view seems like an analysis of my own perception. Now it makes sense why I might have enjoyed it so much growing up
when I sat down to analyze it, I wasn't sure what I'd get because it's not obvious on the surface, but you're totally right-- it's an analysis of our own perception and experience.
The book does a fantastic job of analyzing Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, too!
It will be interesting to check out the book as I'm intrigued now!
Off topic, but I just remembered about an Emily in Paris event! If you're enjoying the show, then you might like the Couture on Tour they are planning! This summer they are coming to multiple cities with an immersive experience. Not sure what exactly they plan, but I'm curious myself to find out! Just in case, here is the link (please delete this if not allowed to post)
Agreed! The book impacted me in layers. First, I realized why I like some of the... ahem... questionable things I like. Second, it allowed me to understand why other people liked it too. Now, I'm figuring out how to write those UFs for my readers which is... not as easy as the first two. Haha.
Analyzing and realizing is a great first leap! Putting into practice is always the challenging part. Best of luck in writing the UFs into your own book!!!
The link to the book that inspired you is missing from the Fact Check section! (I'm dying to read it, this is such an interesting take on tropes!) Or is it the butter book that you mentioned earlier in the text?
Another amazing episode with so much food for thought. Is there any chance you could go into more on the vacuums in another episode? I felt like that was something I want to think about more.
Listening to this episode I had a sudden revelation about my own writing. Not on purpose necessarily- I tend to subvert or invert buttery relationship tropes as part of my arcs. Like my MC in one story who is trying to win the celebrities affection but actually ends up realising he can't fix her insecurities. I'm curious if this unconscious choice might be working against me- or if there are ways to enjoy the butter but still have characters who learn to make better choices? 🤣
I’m actually guilty of the same while drafting— having the morally correct or healthy choice be so obvious, it’s butter-free and not at all tempting, lol. For example- in Revelle, Dewey was much older and unattractive in earlier drafts because he was not the right choice for Luxe. But my PW mentor passed along feedback from her agent, which was to make everyone hot in YA. Especially the bad guys 😂. When I made him more appealing, Luxe suddenly had two buttery options in front of her, and it takes her time and agency to make the healthy choice.
All of this to say: I think you can still add plenty of butter and lean into the UFs that taste good while also having your characters make good choices (as long as those are yummy, too!)
But I would challenge you: why are you subverting tropes? Whats guiding that decision?
These questions and thoughts have been so illuminating! It's helped me with a breakthrough for one story and plenty of food for thought for others. Thank you!
Echoing what Lyssa said because I've been struggling with a book where the MC is not a great person as a result of tragic things in her life. At first, it wasn't fun to write AT ALL. Thanks to Lyssa, I know no she's in a nurture vacuum. What better butter to add to this than a golden retriever of a hot boy in town who agrees to help her (Obsessed Prince/Sixteen Candles). Now I'm leaning into an almost reverse Beauty and the Beast dynamic where the FMC is the beast (Wounded MC needs love/care) and the MMC is Belle????
It made something click for me to see the dynamics that way. Now I have all these little fun scenes to write between them.
Thank you for the id List Notebook giveaway!!!
I am very intrigued by the Little Mermaid example. It is my favorite Disney movie! In a way, being able to analyze it from the UF point of view seems like an analysis of my own perception. Now it makes sense why I might have enjoyed it so much growing up
when I sat down to analyze it, I wasn't sure what I'd get because it's not obvious on the surface, but you're totally right-- it's an analysis of our own perception and experience.
The book does a fantastic job of analyzing Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, too!
It will be interesting to check out the book as I'm intrigued now!
Off topic, but I just remembered about an Emily in Paris event! If you're enjoying the show, then you might like the Couture on Tour they are planning! This summer they are coming to multiple cities with an immersive experience. Not sure what exactly they plan, but I'm curious myself to find out! Just in case, here is the link (please delete this if not allowed to post)
https://www.coutureontour.com/emilyinparis/
oh how fun! Thank you!
Agreed! The book impacted me in layers. First, I realized why I like some of the... ahem... questionable things I like. Second, it allowed me to understand why other people liked it too. Now, I'm figuring out how to write those UFs for my readers which is... not as easy as the first two. Haha.
Analyzing and realizing is a great first leap! Putting into practice is always the challenging part. Best of luck in writing the UFs into your own book!!!
The link to the book that inspired you is missing from the Fact Check section! (I'm dying to read it, this is such an interesting take on tropes!) Or is it the butter book that you mentioned earlier in the text?
Oops! Fixing that now, but it's 7 Figure Fiction, which is available on Amazon. And yes, it's the butter book!
Another amazing episode with so much food for thought. Is there any chance you could go into more on the vacuums in another episode? I felt like that was something I want to think about more.
Listening to this episode I had a sudden revelation about my own writing. Not on purpose necessarily- I tend to subvert or invert buttery relationship tropes as part of my arcs. Like my MC in one story who is trying to win the celebrities affection but actually ends up realising he can't fix her insecurities. I'm curious if this unconscious choice might be working against me- or if there are ways to enjoy the butter but still have characters who learn to make better choices? 🤣
I’m actually guilty of the same while drafting— having the morally correct or healthy choice be so obvious, it’s butter-free and not at all tempting, lol. For example- in Revelle, Dewey was much older and unattractive in earlier drafts because he was not the right choice for Luxe. But my PW mentor passed along feedback from her agent, which was to make everyone hot in YA. Especially the bad guys 😂. When I made him more appealing, Luxe suddenly had two buttery options in front of her, and it takes her time and agency to make the healthy choice.
All of this to say: I think you can still add plenty of butter and lean into the UFs that taste good while also having your characters make good choices (as long as those are yummy, too!)
But I would challenge you: why are you subverting tropes? Whats guiding that decision?
These questions and thoughts have been so illuminating! It's helped me with a breakthrough for one story and plenty of food for thought for others. Thank you!
Echoing what Lyssa said because I've been struggling with a book where the MC is not a great person as a result of tragic things in her life. At first, it wasn't fun to write AT ALL. Thanks to Lyssa, I know no she's in a nurture vacuum. What better butter to add to this than a golden retriever of a hot boy in town who agrees to help her (Obsessed Prince/Sixteen Candles). Now I'm leaning into an almost reverse Beauty and the Beast dynamic where the FMC is the beast (Wounded MC needs love/care) and the MMC is Belle????
It made something click for me to see the dynamics that way. Now I have all these little fun scenes to write between them.
WHAT??! Give this to me!
Haha. It's such a bby idea. Soon!
I second this!
So much to think about! Loved the whole episode, but especially the part when Lyssa quietly, wistfully says "Charlie."