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Okay, I'm back home and it looks like I'm gonna be sticking around for a while, so theoretically, I should be settling down to do some writing... any second now...
Maybe not.
I'm not experiencing a writer's block.
Nope. I just don't particularly feel like writing.
So sue me. I'll get back to it... any day now.
Yes sirree...
Lately, I've just been having too darned much fun. No apologies for that. We only go around once.
Since I don't have much to report on the progress of my WIP, let's just move along and consider this month's question, shall we?
Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?
Good question. Although I know the term turns some people off, the pigeonhole that takes the least amount of hammering to fit my writing into is Literary Fiction. Yeah, I know, that sounds pretentious as all get-out, doesn't it? Like I'm insinuating the stuff I write is somehow more meaningful or has more merit than Genre Fiction. Far from it! It's simply the closest fit, as described by the industry.
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People, and what makes them tick, is absolutely fascinating to me.To begin with shadowy images of characters, and then slowly develop them until they are clearly defined in my mind... and in readers' minds... gives me great pleasure.
Unlike Charles Schultz' Linus in this old 1959 Peanuts cartoon, I genuinely like people and honestly believe that even those who aren't particularly admirable deserve to be fleshed out and presented in such a way that instills some level of empathy. Readers may hate Archie, the main character in Explosive Beginnings, but at least, they (hopefully) come to understand why he is the way he is.
Stories not only give us a much needed practice on figuring out what makes people tick, they give us insight into how we tick. [Lisa Cron]
Which, of course, doesn't mean that writers of Genre Fiction don't create awesome characters. It just isn't their main focus.
Being classified as Literary Fiction doesn't necessarily mean a book is snooty, high-brow and full of la-di-dah words and phrases... like some of the books forced upon us when we were in school... but some admittedly are. Not MY stuff, mind you, but some. However, I think it's fair to say that most literary writers have an inordinate love for the sound and rhythm of words. Not just what they say... but how they sound.
The best thing about writing literary fiction? No template. There are no expectations of a certain kind of story arc, character type, resolution, or a guaranteed happily-ever-after ending. Anything goes. There are no road maps, which suits me perfectly. (Those things are a real pain in the patootie to fold...)
The best explanation I've seen regarding the difference between Genre Fiction and Literary Fiction came from freelance writer Steven Petite in a 2014 Huffpost article: In essence, the best Genre Fiction contains great writing, with the goal of telling a 'captivating story' to escape from reality. Literary Fiction is comprised of the heart and soul of a writer's being, and is experienced as an 'emotional journey' thru the symphony of words, leading to a stronger grasp of the universe and of ourselves.
Yeah... well, that still sounds a little lofty, and I doubt if I've ever risen to those levels. Bottom line? I write stories that I'd like to read. Period. Not my fault the industry gurus categorize my hybrid stuff as literary. After all, in the end, what we all write is... words.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.
I am a multi-genre reader and literary fiction floats my boat. Often. As do works which refuse to be caged by genre.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear that you are having fun. Keep at it.
I'm a multi-genre reader, too. With such an amazing smorgasbord of books to choose from, why not try a little bit of everything?
DeleteThe main thing is that you still have fun thinking about your work, planning it, and are not giving up. I am sure your next book will be as good if not better than the last one, which I loved. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteYes... "writing" doesn't always involve sitting in front of a computer or scribbling in a notebook. Thanks for the pep talk. I appreciate it a bunch. Hugs back atcha.
DeleteWell, I can definitely relate to the Linus cartoon.
ReplyDeleteAs for genres, I'm probably genre-less. Or perhaps bi-genre. I don't like to be stuck in only one category......it's much more fun to be stuck in several.
Genres are definitely necessary - and many authors are masters at one specific category. As for myself, I prefer the element of surprise and variety.
Sometimes I'm humorous. Sometimes I'm depressingly moribund....
.....and sometimes I write crappy comments on wonderful blogs.
A lot of people can relate to that Linus cartoon. :)
DeleteDeclaring my work genre-less would suit me, but the publishing world is more accepting of a writer being gender-less than they are of that same writer penning genre-less books that don't fit neatly into one of their pigeonholes. As for YOU? I certainly hope your next book is squarely in the "memoir" category...
Nope. Your comments are NEVER crappy.
If anyone was to grasp a better understanding of the universe by reading one of my books then they were in a really bad place to begin with.
ReplyDeleteHA! Not true. Your characters are very timeless, and their stories are universal.
DeleteGreat explanation of the difference between genre and literary fiction. Archie was a great character - very complex. I didn't want to like him, but he grew on me over the course of the book as I learned more about him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear Archie kinda grew on ya. :)
Deletefunny meme, make me smile: " writing a book after finish solitaire...game..."
ReplyDeleteEnjoy with your group.
Solitaire... or crossword puzzle... maybe a Sudoku or two... Whatever works. :)
DeleteLove that first quote!
ReplyDeleteNo Seinfeld?! And I have a reference to the show on my post today.... :)
Would Contemporary Fiction work?
Me, too. It kinda describes my approach to writing these days...
DeleteHA! All of our kids loved Seinfeld, but I never took a shining to it. I couldn't relate to any of the characters or the way they always made mountains out of molehills. :)
I dunno. Since one of my books takes place in the mid-90s and the other in the '50s, they might not be considered contemporary.
I like your definition of literary fiction, as well as your rejection of the snootiness associated with that label. It can be hard to slot our stories into this or that genre--says the woman working on a cozy mystery/women's fiction/romance.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It can be hard to categorize our stories. Your WIP sounds like a good mix, though. Good luck with it!
