Dive into the enchanting world of romance literature with Anne Bogel's podcast, "What Should I Read Next?" as she hosts Farrah Rashan, an author who shares her journey from reviving her passion for reading with "The Pelican Brief" to penning her own romance novels. Rashan explores the dynamic evolution of the romance genre, reflecting on the influential works of historical romance authors and discussing the pivotal role these narratives play in providing a comforting escape with their assured happy endings.
Rashan provides a behind-the-scenes look at her transition to writing heartfelt romance, discussing the comprehensive tools that assist her creative process while emphasizing the significance of authentic voice and character development. The episode also delves into the influence of social media on reader engagement, the art of bringing settings to life in storytelling, and the profound impact of Disney on both Rashan's creative endeavors and personal life, revealing the magic that influences her writing and her dedication to inspiring readers just as she was once inspired.
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Farrah Rashan recounts her experience with "The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham, which reignited her love for reading during her teenage years. The New Orleans setting and her cousin's engrossment in the book reminded her of the joy books could bring. Farrah hopes that her own writing can inspire a similar passion for reading in others, as Grisham's work did for her.
The romance genre has evolved from portraying outdated gender dynamics to reflecting contemporary social norms. Farrah finds value in historical romance authors like Judith McNaught, viewing their work as a window into the evolution of societal attitudes towards gender and romance.
Farrah and Rashan stress the importance of romance novels in offering escapism and emotional assurance to readers, with happy endings delivering solace and a sense of hope during challenging times. They believe the genre helps to reassure readers that no matter the obstacles, love and joy can prevail.
Farrah Rashan shares her transition from aspiring to write like John Grisham to finding joy in the romance genre. She emphasizes the value of plotting tools like Blake Snyder's Save the Cat and Gwen Hayes' Romancing the Beat in crafting her stories. Farrah also highlights the importance of finding and trusting one's unique writing voice and creating characters that resonate authentically with readers.
Farrah acknowledges the power of TikTok in reviving interest in older romance books and driving them onto bestseller lists. Engagement with readers through social media platforms, particularly TikTok, has become crucial for authors to promote their books and develop their personal brands.
Farrah Rashan, alongside Kennedy Ryan and Abby M&S, are recognized for their ability to make settings come alive, effectively transporting readers and even inspiring them to visit the featured locations. Vividly describing cities, integrating travel experiences into narratives, and using settings as a central element defines their approach to writing.
Farrah's lifelong Disney fandom has significantly influenced her creative process and writing. It led to her contribution to the Twisted Tales series with "Fate Be Changed" and nurtured her productivity, as she writes at Disney resorts and rewards herself with park visits. Her love for Disney permeates her work routine and recreational reading.
1-Page Summary
Farrah Rashan eloquently captures the essence of finding a book that can spark a lifetime passion for reading. Through her personal experience with "The Pelican Brief," she highlights how a single story can profoundly impact one's literary journey.
Farrah Rashan's rediscovery of her love for reading was serendipitous. As a self-professed romance snob, her typical reading choices did not include the genre. It wasn't until her sister introduced her to Laverne Spencer that she ventured into romance books. But it was John Grisham's "The Pelican Brief" that truly rekindled her romance with reading during her teenage years. The familiar New Orleans setting, complete with recognizable landmarks such as the Riverwalk, brought the story to life for Farrah, contributing significantly to her reinvigorated interest in books.
The experience of finding Grisham's book in a library and seeing her cousin completely absorbed by it reminded Farrah of the pure joy reading could provide—an activity the allure of video games had pulled her away from.
The gratitude Farrah feels towards Grisha ...
The power of a book to reignite a love of reading
The romance genre has undergone significant changes over time, with its earliest offerings reflecting much different gender dynamics than those found in contemporary works.
In the beginning stages of the romance genre, novels often portrayed gender roles and dynamics that are now considered outdated. The presentation of relationships and interactions between characters reflected the social norms and expectations of eras gone by, necessitating a degree of context when revisiting them today.
Despite the outdated gender dynamics found in early romance novels, enthusiasts like Farrah recognize the importance of revisiting classic authors such as Judith McNaught. By refle ...
