My name's Andra and I write genre fiction.
Quite a while back I read an interview with
award-winning Aussie novelist Gary Disher who, among
When asked how he felt about being classed
as a crime writer he replied that he'd prefer to be just called a
novelist. He went on to say he would
prefer that, at writing festivals, writers weren't divided into genres, as if
all they could write was in that particular area and have nothing to contribute
to panels in wider areas.
In principle I completely agree.
But it got me
thinking. Had he espoused this sentiment
before he was tarred with the genre brush? Does he really feel all writers are
created equal and should be seen/treated that way, or does he actually believe
there is more 'merit' in being a
'writer' rather than a 'genre writer and maybe his new title was a come-down in
his perceived status and/or credibility?
We all crave recognition of our efforts and
for any success that may come our way. For me
it doesn't matter that not everyone sees genre writers as less credible
or less worthy of the 'writer' mantle.
As far as I'm concerned, if we write
anything and write consistently, we are writers. What we write should
not define us, nor should it diminish the value of our efforts or successes. If
those who need to judge must have a criteria then perhaps it should be numbers
of books sold = the number of people who love what we've
produced – oh, but then the genre writers would come out on top.
I love my chosen genre. I love the stories, the writers, our network;
the way we support, encourage and celebrate each others successes and
commiserate with disappointments. I'm
proud of what we bring to the readers and to the writing community. I don't love the way the genre has been, and
occasionally still is, belittled in the media and (sadly) by non-genre writers.
I don't know how, or why, this 'class
distinction' evolved but it did, and it's still here. Stephen King said that he
felt his detractors took their position because he appealed to too many people.
He was too popular. That certainly could be the case – those who can, sell lots
of books, do. Those who can't, try to
convince everyone that it's somehow a badge of honour to be less popular.
But while it may boost some authors' egos
to be seen as (in posh voice) 'a writer', do the people that really count – the
readers – apply labels? Surely they just see good or bad writing, stories they
love or don't.
I know as romance writers we are proud of
our work and proud of the worldwide popularity of our multi-faceted genre. I'm
interested to know whether you see yourself as a 'writer', a 'romance writer'
or is there, in fact, no distinction?
(Post previously published on the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild blog)
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5 comments:
Ah, yes, the old dividing line between genre fiction and a "real" book. When I first started writing seriously, I was asked by a loving family member, "when will you write a real book?". And after I was published, I was asked by an acquaintance, "when will you write something...else?". Based on the conversation and the person's reaction when I'd told them what I wrote, they'd been about to say "better". But writers grow a hard shell if we are to survive and so I let the comments roll off my back, take names, and get my revenge in my next book, . Upon meeting someone, I say I'm a writer. If further interest is expressed, then I write fiction. Sometimes the eyes glaze over at that point and we move on, but usually the person delves deeper and then I say I write romantic fiction. Well, I'm sure you've all been there - awkward pause, nervous laugh, 50 shades comment. Fun times.
Good question, Andra. I consider myself a writer first, and what I write is secondary. But I support the idea that romance fiction, and kid lit and all the other categories and genres, is just as important as literary fiction.
If someone asks me what I do, I tell them I'm a writer. If they then ask what I write, I tell them: paranormal romance novels. I might have gotten some strange looks and questions as to what paranormal is, but so far no one's snubbed me for that. Most of them congratulate me for being published.
Maybe I'm just hanging around the right people. :)
Great post Andra. I'm an author (when people ask what I do). And if they ask what I write, I do tell them I write romantic women's fiction or romantic fiction or maybe non-fiction as I do that also. My answer does depend on with whom I'm talking. But, yes, I've had the wrinkled nose response as if writing romance is "less than." I've also had the response Stacy McKitrick has had and that feeds my writing author soul along with my own personal need to tell stories.
Ever fiction genre has it's snobs. If you write mystery or thriller you are considered "better than" those who write cozies. If you write women's fiction you are considered better than those who write romance. If you write hard SF, you are considered better than those who write "soft" SF. If you write saga fantasy you are better than those who write magic books.
There was a time I had a penname because I was so afraid if my colleagues found out I wrote romance books, my tenure wold be denied. Even though my tenure was not in English or Creative Writing, but in Education and Technology, I was still afraid. It wasn't until after I got tenure that began to share what I wrote. It was a 50/50 split as to those colleagues who admitted to reading romance and those who wondered how I suddenly went from smart to vapid or stupid.
Interestingly, outside of a few people who claim to "only read literary fiction" I would say that 98% of my friends read genre fiction--not always romance but definitely genre fiction. I guess we each decide which "realities" are willing to put aside for entertainment.
I write in multiple genres and I choose the hard road in each one of them, never writing down the middle of the genre. As others have said, you either grow a hard skin and move forward with what you love or you leave the writing profession.
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