My naive dream that the literary world was a happy, jolly place with writers linking arms and swigging martinis was abruptly shattered back in March. Why March? That was when I read an article by Robert McCrum confirming what I'd so blithly ignored: the Class Pyramid of British Literature. McCrum writes that in literature, poets top the list while crime novelists and writers of celeb biographies languish at the bottom. Sure, sure. Nothing new there.
But what really depressed me was this: there was no mention -- anywhere -- of romantic novelists. Romantic novels occupy top places in The Times' best-sellers list but they didn't even merit a mention in McCrum's pyramid.
And this week I got even more depressed with The Guardian's chick-lit debate. First up: an article by DJ Connell, who writes that using a female name as an author is 'the kiss of death' and that the label chick-lit is offensive 'because it not only condemns a work of humour to the ghetto of the light and frivolous but it is also ridiculously outdated.' Today, a defense of the genre by writer Michele Gorman appeared -- thankfully.
But why should we even have to defend our genre -- to other writers and the public? We are all writers, regardless of what we write. We're all trying to communicate; to sell books; to promote the benefits of literature. We all agonise over finding the right word; the best sentence structure; the smoothest character arc. At the end of the day, we're all story-tellers.
So come on, writers. Lose the labels and the condemnation. And just write.
(PS - In the interest of all getting along, why not hop over to the wonderful Mel's blog at High Heels and Book Deals for some free books?)
'We all agonise over finding the right word; the best sentence structure; the smoothest character arc. At the end of the day, we're all story-tellers.'
ReplyDeleteYour conclusion is worth repeating. A well researched and presented post.
You're one of the best writers i was lucky to meet dearie. Hugs and many huggles ;)
ReplyDeleteGalaxyhera
This is just a great post. I've seen those lists, and I've had people sneer at me because I write fantasy. But then, I'm sure I sneer at others for the genre they write in.
ReplyDeleteI notice that it's usually the fewer readers you have and the more incomprehensible your writing, the higher up the scale you are.
You're right, we really need to put aside this idea that somehow one genre is better than any other and get on with the business of writing.
www.joelyblack.com - for fiction
http://isabeljoelyblack.wordpress.com - where I go to get over myself.
Well said! I've felt the same negativity aimed toward childrens writers. But we are all important! Books need to be written, and if the only books out there were literary fiction the world would be a boring place (and kids wouldn't want to read).
ReplyDeleteThink about most art movements, they were condemned before being accepted. Maybe people think they have the right to criticize, simply because they can. But who is to criticize something that people like, buy and read?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! The romance section in my old store grew exponentially over the years. Huge market there! I love and respect all fictions. It's hard enough writing and publishing and putting your work out there for readers but when you don't get the respect of your fellow authors? Why do we do this? Sigh.
ReplyDeleteBefore I started writing, I equated poor writing with the genres I wasn't interested in reading. Now, each time I try to write outside the genres I am interested in, I re-learn a big lesson: To write well, in ANY genre, is a feat to be applauded, loudly!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Talli!!
I feel like fantasy and sci fi get a bad rap as well: like I write about nonsense. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI love romance and chick lit. I read more of that than literary fiction. So there!
I'm not a writer, just an infrequent blogger, but as a reader I like all sorts of books, and there's a place for everyone It would be very boring to read the same old thing all the time.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Talli. I read all sorts of things, and like to try writing different things too.
ReplyDeleteLots of people are sniffy about the short stories that appear in the women's magazine market, even though this is a really competitive area to break into. Surely we should be cheering each other on, whatever market we write for, not sniping about the relative worth of different genres. I find that kind of literary snobbery so annoying.
Very well said!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with everything you've said. Writing in one genre does not make you a better writer than someone who writes in another. Writing is writing - and it's challenging no matter which genre you write.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletereally good post, but another question: where does chick lit end and romance begin?
That is a trickier question tan anyone might think! I write romance (full stop), have been published with erotic novels and a mainstream romantic thriller.
I recently subbed a category romance to supposedly category romance e-book publisher - lo and behold the big R referred to florid prose and jokey thought mode (not dialogue)and for being too rom-com!
