Today I went searching on the internet for more information, trying to understand what literary genre my book fits into. The best articles I found were all from the Writer's Relief Blog, and I've listed them here for your perusal if you, like me, belong to the "I like what I like and I've never paid much attention to genre classifications" support group.
1. Here is an article breaking down literary versus mainstream fiction. I know I don't write literary fiction, but I've always wondered exactly what it is. The definition of "mainstream fiction" actually comes closer to what I'm writing than I expected.In my opinion, my current book is soft, or basically mainstream science fiction. What do you write? Have you had any trouble defining your own literary genre?
2. This post talks about the rules of genre fiction, for instance how long the manuscript for a science fiction novel should be, or what elements it should contain.
3. The clincher for me was their discussion of subgenres. Oh yes, there are genres within genres. But believe it or not I think this fact makes it easier to define my novel's category.
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With book one, I didn't really know. (Like, about anything.) With book two, I had a much better idea: mainstream.
ReplyDeletecurrently my writing fits with in the young adult fantasy genre, but I agree with you. it is hard to try and define what you write with just one category! Unfair!
ReplyDeleteJohn - It can get confusing, can't it?
ReplyDeleteIsabella - YA seems like one of the freest genres right now, don't you think?
I thought Colleen Lindsey said YA isn't a genre, it is a category (like adult) but I could be absolutely wrong. I think the genre thing gets very confusing. I know the agents want us to know where to put our books, but I get confused myself. Aren't we trying to write things that haven't been written before? That makes it tough sometimes to nail it down in a genre. You might be doing a steampunk romance with a lot of adventure. If they're all pretty dominant to the story- I get lost. I've got a fantasy with strong elements of romance, some mystery and some action. Calling it a romance doesn't seem right and fantasy- I always think of things like Avatar. Sometimes, figuring out where things fit in the genre rainbow is like trying to match shades of blue clothing with my mom over the phone.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely hard to categorize, Elisabeth. I write YA urban fantasy (a genre I spent a while researching to make sure I was correct in labeling it that -- there's paranormal, urban, sci-fi, and so on... I won't even go there about how long it was before I figured out what steampunk was) and women's fiction, which I've thought about merely labeling commercial fiction, but haven't done so, just yet.
ReplyDeleteI think the Writers Digest site has a pretty good genre/word count breakdown too, but I can't remember where, exactly.
There's a lot of overlap between genres. You have to just make your closest guesstimate, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty easy for me. I write high and/or epic fantasy for adults. Not that it's rated X or something... It's just more adult than YA. That's what I set out to write, and that's (usually) what I read. I'm just drawn to it.
I do love other stuff, though, particularly more classic stuff or literary works. And I do enjoy a good history or biography.
I had a very nice compliment on a novella that I'm working on. One of my beta readers said it had a literary feel to it even though it was fantasy. That made me smile and smile. :)
Gaaah. This makes me pull my hair out, too. Paranormal mystery? Humorous contemporary fantasy? Light urban fantasy? Hard to say. If it sells, I'll let you know what they decide to call it. ;)
ReplyDeleteMisty - Oops, I think you're right about YA being a category not a genre. One cool thing about YA, I think, is in the bookstores I've visited they tend to shelve all YA genres together alphabetically - there's a better chance of the reader branching into a different genre. YA is an exciting field right now - so much energy! I know what you mean about Avatar.
ReplyDeleteJessica - many classic novels would have been called women's fiction and missed their deservedly wide readership if that genre/category had been around even fifty years ago. It's an interesting shift.
Amy - back when I thought "literary" meant only "mostly concerned with character," I thought my work might edge into literary. That was a nice compliment for you.
Linda - I didn't know your work had any fantasy or paranormal elements. That's cool! Let me know what "they" decide.
I like hearing what you all write. Thanks for commenting.
My agent and I had a long stretch where we called my writing all sorts of different things. We were told by editors that "romantic comedy" was a death sentence and not good to use. We started calling it "humorous women's fiction" and "comedic contemporary romance" and all sorts things like that. It eventually sold to an editor who tossed out all that crap and just called it what it is (romantic comedy, of course).
ReplyDeleteTawna
This topic always makes me twitch.
ReplyDeleteI live an 'omnivorous' life...I like lots of things, and especially things that blur the lines.
I love music, literature, food, etc. that blends/bends or transcends genres. I like Bach and the Sex Pistols, Depeche Mode and Slipknot, the Rolling Stones and Eminem, Lady Gaga and...
I like period films and action movies, rom-coms and noirs, the Hangover and the English Patient, Amelie and Fight Club.
I also like dressing up, going to the opera and fine dining as well as eat-with-your-fingers crab shacks/burger joints and dancing barefoot on the beach in cut-offs after a day of surfing.
I like being girly and the color pink, being intelligent and raunchy humor. I like football and fast cars and kickboxing but I cry over commercials and will go days without sleep to nurse a hurt toad/bird/mouse/person back to health.
And, thus, I agree with you about YA...I like that they are almost always just shelved alphabetically by author, without regard to 'genre'.
I understand the need for stores (and people) to want, even need, sections of genre, if only for organizing purposes...but I kinda wish it was all just labeled: fiction or non-fiction. *sigh*
I apologize for going on a rant on your blog, taking up a lot of airspace in your comments. I don't mean to come across as vainglorious speaking about myself and all MY 'vast array of interests'. My point (and frustration) is I think plenty of us write (and read) fiction that straddles the genre lines...and some of the best books I've read do so.
Further, I hate the feeling that I'm stuck writing only one 'genre'. I get all twitchy thinking: if I have commercial success with a mainstream novel and then desire to write a humorous thriller/women's fiction with lyrical, literary-style prose and character development...and I know I have a YA lit-fic in me...and an urban fantasy in me...
I mean good writing/art doesn't know boundaries or limitations, right?
Okay, I'll shut up now. *blushes* *scurries away*
Tawna - that's a funny story. You rock the genre, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteLola - I loved reading your comment. I totally hear you. I, too, worry about the barrier to switching genres later on.
Abso-freaking-lutely! I am YA Paranormal...based in history and myth with a romance and a vampire...ugh I know. But some of my characters are considered fantasy -- just by showing up....so who do ya call...lol. Genre busters! LOL. Horror used to hold all this stuff, now it is like the kiss of death to writers....hehehe...
ReplyDeleteI have just been saying Paranormal lately. To many pots for the same soup.