Comments on: I Write Romance, Wanna Make Something of it?

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:38:03 +0000

I recently read The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird because I hadn’t before (yes, I’ll admit it). I loved TKAM and TGG was well written but can’t say I loved the story.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:21:42 +0000

Dru/Nikki – I loved HP… And Joe – I love the Great Gatsby. See, it just goes to show people are different… and THAT’s good!

Sorry about the food cue Jaye… I really was stirring risotto when I was reading though… my hubby thinks I’m crazy….

Shel – I think the world decides if your writing is literature, not you. (LOL) But if you like her mysteries, maybe let her think….

And Elizabeth, Thanks for letting me vent…. I love your romances!

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:54:02 +0000

I go with Harry Potter as well…tried to not read it for years and then finally gave in to the audiobook — which was outstanding and I couldn’t stop listening!

By: Shel

Shel — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:34:20 +0000

Imagine me standing up and cheering! Thank you Lynn, you echo my own sentiments on the matter. Recently I was dismayed to read a favorite author’s take on her own work. She insists she writes “literature” instead of “genre”. Notice I said I’m a fan. I’ve read everything I could get my hands on by her. They aren’t literature, they’re mysteries!! Ok, they’re GOOD mysteries, with a lot of “important” social stuff thrown in, but they’re STILL mysteries!
She made it out to be that genre writers were “hacks” and her writing was too good for that…which was and IS absolute BS. She lost a lot of my respect with that rant – not that it would mean anything to her to know that.

By: Lily

Lily — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:03:57 +0000

This is a common theme among all writers. I wrote my own response to Eileen Dreyer’s CNN article in May and touched on many of the same themes as you have here, Lynn. I have also struggled with the issue of literary v. genre v. mass market. Here’s my take on it if you’re interested: http://everwriting.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/resurfacing/ ‎
Also, you might want to have a look at Dystel & Goderich’s blog: http://dglm.blogspot.com/2010/07/from-vault-literary-v-commercial.html
and of course, Eileen Dreyer’s article – I believe this was brought up in RWA loops.
My favorite “I couldn’t read this book even if you paid me” is The God of Small Things. The writer foreshadows every bad thing that is going to happen to the characters and I did not want to read any more about how barbaric and vicious we can be – I already know that.
Thanks for this post, Lynn. We need to say it and hear it. The genre is irrelevant – if it’s good, it’s good.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:36:27 +0000

I had a lengthy, opinionated reply in the cue when the power blinked. I’ll take that as God and nature telling me to keep it to myself.

In short: No category of fiction is superior or inferior to any other. Comes down to the craftsmanship and talent of the writer. To a degree, skill and talent are subjective. But to a degree, they aren’t.

I was required to read that timeless American classic, The Great Gatsby.

Amazing book. I hated it.

By: Jaye

Jaye — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:40:36 +0000

Um…now, I’m hungry. Actually, I think I read that How To book, or one like it. Of all the novels I’ve been required to read, none sticks out in my mind. Not even the famous ones. What I do recall are the lovely Romances that carried me to far away places and into other realms of wonder. For me, it’s all about the relationship. Those are the novels I chose to write. So, yes, it’s all about our own choices. Great post, thanks!

By: Dru

Dru — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:33:42 +0000

The one book that I had to pick up because everyone else was reading it was “Harry Potter” and I really tried, but did not finish. The one book that I did read because everybody was reading it and absolutely loved was “The Help.” I’ve told others about it and they have gone on to read it.

I read what I like and no one can make me read what I don’t like.

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:58:33 +0000

I’ve seen my share of looks when I say I write romances…but I dismiss it. Romance is the best selling genre fiction for a reason. Translated, people buy it because they READ it. I don’t mind riding that wave.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:57 +0000

Carla -I want to support the Twilight series, she’s from Utah – just miles away from home for me – Idaho, but I read two and stopped. Now the Olympian series from Rick Riordan, I loved. I borrowed the last book from a fourth grade son of a co-worker. LOVED it! Maybe your Star Wars son woul like them as well?

Aislinn – I’ve been writing for the true confessions lately and have to admit, I loved those puppies when I was growing up. I’d steal them from my mom’s stash. It was pretty purple back then… (grin)

I love those lists of must read books. Now that I’m older, the lists are getting longer. And don’t get me wrong. John Gardner is one of the greats in how to write fiction books. And yeah, the timing is probably part of the reason he spotlighted women’s fiction. But the stigma between literary and genre writing hasn’t gone away.

Thanks for stopping by.