What’s hard to write? Hmm…
I write all over the map, just ask Audrey, and don’t really get stuck or gummed up.
Maybe deep, continuous inner dialog that’s exposed as a stream of consciousness revealing an evolving emotional tumbleweed of a character is hard for me.
Who the hell would read that anyway?
But, generalizing, “thought dialog” might be the rock in my craw. I suppose I should just try it to see if I can pull it off.
Fighting? Check.
Sex? Check.
Guns, sneaking, spying, mayhem, chaos? Check.
Sadistic carnage, dismemberment and cannibalism? Ch… Uh, no. Sounds like an opportunity to expand.
You really do write all over the map, about almost anything, including the weird and peculiar! It could be that “literary” fiction is just what doesn’t fit into a genre box.
This conversation, in addition to Audrey’s post, “What Is Literary Fiction?” have given a lot to think about in the challenged assumptions department. I’ve never given much thought to how to characterize or define literary fiction. When I was in college and grad school, there were two categories for fiction: literary fiction and popular fiction (i.e., genre fiction). The writing programs taught the craft of literary fiction, and that is what I wanted to learn. End of discussion. In fact, I remember one guy being called to account for just fooling around with genre stories. (Time to get serious about your writing, young man.) Just out of curiosity, I looked him up on the internet, and he’s done right well for himself. https://ruswornom.com/bio/ Upon reflection, I think the best way to look at fiction genres is to the extent that categories and definitions inform what you’re writing or reviewing.
There is a universal urge to categorize and classify, for a variety of reasons–imposing some sort of order onto the messy products of the imagination, or for marketing purposes, or just to draw lines like the one between serious fiction and trashy stuff. It sort of works, but it doesn’t take much to break it down. It looks like the fellow you mentioned has done well, and not in the “literary” realm!
The biggest problem with literary fiction these days is that, whatever it is, it seems to be disappearing. It’s like movies these days … almost all just remakes and sequels. People want reliable entertainment that fills an expected niche. To the extent I can define it, literary fiction doesn’t fit into any expected niche. Doesn’t follow a formula.
Kevin Brennan and I talk regularly about what seems to be a reality for indie writers who write literary fiction. There is hardly any market for it. Kevin writes some great fiction and can’t find an audience in the literary fiction world. It’s a shame.
And yet, the books awarded major prizes that make the news are literary fiction. Maybe they’re consolation prizes for books that don’t sell by the millions? 😉
Writers Supporting Writers 
What’s hard to write? Hmm…
I write all over the map, just ask Audrey, and don’t really get stuck or gummed up.
Maybe deep, continuous inner dialog that’s exposed as a stream of consciousness revealing an evolving emotional tumbleweed of a character is hard for me.
Who the hell would read that anyway?
But, generalizing, “thought dialog” might be the rock in my craw. I suppose I should just try it to see if I can pull it off.
Fighting? Check.
Sex? Check.
Guns, sneaking, spying, mayhem, chaos? Check.
Sadistic carnage, dismemberment and cannibalism? Ch… Uh, no. Sounds like an opportunity to expand.
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You really do write all over the map, about almost anything, including the weird and peculiar! It could be that “literary” fiction is just what doesn’t fit into a genre box.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This conversation, in addition to Audrey’s post, “What Is Literary Fiction?” have given a lot to think about in the challenged assumptions department. I’ve never given much thought to how to characterize or define literary fiction. When I was in college and grad school, there were two categories for fiction: literary fiction and popular fiction (i.e., genre fiction). The writing programs taught the craft of literary fiction, and that is what I wanted to learn. End of discussion. In fact, I remember one guy being called to account for just fooling around with genre stories. (Time to get serious about your writing, young man.) Just out of curiosity, I looked him up on the internet, and he’s done right well for himself. https://ruswornom.com/bio/ Upon reflection, I think the best way to look at fiction genres is to the extent that categories and definitions inform what you’re writing or reviewing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a universal urge to categorize and classify, for a variety of reasons–imposing some sort of order onto the messy products of the imagination, or for marketing purposes, or just to draw lines like the one between serious fiction and trashy stuff. It sort of works, but it doesn’t take much to break it down. It looks like the fellow you mentioned has done well, and not in the “literary” realm!
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Yup, Rusty was a fellow who knew his own mind!
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The biggest problem with literary fiction these days is that, whatever it is, it seems to be disappearing. It’s like movies these days … almost all just remakes and sequels. People want reliable entertainment that fills an expected niche. To the extent I can define it, literary fiction doesn’t fit into any expected niche. Doesn’t follow a formula.
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Just this morning, I was thinking there needs to be a Sui Generis category on Amazon et al. for literary fiction.
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Kevin Brennan and I talk regularly about what seems to be a reality for indie writers who write literary fiction. There is hardly any market for it. Kevin writes some great fiction and can’t find an audience in the literary fiction world. It’s a shame.
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I know just what you mean. We’re the red-headed children of the indie world.
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And yet, the books awarded major prizes that make the news are literary fiction. Maybe they’re consolation prizes for books that don’t sell by the millions? 😉
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Yep. It doesn’t really make sense.
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