The publisher in question supposedly seeking realistic dialogue and sexy stories, but since when was sex a serious business: no humour allowed?
The big R refers to my Darlings blogfest entry, still on my blog. Now I'm not saying the ed didn't find other pointers wrong with it but the highlighted sentence was referred to as dialogue when it was "male" character thought mode! Which begged another question: don't men tend toward jokey thinking when musing something that tickled their fancy in a nice way?
Something to think on girls . . .
best
F
"So come on, writers. Lose the labels and the condemnation. And just write."
ReplyDeleteHere here. Great post, Talli. Thank you!
~bru
Conflict is good!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteThe best I can say about such articles as McCrum's and DJ Connel and yes even Michele Gorman ones are that they generate alot of detractors and defenders and debate and any other d words I can think of! Just look at the comments under that article!!! Yay for democracy!!!
I do take umbrage at Ms Connell's willingness to neutralise her name though. That's just pandering to the evil that is sexism.
Take care
x
yeah i never understood the elitist attitude of some writers
ReplyDeleteer... I meant "comments under those articles".. sorry - boss came in before i can proof read and sent it!!
ReplyDeleteRunning away now
O.K Kitty (me neutralising my gender).
I think anyone that managed to put pen to paper (or perhaps that should be fingers to keyboard) and manages to write a novel, poem or short story should get a medal! It's notoriously difficult to write and it really shouldn't matter what genre works best for you!!
ReplyDeleteI say sod the lot of them and be proud!
C x
Very well written. You've certainly been stewing this one ever for a long time.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if we all viewed ourselves as storytellers? Eventually the cast system would return. Such is the nature of man to make one higher than the other.
Thank you all for your comments. This has really been bothering me lately!
ReplyDeleteFrancine - Interesting question!
I'm with you! I don't think there is a easy genre to write whether it be mystery or woman's fiction or poetry. Each has it's own requirements and challenges. I don't know who this McCrum is but I don't think he speaks for the readers and that's who I'm writing for. Myself and for my readers. I don't think you have to worry, Talli, you have loyal readers.
ReplyDeleteCD
IMHO every genre has value and every person has a story to tell. Not every book changes the world, but that doesn't make those that don't worthless.
ReplyDeleteObviously, there are some genres that I don't have a taste for; however, as those who have written a book of any kind, and have had it accepted for publishing know, it is not an easy task. A good book is a good book - period! I should mention that I am a thriller/horror guy, and never wanted to read Pat Conroy's "Beach Music" when it was recommended to me by a sister-in-law. Can you guess what my favorite all-time book is after I did read it? One never knows.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right that we should put aside these prejudices and simply all be writers together, with no one genre superior or inferior to the other.
ReplyDeleteI do have to admit, though, that I was once a book snob and wouldn't buy a book with a pink cover. Having now read some very good "chick-lit"or "women's fiction", whatever we're calling it this week, I have now put that embarrassing period behind me.
There is room for everyone on the bookshelf and, as writers and readers, we ought to be reading a bit of everything, even if we then go on to find out own personal preference and read more in one genre than another.
Way to mention something so close to your heart! It's hard enough to write a novel and go through the entire agent & publishing process only to try and be knocked down and discouraged that your genre isn't good enough!
ReplyDeleteI love the chick-lit genre, no matter what you want to call it I'll still read, it's sweet, witty and wonderful. Not everyone will like every genre but they should be kind at the time those writers took to make a brilliant piece :)
That's pretty heated alright- got me boiling a little bit, but you are right- we are all trying for the same thing, just what we write is different. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteNobody is ever going to write a book that everyone will love. Conversely, most published books are enjoyed by some people, some by many people, whatever their genre. There are no easy ways or short-cuts to publishable writing in any genre. So, yes, let's just write.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Talli! Book snobbery is ridiculous - I often wonder if it's based in jealousy :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really dismayed at the whole "using a female name is the kiss of death" thing, especially considering the astounding number of books I've read that are written by women. Actually, every single favorite fantasy book of mine save one is written by a woman. I guess we'll just have to keep producing fantastic books, not judging based on labels, and publishing under our real FEMALE names ;)
ReplyDeleteHere here! I get so irritated with the hierachy of literature, everyone trying to top everyone else while putting them down. I'd love it if all writers just accepted each other. (Of course, I'd love it if all people just accepted each other, too.)
