NPR's Book of the Day Rebecca Yarros on literary tropes, writing through chronic illness and 'Fourth Wing'
Oct 26, 2024
Rebecca Yarros, bestselling author of the 'Empyrean' series, shares her journey of weaving enemies-to-lovers plots in 'Fourth Wing.' She reflects on the romantic fantasy genre, its tropes, and the escapism it provides, especially for women. Yarros candidly discusses her chronic illness and the impact it has on her creativity, highlighting mental health's importance. Delving into personal themes, she reveals how her husband's military background shapes her narratives, addressing the emotional toll of war and the significance of representation in her storytelling.
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Romantasy's Rise
- Romantasy's popularity comes from escapism and the enduring appeal of romance.
- Women drive much of the publishing market, making romance's success unsurprising.
Early Reading Influences
- Yarros grew up reading fantasy, starting with Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series.
- She loved fantasy's escapism and romance's happy endings, blending both in her writing.
Dragons and War Colleges
- Emily Kwong confesses she hadn't read dragon novels before Fourth Wing.
- Yarros' book, set in a war college amidst a 400-year war, changed her mind.