I have a new story appearing online, starting today, on The Saturday Evening Post, for their New Fiction Friday.
Sometimes I see a prompt, and it gives me an idea I fall in love with. That was the case with Hungry. I saw a prompt for “everyday heroes,” and something just clicked.
I hope you enjoy the story, and I’d love to hear what you thought!
Awhile back, I read The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George. The concept is intriguing. A book apothecary recommends books to “cure” people of their ills. Of course, there’s more to the book than that, but that’s the part that’s relevant to this discussion. I looked up some of the books he recommended, and they sounded like literary fiction to me.
What is literary fiction? you ask.
Good question. According to Wikipedia (but this is essentially the answer I’ve seen everywhere):
Literary fiction comprises fictional works that hold literary merit; that is, they involve social commentary, or political criticism, or focus on the human condition. Literary fiction is deliberately written in dialogue with existing works, created with the above aims in mind and is focused more on themes than on plot, and it is common for literary fiction to be taught and discussed in schools and universities.
Literary fiction is usually contrasted with popular, commercial, or genre fiction. Some have described the difference between them in terms of analyzing reality (literary) rather than escaping reality (popular). The contrast between these two subsets of fiction is controversial among critics and scholars. Source: Wikipedia
So, in a nutshell, it’s about analysis vs. escape. I like some literary fiction. And I like lots and lots of genre fiction. I think that, in general, the analysis vs. escape definition fits.
So it got me to thinking if genre fiction ever crosses that line into analysis, and if genre fiction can be as life changing as literary fiction.
I would argue that it can. And in fact, I think young adult fiction tends to do a lot of that.
I realize this is a bold assertion. After all, there are pages and pages dedicated to either people saying “I love YA and won’t apologize for it” and “Adults should be ashamed of reading books made for kids.” Honestly, both sides of the argument are compelling.
But I think that YA is uniquely appropriate for analyzing reality. After all, before they learn that they don’t know everything, many teens are amateur philosophers, solving all the world’s problems. I don’t miss the arrogance and self-centeredness of that time (and I was), but I miss the feeling of having all the answers. Teens are passionate about issues because they haven’t gotten to the point where they realize they don’t have time to be passionate about everything they care about. They don’t know how to pick their battles.
I’m not trying to say that all YA books analyze reality, or even reflect it in any meaningful way. But the ones that do can promote some good discussions and make me think about the nature of reality.
Have you ever had a genre book impact your life? What book would you “prescribe” to others?
May is National Mental Health month. If you’ve been a subscriber of this blog for awhile, you know that I’m passionate about destigmatizing and discussing mental health. I like writing about characters who struggle with mental health issues. In fact, I have a novella coming to E&GJ Little Press soon about a man struggling to deal with a mentally ill woman he once loved. Stay tuned…
Memoirs aside, my main problem with mental health in fiction is that it’s not portrayed well. Often times, the mentally ill character is frightening, or a caricature. But I shouldn’t complain, because at least authors are trying to portray these characters in a positive light. We’re all talking about mental illness, which isn’t something we did in the past. But I caution you to use stories as a bridge to discussing mental illness. Don’t assume you know what someone’s going through, just because you read about it. Even if it is accurate, everyone’s experience of mental health is different.
I’ve taken this opportunity to list my 10 favorite books that portray fictional characters with mental illnesses. In no particular order…
If you’ve read any of these, did you like them? Why or why not?
On Wednesday, I’ll post my list of best non-fiction books about mental illness.
Happy Easter, to those of you who celebrate it.
We interrupt this A to Z blogging event for special news!
Read the story! No, seriously… I’m watching you!
Issue # 29 of On the Premises has just come out. For those of you who don’t know, On the Premises has some of the best short stories on the Interwebs (in my mostly humble opinion). They publish both real world and speculative fiction.
Yours truly was the guest writer this month, with a real world story, “Welcome Home.” It’s about a teenage girl who’s mom starts taking in foster children, and how it changes the way she thinks about herself and others.
For this story, I drew from my experience working with children and adults in Child Protective Services and as a therapist.
I hope you enjoy it, and if you do take a look at the magazine, feel free to stop back and let me know what you thought.
On Writing, by Stephen King, is probably one of the best books on writing that any writer can read.
It doesn’t matter if you like Stephen King’s books; what he has to say about writing applies to everyone.
The book is part memoir, part writing instructions. I like much of what Stephen King writes (I’m a horror fan, after all), but I think that this book would appeal to people who aren’t fans of horror. He talks, at times, about where different ideas for his books came from, which is interesting.
Some of what he talks about is basic (like avoiding adverbs) and some is more advanced, but all of it is a good reminder of how to write better.
This was the first writing book I read. I was doing a lot of reading online, trying to find advice on how to improve my writing. There’s so much writing, and while a lot of the advice is repetitive (like avoiding adverbs), some of it ends up being contradictory. No one can deny that Stephen King is a successful author, so he must know something about what he’s talking about.