DeletePeople never do their best when “they are not in the mood”. When the spirit hits you to go back to your writing, you will know it and you will be mad to get back to the keyboard. Meanwhile, keep on enjoying. “It is summertime and the livin’ is easy.”
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm all for the "easy living" right now.
DeleteNot lofty at all, Susan …. I thoroughly enjoyed your explanations; I'd not given thought to. Mostly? I'm delighted to learn I'm not the only one who disliked Seinfeld!
ReplyDeleteWoo HOO! I thought I was the ONLY one who didn't care for Seinfeld. Cool!
DeleteHave all the fun you want! Writing will be there when you need it. And then you can write about the fun things you've done. :)
ReplyDeleteYou betcha! If we don't have fun NOW, then when?
DeleteChrys> I see
DeleteThe whole trick is to write what you'd like to read. I'm a genre girl through and through.
ReplyDeleteI think that's true: write whatcha want to read. As for you, you're a good writer through and through. :)
DeleteHaving fun sure is the way, whether writing or not. Just going where the mind wants works for me, nothing specific at our sea.
ReplyDeleteWorks for me, too!
DeleteSimilar to Linus' estimation of mankind, I saw this pretty funny tee shirt with this written on the front:
ReplyDeletePeople
Not a fan
That is pretty funny. (Did you see it in your closet...? HA!)
DeleteI'm with "Write what you like to read." All that matters is you enjoy doing it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. If we don't like what we write, why in the world would anybody else like it?
DeleteGenre bothers me. I have no idea what genre my writings would be classed as. It's something I never think about until someone brings it up. I haven't written much lately, I know I should work on it daily, but just don't "feel it", if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah! It most DEFINITELY makes sense to me. I'm not "feeling it" lately, either. As for writing every day, that's what "they" say we should do, but ya know what? "They're" not the boss of us! HA. We'll get back to it when we're good and ready. :)
DeleteI've been having too much fun too, Susan. No excuses, but I've even been a bit lazy with my blog. Plus the darn grass keeps growing - seems like Ray and I are mowing every day.
ReplyDeleteI am not a genre person - I read a huge variety and I also write (if and when I do) a variety. I admire folks who choose a genre and are really good at it. I'd rather flail about with my pen or pencil or a crayon or two.
Hey - keep having fun. Let's rest on the bench once in awhile and catch up.
I'm glad to hear it! You... we... SHOULD be having fun, doggone it. (ahem) Hear ye, hear ye! I hereby decree this the Summer of Having Fun!
Delete(But, psssst! Unless you're made of much different materials than I, mowing the lawn is NOT considered fun!)
psssst - I don't mind mowing. Our yard isn't that huge and we have a very light battery powered mower with an auto GO. I can set the speed and it does the work. A bit of exercise...
Delete:) To tell the truth, I didn't mind mowing the lawn once upon a time, either. Except for the darned HEAT. It wasn't too bad when we had the pool, though, because I'd literally fall into it when I got finished. Best feeling ever... Now, hubby does all the mowing... with a riding mower. :)
DeleteI'm not a writer but I enjoy reading … but sometimes especially when the weather is good and there is so much going on outside the book is put down for a while.
ReplyDeleteSo, I say … write when you want to and have fun when you want to, I see no harm in that :)
All the best Jan
Good advise. We've gotta follow our hearts, right?
DeleteI think writing what you would like to read is great advice, regardless of where on the shelf the industry wants to place it.
ReplyDeleteI think that's some good thinking there. :)
DeleteYou write stories you like to read--yes, that resonates with me as well.
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say. Great minds think alike. :)
DeleteHi Susan - I think Connie probably says it all - I just enjoy writing content for the blog that resonates for me and hopefully for others ... love Linus' comment ... I love people (some of mankind not so much). How many have had their tick-tock taken away ... funny cartoon - always love them - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi-ya, Hilary. If we don't enjoy reading what we write, there's a darned good chance nobody else will, either. :)
DeleteCheers back atcha.
I'm mostly a fan of scifi/fantasy, though I like to read almost everything.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how much we can like a genre we thought we'd NEVER enjoy. As long as we approach a work with an open mind, good writing is good writing.
DeleteCan my genre be picture books?
ReplyDeleteAbso-doggone-lutely! :)
DeleteI like to read all genres. And enjoy reading so genres hardly matter to me.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. :)
DeleteCompletely relate to your love of characters. They always come first for me, too. (To the point where I find myself going, "Oh, wait, I gotta come up with some kind of plot for 'em now, don't I?! AHHH.) Literary fiction not having a template to follow or expectations to meet sounds so freeing!
ReplyDeleteHA! I reckon we have to come up with SOME kinda plot... :)
DeleteI like it simple. I just simply write, friend Sue … am not concerned about any "genre" talk and things like that … simple as that. Anyway. Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteNo, you don't write "simple." What you write is simply beautiful.
DeleteYes, to your list of character trait likes. I also go for different types of characters.
ReplyDeleteRight. No one likes to read about characters who are so much alike, they're like cut-out dolls.
DeleteI’m surprised you didn’t like Seinfeld, as we laugh at many of the same things. Then again, it’s probably a good thing that you don’t have any family members who remind you of the characters. It hits a little too close to home for me! Haha, you could never be a snob, though literary fiction does have a nice ring to it. And you write it so well! On another note, happy belated 50th anniversary! You look and act way too young to have been married that long! I can’t wait to see the photos!
ReplyDeleteJulie
I dunno why I didn't care for Seinfeld. Our kids all loved the show, but it never floated my boat.
DeleteThanks. It's hard to believe 50 years has flown by so quickly. (I was but a mere zygote when we got hitched...)