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be an innate snobbery about anything which sells well (just ask JK Rowling). Chick Lit sells very well and therefore can't be worth reading...! High Literature sells hardly anything and therefore has that exclusivity. Why the hell should 'popular' = 'rubbish'?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reiterating, Talli. We're all writers, we're all in it together.
e·lit·ism
ReplyDeleteThe belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
These snobs pervade every single facet of our lives.
Amen. Testify up in here!
ReplyDeleteI know. The truth is, it IS a snobby world at large, with sub-sects of snobbery even within genres. It's a snobby world outside the 'literary' world.
I think there are always people who love to name-drop, and think themselves above others.
And, there is definitely still a "men's club" pseudo hierarchy thing going on in business everywhere....including civilized countries.
But, I tend to think mostly they are the squeaky wheels...and karma'll get 'em.
I believe there are a LOT more lovely, kind, generous, thoughtful writers out there than the judge ones, writers who include and share and forgive.
I'm pretty omnivorous with reading...there's stellar writing and sloppy/lazy writing in every genre.
Anyway, I agree with you. And I support you. And I love me some chick lit! I don't write it, but I loves to read it. :) Even though even American agents say NOT to use the term, I rather fancy it.
Love,
Lola
I love this: "At the end of the day, we're all story-tellers."
ReplyDeleteSo, so true! I've noticed that genre snobbery, and it's not just British literature, it's everywhere. I used to love reading fun, cheesy, light Mills & Boon stories, but whenever people talked about it, I got this feeling that they thought those writers were somehow sillier and less talented than everyone else.
Why does genre matter? We're all telling stories and inventing characters for other people to love. Can a poet string together an exciting romance? Doubt it. So genre doesn't make writers better than other writers; it just makes us all different.
I am loving reading all these comments! Thank you everyone for weighing in!
ReplyDeleteYou said it sister..can't we put up a fight like a really good and fierce one against all this unfairness to chic lit. This was an amazing post lovely and so glad glad you shared it and still waiting for you to check out my post titled Feminine Intent, hope you enjoy it~
ReplyDeleteI don't think those labels are as strong here in the US. However, science fiction writers don't get much respect either.
ReplyDeleteI get so irritated over stuff like that. I'll pick up a book any day with the girl's name and a cool cover. I sometimes don't believe the trends. Maybe there's less chick lit selling because they're putting less out there.
ReplyDeleteGrr.
I go back to what I tell myself over and over. Write what you want.
Great post, Talli, thanks. I am pondering a pen name and your post helped. Hmm, or did it muddy the waters even further? Either way, it's all good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, that rebel, Olivia
I agree. I wish there weren't all these strict categories and assumptions about them. Why can't there be a mix?
ReplyDeleteI also think it's dumb how "literary fiction" equals "snooty" and supposedly "doesn't sell."
All we can do is write whatever it is that we write with pride. -Lee
I'm seeing the same thing with commercial vs. literary. Gosh, we do need to get over ourselves and just write.
ReplyDeleteA lot of these articles saying this type of writing or that type of writing is dead are usually so slanted that I can barely get through them.
HERE HERE!
ReplyDeleteWell said Talli! Why can't we all get along? I hate writing snobbery.
ReplyDeleteMan, screw those haters, I say. Every genre is worthy of respect. If that weren't the case, then how would chick lit and romance be making big money? Are the haters basically declaring us idiots who don't know the difference between good and bad fiction?
ReplyDeleteI love the linkage and I think you're very right about us writers.
Too right Talli, you should never have to defend your genre! Esp if its the genre leading the way - the last issue of Mslexia notes that the majority of e-book purchasers are women in their thirties/forties and are readers of, you guessed it, romantic fiction.
ReplyDeleteWriting with a female name can no way be the kiss of death, thats nuts! Women write 60% of fiction and women readers also outnumber their male counterparts. Methinks they protest too much!
I'd read the McCrum article a couple of months ago and wondered. I hadn't read the other articles before. Thanks for posting them!
