Genre fiction - what is it?
According to Wikipedia "Genre fiction, also known as popular fiction, is a term for fictional works (novels, short stories) written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre."
Oh so does that mean formulaic? X + Y = Z?
"By definition, works of a given genre follow, more or less, the conventions of that genre. The American screenwriting teacher Robert McKee defines genre conventions as the "specific settings, roles, events, and values that define individual genres and their subgenres." These conventions, always fluid, are usually implicit, but sometimes are made into explicit requirements by publishers of fiction as a guide to authors seeking publication."
So no there is no formula. There are conventions and they are fluid. In fact if it every story was exactly the same, how boring would that be?
- In a romance, you know it will be about man and woman's relationship, emotional and end up in a happy ever after (HEA).
- In a mystery/detective, the mystery will be solved.
- In a fantasy, the quest will come to an end and will be resolved.
But how you get there is totally up the author. In the end you have to have the goods to have a book published in any literary field (self publishing does not count). And the market is tough whatever genre you write for. So kudos to anyone who can get their book published!
Popular fiction - pah!
You may get this attitude from people. That because popular fiction follows certain conventions that it has no literary merit. Pah to those people. Honestly, I don't care where the story falls in the popular vs literary scale, just as long as it's a good tale.
I will not be shamed in my pursuit writing in the fantasy genre. What is wrong with wanting to make money from doing something you love? Mary Jo Putney at the recent RWAus conference, said 'why would I want to write unpopular fiction?'
With romance getting over 50% of the pie, could naysayers be jealous? Very likely.
Enough with negativity let's celebrate two
of my favourite genres:
Romance and Fantasy.......
Romantic fiction
Romance fiction is not about sex. It's about the relationship between a man and woman, who struggle to recognise and maintain their love. They have to overcome obstacles to have a satisfying happily ever after, thus giving readers a satisfying feel-good read. In fact the one genre that has done well and increased sales in these tough economic times has been romance. People don't want to read about reality all the time. It's a form of escapism and for the time it takes to read the book, there is an immersion into another world (actually that can be said about any fiction) and things work out. Here's a link to the Romance Factor site about Romance sub-genres.Look at my guests this month just to see the variation of romantic fiction:
Historical romance or sagas - Anna Campbell, Anne Gracie, Elizabeth Rolls, Anna Jacobs
Paranormal - see section Romance vs Fantasy
Modern Heat - Anne Oliver
Harlequin Romance - Claire Baxter, Barbara Hannay, Nikki Logan
Desire - Rachel Bailey, Paula Roe
Contemporary romance - Loretta Brabant
See different romances for all....
Fantasy fiction
Now I have always been fascinated with fairy tales, myths, legends, magical abilities...so have always loved fantasy. Fantasy is under the umbrella of Speculative Fiction, which includes science fiction, horror, paranormal, etc.
When you think of Fantasy, what is the first book you think about? Did you say J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings'? This has been selling steadily since it's release in 1954 and it is a true epic fantasy which I love. The movies directed by Peter Jackson have captured it's essence and beauty. The feeling of a whole world different to ours. So rich and complicated in its tapestry just like any world is. No wonder it has stood the test of time, and while the writing may be considered old fashioned now and the narrative long, it is a true classic.Fiction Factor has links to subgenres of fantasy, science fiction and horror....
Some of my favourite authors in fantasy are:
Jennifer Roberson
David & Leigh Eddings - all hail The Belgariad!
Sara Douglass
Traci Harding
JRR Tolkein (of course - wow world-building galore)
and with children's, JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Roald Dahl
In horror - of course Mr Stephen King.
I'm still discovering futuristic and science fiction but I tend to watch more of it- Star Treks, Stargates, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Farscape, Babylon 5, Gene Rodenberry's Andromeda...you get my drift :)
Romance vs Fantasy
Why do they have to be pitted against each other? They don't. After all you don't compare an action movie to a comedy?
They are different but there is definitely overlap (as you can see with the subgenre links). Most notably has been the rise of paranormal romance. A huge market has erupted and it was there long before Stephenie Meyer penned The Twilight Saga. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed this series thus far (still to read book 4) and think it's great that teenage girls are reading again. But she didn't event the market. I remember reading on the net a comment the new Vampire Diaries TV series is a rip off of Meyer's books. The Vampire Diaries was published in the early 1990s by LJ Smith, so no, they are not. :PAuthors who are big names in the paranormal romance world are JR Ward (The Black Dagger Brotherhood), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters), Christine Feehan (Dark Series), Maggie Shayne (Wings of the Night), NZ author Nalini Singh (Psy/Changeling Series)....and many more.
My guests this month who write paranormal romance include
Keri Arthur (Nikki and Michael series; Damask Circle series)
We can also add to the list those more leaning towards Dark Urban Fantasy (romance isn't central & not guaranteed HEA)
Keri Arthur (Riley Jensen Guardian series)
Erica Hayes (Shadowfae Chronicles)
Tracey O'hara (Dark Brethren novels)
....and these are just my guests this month.
