I was reading the paper yesterday morning and saw an article by Steven Brown at The Charlotte Observer. He usually reviews our local symphony and opera group, so I was a little surprised to see him reviewing a visual art exhibition.
The art is unusual, as you can see. It’s a traveling exhibit and is making its way through American cities.
Steven Brown stated in his article for the paper:
“Here’s what I see most every day. People stop. They look….They step inside “La Cabeza” and peer out through its teeth.”
He makes the point that some more traditional-looking sculptures around Charlotte are passed by, unnoticed by people walking by.
And…I agree with him. When I took my children to uptown Charlotte to have lunch with my sister, they went inside the skull—checking it out from all angles. Even my teenager. They were positively drawn to it. And…it’s art. It’s not art that everyone might like, but it’s art that’s getting their interest and attention. It’s accessible.
In a way, I think genre fiction fills that need in the book world. Genre fiction writers are bringing books to the people—books that are usually easily-understood, accessible, interesting, and fun. If someone doesn’t think of himself as a reader, maybe a genre book in a subject interesting to him, can put him on a path of reading that can also branch into more literary-reads.
Frequently, print reviewers pick literary fiction as more of the focus. And it gets a lot of praise…well-deserved, of course. But in sheer numbers, genre fiction is responsible for a majority of book sales.
Here are some interesting posts on genre that I’ve been reading lately:
13 Ways to Add Depth to Your Genre Novel—Victoria Mixon’s look at giving your book some depth.
When literary authors slum in genre—Tor points out that genre writers are starting to get more respect.
The Two Worlds of Literature: What Serious Writers Can Learn from Genre Comrades in Arms—I love this article on e-reads about where genre writers excel.
I think there’s an important place in our society for high art—in reading, music, and art. But I think it’s also important to provide art that’s accessible to everyone.
Are you a genre reader or writer?
I’m definitely a genre writer (and reader) even though I have a hard time coloring inside the lines.
I went to grad school. I studied a whole lot of humanities in college. I love looking at lit from a literary point of view. However, perhaps because I spent as much time in anthropology and history as I did in lit and fine art, I have always seen genre as just another form a literature.
It’s a lot more sophisticated than people think – particularly on a psychological and sociological basis. It’s just that genre fiction is not egotistical. It’s not about the writer. It’s about the reader and the culture.
Genre is really a form of folklore.
I write for the reader, not for the critic. I read in my genre and I read what I love. I also read literary works, but it can be an effort. I am spoiled. I read to be entertained, transported, surprised, and amazed. I like plot better than setting and character better than language tools. I sometimes feel bad for the author who spent a year or more writing the story I devour in a couple of days. But, I will read everything he or she writes.
Elizabeth – What a wonderful post on the role of genre fiction! It really does fill both a need and a desire if you think about it. Anything that gets people interested in the creative – hooked on reading or art or music – does something to lift people up. If genre fiction makes reading more accessible for people (and I think it does) then that is a crucial and very good thing. You’re really making me think… thanks
I love to read and write genre books. Life is busy and can be tough. I don’t want to work too hard when I read – and I like to have fun when I write too!
I’m definitely a mystery genre writer and reader, but I’m also eclectic. I read all kinds of things.
I’m a genre writer and reader too but lately I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone to read writing by fellow bloggers. I like the point you made. And I’ll be sure to check out the links.
It’s hard sometimes because how do you define literary and how do you define genre? Like one of your links pointed out, more “literary” people are writing with settings that are classically genre. And if literary is just careful attention to prose, then I would argue that *most* genre writers are literary.
A writing prof basically told me that I write genre stories (well, he didn’t use the word genre, he said “popular”) with literary prose. It was a wonderful compliment that I still treasure, but what does that even mean, when you really think about it?
Writers have a responsibility to write engaging plots with well-written prose. I feel like literary versus genre often divides along those lines – literary people pay attention to the prose and (supposedly) thinky ideas, while genre people just plain write engaging plots.
But it shouldn’t be an either or. Writers that write for readers have a responsibility to do both, you know? And I think many genre writers do that, which is why the literary elitism is unwarranted.