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is room for everyone, regardless of genre.
ReplyDeleteI'll play it first and tell you what it is later.
ReplyDelete-- Miles Davis
"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art." - Charlie "YardBird" Parker
"Gram Parsons' writing brought his own personal generations poetry and vision into the very traditional format of country music, and he came up with something completely different" - Emmylou Harris
Just saying...refuse to belong to a type, a classification, a genre, a school. Belong to yourself. When someone asks you what kind of writer you are - say you're a genuine one. Refuse to choose.
Jan Morrison
Snobbery exists everywhere. In the fall, I wrote a post about different "classes" of educators. It's the same in writing I suppose.
ReplyDeleteChildren's book authors get little respect but probably have the most devoted audience. I enjoy reading a variety of genres, and don't think one is better than the other.
Everywhere we go, we're told what we should and shouldn't do, what's right and wrong, and whether what we do has value. Rarely do those people matter to us.
You've published two nonfiction book and will soon publish chick lit. Hooray!
Oh boy, lol, and then you get pyramids inside genres here in the US of A. LOL- some people don't even consider you "published" and worthy to sit with them if you don't have the "Right" publisher. *shakes head*
ReplyDeleteI just laugh at it all and then write them into murder mysteries...bwahahaha
Cheers~
AMEN! You tell 'em Talli! But I do agree. It doesn't matter your genre, if you are outside of the genre "society" and part of the "acceptable" crowd, you can forget it. Okay, well, maybe not forget it but you certainly don't have an easy job of it. Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Romance authors seem to have the worst of it in having to defend their work. Just a few days ago, I blogged about how someone told me you don't have to work hard at being a fantasy author because you just get to make stuff up.
ReplyDeleteSeriously.
We're all in this together, we all have a story to tell so what is the issue here?
Give 'em hell, girl!
Hear Hear! I agree and you know I'm not a fan of pigeon holes and labels. There is room for everyone in the writing universe and people will decide who they like with their money when they venture into book stores or online. Romance novels, Womens Fiction, Chicklit are HUGE business and here to stay no matter what the publishers wish to label them.
ReplyDeleteThe reason people criticize others is because it makes them feel rather special.
ReplyDeleteSo, my advice to you is, read 'em, if you want or have time, & continue to do what you do.
I cannot believe romance novels weren't at the top of the pyramid. My library has more romance novels than mystery and horror combined. If only I could write romance...le sigh...
ReplyDeleteThanks for following me. I think in the U.S. they have changed the name from chick lit to something else, and I'm not sure what the latest title is. I see you have many fans. Well done.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Talli! I completely agree with you. There will always be an audience for great books and the thought that genre-bashing articles could discourage somebody from writing a potentially-awesome book is really sad.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Talli! Why should some genres be ignored? Why do writers of other genres look down their noses and romance or chick-lit? Both are highly successful genres!
ReplyDeleteSo true. I can't believe romantic novels weren't included in the list at all, how incredible, especially when there always seem to be at least one or two on the bestsellers lists at one time.
ReplyDeleteYou're just taking all the fun out of snark!
ReplyDeleteHello Talli. I've read all of the other articles attached to your post. I cannot believe that a writer wouldn't want to let the public know of her gender! I read books mostly written by women and the funniest were written by women! This is mind-boggling. Whatever they say, however they look down on chick-lit or womens fiction, whatever they call it, I will continue reading this kind of books and will support women fiction writers! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that when a man writes a romance/bodice ripper (e.g. The Reliable Wife), it's termed "literary fiction." But when a woman writes it, it becomes category romance and/or chick lit? Double standard. Either way, I just want to read a good story.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - and very timely. I was having this very discussion earlier in the week with my writer friends.
You wanna know what's funny... those genres at the 'bottom' have a lot wider readership (says the woman writing a 'write-for-hire'-straight to paperback, Cozy mystery series). I think it makes people feel smart or something, but I am with you... lets just get along. We all write.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad, and ridiculous, that writers have to defend their genres. Writing itself is difficult enough, no matter what it is that you're writing. There's no need for all the derision and pointing fingers.