What genre do you write?
I'm guessing you've heard that question more than a few times. Is there clear cut definition for the genre you prefer? If so, you're blessed. ; )
Of the three genres I write--one is very clear cut (devotional), one has several sub-categories (Science Fiction), and one is all over the place (women's fiction).
It's the definitions of Women's Fiction that give me a headache. Many start with, "written by women for women readers." Do you know of any genres that are defined as "written by men for men readers?" This definition frustrates a lot of women's fiction writers.
One of the best places to get a feel for this is at Amy Sue Nathan's Women's Fiction Writers. Juliette Fay has a great take on this problems in her interview at Women's Fiction Writers. Juliette's latest book, THE SHORTEST WAY HOME has a man as the main character and is still classified as women's fiction.
"But maybe there’s a different question you’re asking: how does the gender of the writer affect the way a book is labeled, regardless of the gender of the main character. If that’s what your wondering, and if I’m being completely honest … I think that if someone in possession of a set of testicles had written this book, it would be called general fiction. After all, it’s not just about a man—it’s about a single man with no children. But since it’s ultimately a family drama, and I have ovaries, it’s called women’s fiction."
Her definition of the genre is "I think of women’s fiction as family drama, and I wish they’d use that label instead. But the women’s fiction label doesn’t really bother me, because a rose is a rose. Happily, there are a lot of people who want to read family drama/women’s fiction—and, hey, I’m here to help."
One of the issues with a gender based definition of a genre is the assumptions that books in the genre won't seriously written or about deep topics. That's a shame. I've read a lot women's fiction that deal with abuse, family disruption, life-threatening illness, and relationships among family members, both male and female.
What's you opinion on genre definitions that take into account the gender of the writer? Is is fair?
I agree that it's a shame some things are written off based on such assumptions. I write science fiction, and I've had people who hear that go "Oh, I prefer things that could really happen." Never mind that plenty of science fiction in the past has predicted new technologies and the development of societal problems. I also have people assume that characters aren't important in the stuff I write, when the opposite is true. We all have genre preferences, but it's a shame when people form opinions about a genre without ever really giving it a chance. I think gender based distinctions do the same kind of disservice, because it limits the readers and writers who might have something to contribute or who might gain something from reading these works.
ReplyDeleteL.G.,
DeleteHow right you are! My SF is leaning toward SF Romance, but why doesn't that count among the "hard" SF folks or the ones who will read Restoration Romance? We are dividing ourselves to bits. Add the gender-based choices and readers are really short changing themselves.
Thanks for the comment.
For a couple of weeks now I've been thinking that mine might be New Adult, but now I'm not so sure. That genre seems to be focused entirely on modern stories set in kids' college-age years. Historicals can't be New Adult it seems... It would be easier if, when querying, agents decided on the genre. It's hard to pigeonhole certain books!
ReplyDeleteThat's my problem with FRIENDLY FIRE. By many definitions it's women's ficiton, but I can see a much broader readership if men are included in the marketing. On we go, Deniz. We just have to write what we see and let the genre sort itself out later.
DeleteYou told me that my writing was women's fiction. LOL I have been told too many times that I write like a man. Too many men have read and enjoyed my books for it just to be classified as women's fiction. It is just too segmented in my belief or possibly not segmented enough. In self publishing, how do you segment for publication? I know Diana hates that her books are classified as women's fiction. Where do you draw the line?
ReplyDeleteJo,
DeleteYou've read my mind. I think the slicing and dicing of genre for the benefit of marketing is self-defeating. Maybe, self-publishing will help, but then again you have to target your marketing for that too.
This is my frustration with the genre of women's fiction, too. Apparently, that's what I write, though that was never my goal. But because my books tend to have "issues," (though, don't they all?) and family drama, poof, they're women's fiction. It's irritating.
ReplyDeleteI know, Robin. I've searched for a more inclusive genre, but the issues and family drama seem to have me stereotyped. It is irritating and frustating.
DeleteThe best definition of women's fiction was given by Deb Raney, who writes WF. "Women's fiction revolves around issues of the heart and women's issues, and may contain romance, either married or single." That's it in a nutshell.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good one. I still think we write a subgenre of general fiction and we would get more traction if we were marketed that way.
DeleteSo what genre do I write? How I have struggled with this question, finally using "women's fiction." I think "family drama" more nearly defines it, but I'm still struggling. Thanks for the discussion, which does move me a bit further down the road.
ReplyDeleteAnn Gaylia O'Barr
I've struggled with this too, hence the discussion. ; ) I'm going with family drama, too, since that gets folded into women's fiction.
Delete