#Cosys

[jun-hug]

cosy ˖˚⊹

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[lazylittledragon]

some domestic shadowlachs <33

[christmasxmas]

[thehobbitchronicles]

books made of magic, fairytales, poems and love

[bookcub]

Cozy Fantasy and Why It Doesn't Work

I think I am among many who feel like they should love cozy fantasy and have found it an incredibly lacking genre.

This newly branded "cozy fantasy" genre that has taken readers by storm since 2020 and while it is new that books are now marketed as cozy, the genre itself isn't new. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a great example of the genre before it was labeled and also how to make it work.

Cozy fantasy is defined by many as fantasy with low stakes. Fantasy aesthetic but less sword fights. On paper, it sounds great. But the execution has been less than stellar for readers like me. The lack of physical stakes has also impacted the emotional stakes of these books, creating forgettable characters with boring problems. As a romance reader, I find this frustrating. Romance is known for being a predictable and formulaic genre, the now defunct Romance Writers of America defined romances as needing happy endings, a term romances have continued to follow. Yet these romance texts manage to have low physical stakes (how to date your neighbor, how to confront your toxic friends, etc) while still maintaining high personal stakes that keep readers invested and begging for more. So I was initially confused why cozy fantasy authors struggle to write texts that connect to readers like me.

I think I have found the answer which is the genre is just here for vibes. It is all about aesthetic, not even worldbuilding that fantasy is known for as most cozy fantasy I read have so many problems as soon as you ask one question. It is hard to acknowledge that a genre that is pitched to work for readers like me doesn't work for many of us. Especially because occasionally there is one that works beautifully to my taste.

I often say my favorite cozy fantasies that are more contemporary are short and visual, which I plays into the idea of the genre being an aesthetic. The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz is a good example because it is a simple story that is given the perfect amount of pages and gorgeous visuals without dragging on when the message is very clear and easy to understand. Books like The Phoenix Keeper and Legends and Lattes have absolutely nothing for me, their very clear message hitting the reader over and over so the readers don't miss it and focusing on the aesthetic of worldbuilding rather than the reality of the fantastic elements within the world.

I guess my point is. . . I realize this genre isn't for me since I have realized it is more of an aesthetic than anything. .. .but I want it to be. Should I let it go and put my efforts elsewhere? Or should I keep exploring this new trend and find the hidden gems?

[catsonsynthesizersinspace]

Genius takes many forms 🐈🎹🔊 https://www.catsonsynthesizersinspace.com

[vestalevelata]

[snugglyhufflepuff]

found on pinterest 💛

[lolrel]

moments in autumn

[malusokay]

how to brain dump like a pro

what you need

a messy notebook (I like the Leuchturm bullet ones)

a pen

a beverage for emotional support (or several <3)

how to get started

grab your notebook, and sit down in a quiet moment with enough time so you won't stress even more. The point of a brain dump is to unload all your thoughts, everything that is stressing you is put to paper. not aesthetically, no cutesy Pinterest vibes; we need it plain, unromanticised, and personal.

some prompts to get you going

do I have any deadlines coming up?

have I been making time for myself and my hobbies?

what projects, tasks, appointments, and/ or plans are currently stressing me out?

am I procrastinating anything?

am I properly looking after myself? (mental/physical health, skincare, hobbies, school/work, etc etc)

am I currently working through any challenges, and if yes how is that going so far?

how are my friends/relationships doing?

is there an area in my life that I should prioritise right now?

do I feel confident and comfortable at the moment?

Review and reflect

take some time and go over your writing; you can underline or highlight the points that you find most important. make this whole "brain dump" thing a routine; sometimes it takes a bit of writing until you actually get comfortable with putting your emotions onto paper (it sounds easier than it is..), but the more often you do this, the more comfortable you will get!! <3

As always, please feel free to share your own suggestions and tips in the comments! <3

love ya ･:*₊‧✩

[roguefandoms]

What if when the peak lords accepted Shang Qinghua back into their ranks, they tried to ask him to stop contacting Mobei-Jun and he just replied, "That won't be possible. For some reason he's...fond of me." And then you have ten peak lords (Shen Qingqiu is still on his fourth honeymoon with his demon lord studenthusband) staring at Shang Qinghua slackjawed as they all face the reality that demons are inexplicably attracted to Cang Qiong Peak Lords and any one of them could be next (Qi Qingqi shivers in her seat and quietly tucks the love letter from the succubus Madam Meiyin further into her sleeve.)

[logophilist1982]

Cottagecore aesthetic

[lazylittledragon]

PSST if you liked the jayvik home renovation saga i have the best news ever that there's a fic about it now!! and i love it so much that i had to draw some bits from it :3

thank you @thenootshoot you're a star <3

[daisylambs]

[thehobbitchronicles]

Hello April

please be kind to me and the ones i love, let this be the happiest and the most blessed Springtime & let me make the most precious memories 🌿🪻🌸

[hedgehog-moss]

Going home at the end of a long, cold walk <3