Comments on: Literary vs. Pop Fic

By: Carol Collett

Carol Collett — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:25:46 +0000

I’ve always wondered why we have to maintain ‘class’ distinctions everywhere in life? To those who argue literary writers are better at language, read Dean Koontz. He uses figures of speech in the most fresh and amazing ways. Didn’t this craft/calling of fiction start out centuries ago with storytellers and minstrels?
Okay, off my soapbox now.
Carol, back to watching for the UPS truck which is delivering my Alphasmart today…

By: Kaye Dacus

Kaye Dacus — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:18:33 +0000

I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of most modern literary fiction. I've tried reading award-winning books only to put it down after a chapter or two and forget to pick it up again (e.g., The Thirteenth Tale). But I love classic literature (you all know my favorite) and am even making my way through Tolkien, expanding my horizons and my vocabulary (literally and figuratively). I'm also reading a lot more nonfiction these days, and choosing works that are a little more literary in flavor, such as Sue Monk Kidd's Firstlight or collections of Madeleine L'Engle's essays.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:25:24 +0000

I’m guilty of reading for entertainment My problem with Lit. Fic. is I just get bored while reading it, so I don’t read it.

And I ran into the problem, when looking at schools, of finding one that focused on Pop Fic. So many of the programs did offer anything I was looking for because it was a big focus on the Literary. Oh well. I never say one is better than the other. Each has their merits, but for me, I like Pop. Fic.

By: Georgiana Daniels

Georgiana Daniels — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:38:51 +0000

I’m all about indulging in the base desire for entertainment! Totally in agreement that pop and literary can learn from one another, and blend into something beautiful AND entertaining. Great post!

By: Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:01:27 +0000

I always figured Literary Fiction was what I HAD to read in school, and Popular Fiction is what I wanted to read on my own time.

I love pop fiction, and I love words and beautiful language. The wonderful thing is…pop fiction and literary fiction aren’t mutually exclusive.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:52:01 +0000

Very timely words. I used to get The Writer, but dropped my subscription a couple years ago because of the focus on literary fiction. That’s not what I write, and many of the articles were borderline offensive at the time. I may give it another try next year when money isn’t such a concern.

It is very possible to mold the two together. Dickens and Austen were once considered Popular Fiction. I think any fiction author should take the best of whatever is out there, literary or otherwise, and combine it all to come up with their own unique voice and style. I’m pretty sure I’ve found my voice, and I’m going to do everything in my power to hang onto it, but at the same time I won’t stop learning whatever I can from what I read.

And I won’t stop loving Grisham! So what if he breaks the rules? He tells a great story with wonderful characters. That’s what it’s really all about anyway.