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10: “Actually Romantic” — above the fray or becoming the enemy?
Our unreliable narrator is back!
In this lesson, we dive into “Actually Romantic,” the album’s grunge-pop, razor-edged exploration of envy, fixation, and the fine line between love and hate.
We’ll unpack the layers of verbal and dramatic irony, the unsettling sexual bravado, and the emotional whiplash of a persona caught between tender vulnerability and savage self-protection.
Along the way, we’ll consider why the showgirl reaches for seduction as a weapon, whether this track signals her turn toward villainy, and how pretending not to care can be its own tragic performance.
Plus: discussion questions and writing prompts inspired by the song’s themes.
Step into the classroom—this one’s sharp, messy, and definitely not romantic.
_______________________________________
Get all the writing prompts in one place, updated along with each episode: www.maraeller.com/prompts.
Join me for Write Like Taylor Swift: a 90-minute immersive workshop to help you write like a poet, think like a storyteller, and play with words like a literary genius.
_______________________________________
Come join the discussion!
TikTok
Threads
_______________________________________
You can find more of my personal writing and writing tips on Substack.
And visit my website to learn more about my editing, book coaching, and upcoming courses.
View all episodes
By Mara EllerOur unreliable narrator is back!
In this lesson, we dive into “Actually Romantic,” the album’s grunge-pop, razor-edged exploration of envy, fixation, and the fine line between love and hate.
We’ll unpack the layers of verbal and dramatic irony, the unsettling sexual bravado, and the emotional whiplash of a persona caught between tender vulnerability and savage self-protection.
Along the way, we’ll consider why the showgirl reaches for seduction as a weapon, whether this track signals her turn toward villainy, and how pretending not to care can be its own tragic performance.
Plus: discussion questions and writing prompts inspired by the song’s themes.
Step into the classroom—this one’s sharp, messy, and definitely not romantic.
_______________________________________
Get all the writing prompts in one place, updated along with each episode: www.maraeller.com/prompts.
Join me for Write Like Taylor Swift: a 90-minute immersive workshop to help you write like a poet, think like a storyteller, and play with words like a literary genius.
_______________________________________
Come join the discussion!
TikTok
Threads
_______________________________________
You can find more of my personal writing and writing tips on Substack.
And visit my website to learn more about my editing, book coaching, and upcoming courses.