There’s also a conversation in here about science fiction and fantasy tropes being seen as escapist, without any credit given to how they are great intellectual fodder.
Also, writing an engaging plot is difficult and takes lots of smarts. Arguably more so than writing clever prose.
I think you can tell which camp I’m a liiiittle biased against.
I’ve always read genre fiction in addition to literary fiction – which I believe has become one more genre or cross-genre. I also write genre fiction.
Your post is great. Very timely.
I’m absolutely a genre writer. I’m learning to expand and further define my own voice and style, so I’m really looking at ways to make my work accessible. I’d rather have happy readers than happy critics or be on academic course lists. :-)
Agree on both accounts. (Although artwork that is too modern or out there doesn’t usually get my attention.) I’ve never enjoyed reading literary fiction. It was genre fiction – fantasy and science fiction – that got me into reading. And now writing!
Sometimes I view a review in the NY Times as a kiss of death to a book. I’ve seen tons of books reviewed there that sold a couple of thousand copies then the author goes back to teaching at their MFA program. Some “literature” is so obscure, that reviewers and readers pretend to understand the indecipherable in order to act smarter than those around them.
Is Lonesome Dove a western?
R
Whoops– sorry about the comment before!
For me, I sleep in both beds, so to speak. Really, I read genre for an escape…and I read it because I really enjoy the idea of the general plot..whether it’s mystery, horror or romance. I end up reading literary because I am connected to the story or the character.
I find that I write in both areas too…but my latest project I would say leans more towards genre fiction. As it evolves and I complete the outline and really start writing, I think it will morph into more of a genre story because it’s more the plot driving the story.
Both genres share a purpose I would say! And it appeals to readers differently! It’s funny though that a creative writing instructor looked down on genre writing and I was never sure why! I love all books!! Ha ha, but then again I am avid reader, so just reading a book satisfies me.
The Daring Novelist–You’ve got a lot of influences, I think. I bet they make your writing very interesting to read.
And…great points! Yes, genre is about the *reader*. Folklore…nicely put.
Clarissa–I like to read friends’ books, too. :)
Jackie–I prefer to be entertained, too. :) If I read lit fic, sometimes I feel like I’m even more critical…probably because the *writing* is on prominent display (which means I’m analyzing it.)
Margot–I think genre fiction can help connect readers to a whole world of books.
Jemi–That sounds good to me!
Journaling Woman–I love to read lots of different things, too–stretches my mind a little.
Paul–Happy readers are key!
Alex–I can enjoy lit fic, but the characters have to be amazing. I skim descriptive passages.
Bob–Well, and where do you *go* after a NY Times review? You’ve already been to the top. I’d be so impressed with myself that I think I’d be paralyzed when it came time to write the next book. With my genre books, I don’t have time–my books are sold to the publisher in batches of 3, so I have to get off my behind and start writing the next one.
Annalise–I think genre writers are very careful in many ways–because the readers are experts in the genre. Frequently mystery readers, for example, are die-hards. They’ve read much of the releases each month, have read classic mysteries, are reading the new stuff (like paranormal). They’re really, really knowledgeable and we don’t want to let them down.
I think your prof’s compliment must mean that he thought you used language especially well…which he might think (and probably sometimes is correct in the assumption) that genre writers don’t do.
Writing something for an avid readership that knows its genre is tough–very tough. I think you’re right!
Julia–I like the thought of literary fiction being a genre. :)
Nicole–I enjoy lit fic, too, although genre is definitely my favorite.
I think one tendency people have is to think of genre fiction as commercial. It *is* commercial, but I think only in the sense that it is going to appeal to a large number of readers.
I suppose I am, but I just consider myself a reader and writer.
And when I teach literature, I don´t bother too much about genres either. I bother about quality, however, meaning that though we can pick a Paul Auster or Charles Dickens mystery apart in the classroom and put it together again while learning a lot, it is not possible to do so with ALL books (no matter if they are called literature or crime fiction).
I love all books and in the past my reading has spanned many genres, but as I’ve gotten older I’m a total genre reader. Thriller, suspense, crime, etc., and that’s what I write. Thanks for Victoria’s link – that’s really interesting.