#148. How To Use Universal Fantasy To Write Better Books (& Sell More Copies) With Theodora Taylor
Jun 25, 2024
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Joining the conversation is Theodora Taylor, author of '7 Figure Fiction' and expert in using Universal Fantasy to craft engaging stories. She shares her journey discovering this concept through a Facebook ads class, which boosted her book sales. Theodora delves into how Universal Fantasies connect readers to beloved tales like 'Cinderella' and 'Beauty and the Beast,' and explains their role in making characters relatable and narratives richer. She also offers tips for writing compelling back cover copy that resonates with audiences.
Understanding 'universal fantasy' helps writers create relatable characters, enhancing emotional connections and reader engagement in their stories.
Incorporating universally appealing elements into marketing strategies allows authors to effectively attract readers and communicate the emotional stakes of their narratives.
Deep dives
The Importance of Universal Fantasy in Storytelling
Universal fantasy plays a crucial role in engaging readers by making characters relatable and special. This concept allows readers to see themselves in the characters' journeys, enhancing the overall enjoyment of a story. Theodora Taylor explains that universal fantasy can transform a simple narrative into one that resonates deeply with audiences, motivating them to connect with the characters' emotions and experiences. By understanding and identifying these universal elements, writers can craft stories that captivate and hold the reader's attention.
The Role of Butter in Writing
Adding 'butter' to writing refers to the enhancement of stories with universally appealing elements that make the narrative richer and more enjoyable. This metaphor draws parallels to cooking, where butter improves the flavor of dishes, suggesting that stories similarly benefit from added depth and dimension. Theodora emphasizes that writers should recognize and intentionally incorporate these elements, ensuring that their stories evoke the emotional responses they aim to create. By understanding what constitutes 'butter' in their work, authors can make their narratives more enticing and memorable.
Strategies for Identifying Universal Fantasies
Writers can identify the universal fantasies in their work by analyzing the elements that resonate with them in other authors’ stories. Theodora suggests maintaining a record of what specific aspects make any story enjoyable or engaging, whether it’s a character's journey or a particular plot twist. By cataloging these elements, writers can apply similar strategies in their narrative, increasing their chances of connecting with readers. This process encourages writers to both embrace the emotional hooks in their writing and refine their understanding of what captivates their audience.
Effective Use of Universal Fantasy in Marketing
Incorporating universal fantasies into marketing strategies, such as book blurbs and advertisements, is essential for attracting potential readers. Theodora highlights the significance of clearly communicating the emotional stakes and enticing elements of a story in promotional materials. This approach not only helps in standing out in a crowded market but also sets appropriate expectations for readers about the journey they will experience. By focusing on what makes their stories unique and appealing, writers can effectively leverage universal fantasies to increase interest and sales.
“Never wonder if readers will love your story again.” This is exactly what Theodora Taylor teaches you how to do in her book 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE.
Despite writing fiction in a niche genre (interracial romance), Theodora Taylor has grown a fanbase of rabid readers and fans through the power of something she calls Universal Fantasy—aka “the ingredients you need to write DELICIOUS stories!”
In this episode, Theodora Taylor shares how she discovered Universal Fantasy, and how she uses it to codify what works (or doesn’t work) in her own writing. She gives examples from popular books and movies, and even shares how you can use Universal Fantasy in your back cover copy, query letters, and more.
In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:
[04:52] How Theodora discovered Universal Fantasy in a Facebook ads class—and how this immediately resulted in an increase in book sales
[09:05] How Universal Fantasy can be the missing link between your book and the right kind of readers who will love it just as much as you do
[13:33] An example of a Universal Fantasy from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (and also how this relates to the fixer-upper trope)
[16:33] What Cinderella, Harry Potter, and Mark Watney have in common (spoiler alert: they’re all the same Universal Fantasy: the Suffering Cinderella!)
[20:05] How Universal Fantasy can help you “butter up” your settings, characters, and dialogue—and write the most DELICIOUS stories possible
[35:12] How Universal Fantasy can help you write your back cover copy, find accurate comp titles, and write query letters that agents will love
If you’ve ever wondered how some books feel like they’re made with magic (or some kind of special secret sauce), you’re going to love this episode with Theodora Taylor!
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