tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post293425822058837780..comments2023-10-29T06:46:47.858-05:00Comments on brooke johnson's blog: the purpose of booksBrookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728905100557593958noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-49369190788680218832011-09-26T17:49:37.651-05:002011-09-26T17:49:37.651-05:00Ha! I've been through the MFA puppy mill and t...Ha! I've been through the MFA puppy mill and they will tell you that commercial fiction is garbage. They want to be answering the big questions, plunging into the soul. They don't see that there is actually value in the relaxing, the escape. Not to mention sci fi and fantasy that often does tackle some of the big questions of our times.<br /><br />But success? Oh success is much easier in genre! Literary fiction is an extremely difficult sell, though when it does do well it really takes off in a big way.Ruth Madisonhttp://www.ruthmadison.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-83624444804119786202011-09-06T16:58:00.521-05:002011-09-06T16:58:00.521-05:00This is the first time I've commented, but thi...This is the first time I've commented, but this post struck a chord.<br /><br />As you know, I'm a genre writer (slightly different genres, but whatevs). I had a professor that didn't want us to write genre in our intro class, but we could in Fiction Workshop. So, at least he was somewhat encouraging, even if he did write literary fiction.<br /><br />I'm thinking the prof that discouraged your genre writing was my advisor. If so, that's weird because he liked my chupacabra story. Then again, he vaguely compared it to Shirley Jackson's work, and she was a literary gal.<br /><br />I guess the literary snobs think genre fiction is supposed to be dumb, and a lot of time it is. I point out Neil Gaiman to the contrary, though. He writes literary genre fiction. It has all the pretty words and the deep ideas along with the weird stuff.<br /><br />To me, writing is about telling stories. I try to do it as simply as possible. If I happen to think of a really deep and awesome idea, then that's a bonus. Like you, I write the stories I want to read. Reading is an escape for me, and maybe it sounds simplistic, but I had enough heavy reading in college.<br /><br />Good Lord, I wrote a book...Kristina R. Mosleyhttp://twitter.com/elstupacabranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-91108834849442013362011-09-06T13:06:51.874-05:002011-09-06T13:06:51.874-05:00BookGeek, I think it's fantastic that the two ...BookGeek, I think it's fantastic that the two sides of the fiction world are coming together. Like I said, literary fiction isn't <i>bad</i>... it's just not my cup of tea. I love well-written fiction. But I also love plot. That's all I really ask. If literary writers want to juice up their beautiful writing with a little action, that's fine by me. Thanks for including the link!<br /><br />Marcus, :PBrookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09728905100557593958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-12541389492399512262011-09-06T12:49:55.047-05:002011-09-06T12:49:55.047-05:00Oh hey! I found this interesting article and thoug...Oh hey! I found this interesting article and thought of you. It was really informative...and well, welcoming, if you ask me. Take a look and see what you think: <br />http://www.themillions.com/2011/09/why-are-so-many-literary-writers-shifting-into-genre.htmlBookGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620998836239969062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-54361552144368146852011-09-06T12:38:14.312-05:002011-09-06T12:38:14.312-05:00Hmm...I'll just take this as a personal attack...Hmm...I'll just take this as a personal attack. :P Just kidding...but I'm certainly a literary fiction writer.M.A. Morenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08684310715782293880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-76300030003847676722011-09-05T19:33:26.329-05:002011-09-05T19:33:26.329-05:00I like both. I went to school for writing as well....I like both. I went to school for writing as well. Perhaps I was surrounded by a different group of people, but I was always encouraged in my fantasy and scifi writing - it's what I turned in for critiques and final projects. Both types of writing are art forms - they are crafts that an author continuously hones and refines, never calling anything perfect because to do so would declare him or herself exactly what he or she despises. I think it's everyone's free right to like what they want...and well, I like both. And I've read plenty of books where the two come together perfectly.BookGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620998836239969062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-24643612092074055462011-09-05T18:54:27.887-05:002011-09-05T18:54:27.887-05:00I wasn't sure if I knew where you were going u...I wasn't sure if I knew where you were going until this:<br /><br />"Yes, writing is an art. Yes, writing can be for the benefit of the author. It can contain symbolism, metaphysical monkey-doo, author intention and commentary and beautiful prose. But a book, no matter what kind, must do one thing:<br /><br />Entertain."<br /><br />There, I was done and in total agreement. And yes, I would find the adventure very fun. By the way, I look forward to hearing your progress as you work that tale into a fantastic novel.Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-19225404779079630442011-09-05T15:19:27.937-05:002011-09-05T15:19:27.937-05:00Another person who agrees with you! I'm bored ...Another person who agrees with you! I'm bored by stories that are just about people learning things about themselves by talking a lot. I want battles, intrigue, mystery, explosions, robots, magic, and anything else that gets me to keep turning pages. But I'm pleased to see more literary fiction authors taking on genre tropes, because I've enjoyed (most) books in that vein that I've read, and I've seen most others be well-received.<br /><br />Definitely agree about knowing your audience, though, and am just as frustrated with the snobbery against genre writers. Really, is it that bad of us to have fun and <i>sell</i>? The snobbery's one of the reasons I'm very hesitant to attend any formal writing workshops or classes, because I'm afraid of running into those types.<br /><br />As for your questions at the end? I write for geeks who like laughing, and for people who like their tropes a little sporked and twisted. Books definitely need to entertain first, be metaphoric second, or if I've even picked them up, I'm likely to stop reading. I like my symbolism and messages subtle.Anassahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11554524219883438465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6061380174371002029.post-63694514056347803172011-09-05T10:51:03.838-05:002011-09-05T10:51:03.838-05:00Oh, wonderful post! I kept shouting "yes, yes...Oh, wonderful post! I kept shouting "yes, yes, yes" as I read it. I guess it's the difference between being a writer and a storyteller. I fall into the second camp. Heck, not a camp, but a full-fledged dwelling with stone ramparts!Darby Karchuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03438062835557638468noreply@blogger.com