Historical context of the romance genre's evolution
Farrah and Rashan offer insights into the pivotal role that the romance genre plays in providing comfort and escapism for its readers, particularly during difficult times.
Farrah describes the romance genre as a happy place and an escape, which is what inspired her to start writing romance novels. She finds value in the positive and uplifting nature of the genre, which serves as a haven for many readers seeking solace and a temporary break from the realities of their lives.
Rashan echoes Farrah's sentiments by emphasizing the significance of the guaranteed happy ending in romance stories. She acknowledges that she puts her characters through various challenges, believing that it makes them more interesting and relatable. The journey and growth of the characters often culminate in a rewarding and joyful conclusion.
Both Farrah and Rashan highlight the comfort and assuranc ...
The Importance of Happy Endings in Romance
Farrah Rashan takes us through her personal journey from writing in the style of John Grisham to finding her niche in the vibrant world of romance novels.
Though the early part of her career found her emulating the tone of more serious novelists, Rashan soon discovered that writing romance was much more enjoyable for her. Rashan specifically discusses her use of Blake Snyder's Save the Cat for plotting her romance novels, revealing her dedication to the structural elements that readers anticipate in romance stories. Additionally, she relies on Gwen Hayes' Romancing the Beat to understand the high points required in a successful romance narrative. Through these resources, Rashan ensures that she meets the expectations of her readers while also keeping her stories fresh and engaging.
Rashan's approach to plotting is described as organic, letting her choose the structure that best fits the developing story. She understands the crucial balance between adhering to the conventions of the genre and innovating to make each tale unique.
After years of writing and over 40 published books, Farrah Rashan expresses how vital it is to find and trust one's unique writing style. Early on, she attempted to emulate the voices ...
Behind the scenes of writing "frothy" romance stories
Social media, and TikTok in particular, has dramatically reshaped the romance industry in recent years, leading to a renewed interest in older titles and necessitating author engagement with the platform.
Farrah, an author, acknowledges the significant impact of TikTok on the romance industry, highlighting its unique ability to revitalize interest in older romance titles. She points out that due to TikTok's influence, books that have been off the shelves for 15 years are reappearing on bestseller lists.
Farrah emphasizes the importance of an author's presence on soc ...
Social media's influence on the romance industry
Farrah Rashan, Kennedy Ryan, and Abby M&S are authors who masterfully use setting as a central element in their writing, effectively transporting readers to various locations and encouraging them to explore these places in reality.
Farrah Rashan emphasizes the role of setting in her storytelling, likening it to another character that breathes life into her books. She believes in writing rich descriptions to create vivid images for readers, thereby adding atmosphere to her narratives. This method of writing allows Rashan to set her novels in vividly rendered cities such as New Orleans, New York, Austin, Rome, and Istanbul to enrich the reader's experience.
Rashan reveals that she integrates her travel experiences into her writing. Although not everything she encounters during her travels makes it directly into her books, she feels these experiences nonetheless contribute to the quality of her work. Moreover, she enjoys the change of environment that working in hotels and resorts offers when she writes while traveling.
Rashan hopes that the locations she brings to life through her words will inspire readers to visit these destinations. She talks about the allure of New Orleans beyond the French Quarter, highlighting the Garden District and the experience of taking the St. Cha ...
Bringing settings to life in books
Farrah Rashan shares with Anne Bogel her deep-seated love for Disney, which she tells has become a significant part of her life and work, particularly influencing her writing and daily routine.
Farrah's fandom extends beyond mere enjoyment; it has inspired her work. She penned a Twisted Tales novel, "Fate Be Changed," which reflects a unique marriage between Disney's "Brave" and "Back to the Future." Farrah was actively interested in marrying her love for Disney and romance writing, which, although initially her proposals were rejected, eventually translated into a young adult series opportunity for "The Princess and the Frog."
As a longtime fan, Farrah takes her Disney experiences to heart, illustrating that by becoming a Disney Vacation Club member. This not only facilitates her frequent visits but also allows her to embrace the magical ambience of Disney resorts as creative spaces. Farrah has cultivated a writing rout ...
Disney's major impact on Farrah's life and writing
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