And then there's the Fantasy blend with erotica and romance - Denise Rossetti (Four Sided Pentacle series).
Big Old World
See a big wonderful world where there is romance, fantasy, and a combination that can all live in harmony. I like that. No let me rephrase.... I LOVE that....
I've only scraped the surface. Romance is huge. Fantasy is huge. Cross-genres are huge. And now that I'm reading more, I'm looking forward to catching up on books that CFS interrupted when I had to slow down. I've repeatedly mentioned on this blog how huge my TBR piles are. So many books to read, so little time....
My Worlds
So what do I write? Well I say fantasy with romantic elements, but I do have a couple of paranormal romances in the works too.... So Fantasy and Paranormal fiction...how does that sound?
My main focus has been on the epic fantasy, but I've enjoyed writing short stories in the past and have had a few published - some fantasy, some with paranormal elements, some contemporary. Each has developed me as a writer. And I keep growing and learning.
I have high fantasy settings where magic is normal, dragons are near extinct, and others where people from our world stumble into unknown parallel worlds. I also have contemporary settings where a magic lives with our own lives and others where the supernatural world is hidden.
I did Rowena Cory Daniells' Worldbuilding workshop at the conference and had a blast. Can't wait to pour over her notes again once Eleni-fest is over.
Inspiration everywhere....as you can tell I'm abit of an art fan (love the visual) and fantasy art reflects the majesty of this genre. Like the below -wow!
So much to write, so little time....
Now to celebrate my love of fantasy, I have a fantasy pack to give away to one lucky commenter (magnetic mermaid photo frame, fairy bookmark, dragon pen, and fairy catching system, and a fridge magnet). Just tell me what your favourite genre is and why? Easy enough.
The comments will be open until the end 24th October.
Comments are now closed. Congratulations Linda Henderson!
Comments are now closed. Congratulations Linda Henderson!
Good luck!
~yia~
11 comments:
My favorite genre is definitely paranormal. I like the darkness that these books have as well as the action. The characters are strong and get to deal with interesting and unique individuals.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Hey Joder - yes paranormal definitely has the dark action and you do meet some very interesting characters along the way ;)
My favorite would be contemporary romance followed by paranormal. I enjoy the romance and happily ever after of a regular romance book and I also enjoy the romance and mystery and intrigue of the paranormal. I particularly enjoy ones with shapeshifters or people with psychic abilities. I also read historical, erotic and fantasy. I really read just about everything.
Hey Linda - a good story is a good story isn't it. I love reading all sorts of books too. I too enjoy a HEA.
I'll put in my vote for urban fantasy, of course :)
I love PR but UF adds that something extra -- generally more plot elements, more points of view -- and it usually focuses on the heroine, which I enjoy.
And the darkness is more real -- you're never sure what the ending will be, or if the hero is truly the hero. Mucho interesting :)
UF? Are you sure Erica (*wink*)
And yes I agree the appeal of UF is the focus on the heroine & the mucho interesting idea that not everything is as it seems including the hero.
I prefer a combo of UF and paranormal romance as my first preference in genre reading. Before discovering the romance genre in general I was strictly sf/f but found I really leaned towards authors who included the elements of a romance within their plot eg. Anne McCaffrey.
I do like the UF focus on plot but there are times I like the romance to equal out or be as strong as the plot and have a HEA, so that tips the scales in favour of PR.
The idea of strange and wonderful worlds certainly appeals to me - as a reader and writer - it's like going to another country and learning about their customs & culture - the unfamiliar with the hint of the familiar :-).
UF & PR - live it, breathe it, love it.
Hey Kylie - yes I enjoy having romantic elements woven into the plot too. I like that analogy of fantasy worlds being like other countries & learning about customs etc.
Favourite genre? Singular! You've got to be kidding LOL! Nah. Nope. Nada happening. Can't do it.
I describe myself as a reading omnivore and love all forms of genre. I think I'll make a stance and say I'm a Genre Reader. Depending on my mood depends on whether I go for a crime/thriller, an UF (the darker the better) or a horror or an outright warm, fluffy older children's style book.
Can't think of anything that especially leaps out at me that is non-genre. Whether the authors agree with that title is a whole other comment/posting place.
Coming late to the idea of Romance in books I can relay the day I discovered that Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters were in the romance section of the store (had been getting them via a library). I remember sending a text going - what the? to a number of friends - thought she'd be in horror or fantasy. Ah the joys of marketing & categorisation.
I enjoy my popcorn books as much as books that can have a profound influence on me from the start (but saying that - what's to say popcorn can't be profound).
Oh. And....mermaids rule ;)
Nicky - LOL - reading omnivore - that's a classic. Love it! As for SK's books, I'm not surprised they are in the romance section at all since they are more PR - those cross over genres are in all sorts of spots in libraries and bookstores. Though one of the Dymocks stores I've been to has a Paranormal Romance section now. Shows its popularity.
Go the mermaids!
Thank you to everyone for commenting. Loved all your answers and I turned to my trust random name generator to choose. The winner of the pack is Linda Henderson.
I have your details so will be sending you the Fantasy Pack once I get organised.
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