I have to admit, I've bought the book but I haven't read it yet. This might be covered, but it's also what's keeping me from reading:
The term universal fantasy is just not working for me. Because a lot of the mentioned fantasies are not only not my fantasy but are actively on my Ick List.
Different strokes and all that, but I not only find these things unappealing intellectually but emotionally as well. A kidnapper hero? No thanks, he sounds like a jerk. I can get the intellectual appeal (obsession) and if I imagine Mike Cotler playing him as Lemond Bishop, I can actually feel the appeal for five minutes, but beyond the erm, short term uses of the fantasy, I can't get into it. And I do write sexy books but I don't write porn (or even erotica) so I can't really use that as a way into my books.
On the other end of the nice spectrum, I also tune out the Ted Lasso scenes where Ted is convincing everyone to believe. There are other things I like about the show (Rebecca as a HBIC I want to be) but that isn't one of them. And I'm well aware a lot of my "universal fantasies" are actively not aligned with my genre (see Rebecca as HBIC).
Totally see where you're coming from. It finally occurred to me that it wasn't "universal" as in every. single. person. adores the fantasy. But "universal" as in, *most* people love the fantasy. Perhaps "best-selling fantasy" might work for you?
I just recently finished the book myself. At the end of the book, Taylor instructs us to come up with our own UF list; I'm thinking of mine more along the lines of an "id list". Some of my own entries aren't necessarily "best-sellers" in the market right now (beta heroes vs alphaholes). But if I focus on writing and marketing my book with those fantasies upfront, people who are looking for them will hopefully gobble them up.
I hope this helps you. I think responding has helped me.
A Dream Boss who will make your cynical heart BELIEVE….Ted Lasso (Apple TV)
A New Bestie (or two) who’s down to live out a true-crime podcast fantasy with you….Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
OR
A Best Friend Mr. Right you should be with instead of Your Current Boyfriend Mr. Wrong…. The Office (Peacock)
I have to admit, I've bought the book but I haven't read it yet. This might be covered, but it's also what's keeping me from reading:
The term universal fantasy is just not working for me. Because a lot of the mentioned fantasies are not only not my fantasy but are actively on my Ick List.
Different strokes and all that, but I not only find these things unappealing intellectually but emotionally as well. A kidnapper hero? No thanks, he sounds like a jerk. I can get the intellectual appeal (obsession) and if I imagine Mike Cotler playing him as Lemond Bishop, I can actually feel the appeal for five minutes, but beyond the erm, short term uses of the fantasy, I can't get into it. And I do write sexy books but I don't write porn (or even erotica) so I can't really use that as a way into my books.
On the other end of the nice spectrum, I also tune out the Ted Lasso scenes where Ted is convincing everyone to believe. There are other things I like about the show (Rebecca as a HBIC I want to be) but that isn't one of them. And I'm well aware a lot of my "universal fantasies" are actively not aligned with my genre (see Rebecca as HBIC).
Totally see where you're coming from. It finally occurred to me that it wasn't "universal" as in every. single. person. adores the fantasy. But "universal" as in, *most* people love the fantasy. Perhaps "best-selling fantasy" might work for you?
I just recently finished the book myself. At the end of the book, Taylor instructs us to come up with our own UF list; I'm thinking of mine more along the lines of an "id list". Some of my own entries aren't necessarily "best-sellers" in the market right now (beta heroes vs alphaholes). But if I focus on writing and marketing my book with those fantasies upfront, people who are looking for them will hopefully gobble them up.
I hope this helps you. I think responding has helped me.