I think what struck me most about it was how simple some of the advice was, but what a huge impact it made on me. Not only was it a good book about writing, but it was also entertaining and encouraging.
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid or making friends. Writing is magic, as much as the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink.”
– Stephen King
Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix AZ
Photo credit: Doree Weller
I recently reread one of my all time favorite books from when I was a kid, Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink. Out of curiosity, I went on Amazon and read the reviews of the book, and was a little surprised that people commented that the book was unrealistic. A ten year old and twelve year old get launched on the lifeboat and stranded with 4 babies… of course it’s not realistic… and who cares?
I don’t read books for realism. If I want realism, I go to work, where it’s real every day. If I wanted realism, I’d read or watch the news. (Though it’s debatable how realistic the news is, since they play one story over and over and over and don’t report everything).
Books are an escape to a better time and place. I recently read The Glimmer Palace, by Beatrice Colin. While it was a good book, with well-drawn characters, and ultimately was a compelling read, I felt gypped. The back promised an “orphan girl’s journey from poverty to film stardom, set against the grand backdrop of World War I Berlin, the cabaret era, the run-up to World War II.” What I got was a novel that felt like largely historical fiction. It was gritty and dirty. I learned much about the wars and the poverty, but not very much about cabaret or silent films. The book promised a payoff that (I felt) it never delivered. But the book felt realistic.
Bah! Who needs it?
Some people like realistic fiction, and while I’m all about things making sense in the context of the universe created, I personally want happily ever after. Of course, if I’m reading horror, I want to be scared. I guess I just want to know what to expect; there’s a difference between living up to my expectations and being predictable. I prefer an interesting journey that might make me doubt the destination, but ultimately pays off my expectations.
I don’t like it when reading a book is like expecting to go on vacation to a tropical paradise and ending up on an iceberg. Neither are bad, but if I’m expecting to end up on the beach, I want to end up on the beach. I’d go on vacation to an iceberg, but I’d know what I was going into before I started the journey.
Realism is overrated. Expectation is not.
How do you feel about realism in what you read?
Photo credit: Doree Weller
I have a lot of different books, and enjoy reading a lot of different types of fiction. I might enjoy a book a lot, but that doesn’t mean that the author achieved any greatness. So what’s the difference between a book that achieves greatness and a book that I merely enjoy? Note: these are my opinions, and I don’t like literary fiction, so I’m only talking about genre fiction.
“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” -Hebbel
1. It makes me feel, deeply. If a book achieves greatness, I’m probably laughing out loud in spots and/ or crying in others. It’s a book that makes me connect with my own humanity and the humanity of others.
2. It entertains. I know that some people think that entertainment is overrated, but I don’t. I don’t mean that there has to be juggling clowns, but just there’s a story. If there’s no plot, I’m not interested. It’s why I’m not a fan of literary fiction. Maybe The Red Pony by John Steinbeck is a classic, but it’s also BORING.
3. The language flows and there is a distinct style. This one probably is one of the most basic tenets of writing, but it’s important. Maybe most people won’t know why what they’re reading moves slow or even though something is interesting, it just doesn’t keep them reading, but the reason is probably the writing. Writers have distinct styles, like flavors. They use words in a certain way, and that certain way has a melody to it. A writer can be technically correct, and still not have that flow and distinct style, and I think it takes practice rather than teaching to learn it.
4. The writer is willing to take chances. Great writers don’t just write the same stuff over and over again. They write the different and the unique. They write what they have to write, and not what others have told them. Dean Koontz talks about how early in his career, he was told that he needed to stick to one genre so that he didn’t confuse readers. He gave us more credit than that, and the result is some books that break the rules and that I’ll never forget.
5. They don’t give up. No matter what. Writing is hard work, and people who tell you it’s not have never sat facing a blank screen and then poured themselves out onto it. Even for writers who have achieved greatness, it usually takes getting through rejection after rejection after rejection. But a true writer has the words inside, and nothing can stop the flow. They might get discouraged or angry or depressed. But the words have to come out, so they keep writing and keep submitting.
There’s no recipe for how to achieve greatness, but every book I think qualifies has these qualities. What are your thoughts?
Bahamas… this picture is a mini-vacation.
I’d hit a dry spell with writing for awhile, where I mostly couldn’t think of any fiction. I tried to find ideas for stories… and nothing. I’d try to sit down and write, and it just didn’t work for me.
It didn’t help that I’ve been busy. I started a new job, it’s Christmas, and I’ve been sick. But a funny thing happened the other night while I was making Christmas cookies… an idea popped into my head. I saw these two characters, clear as day in my head. I knew who they were, what they wanted, and why it would be hard for them to be together, even though they wanted to. The beginning, middle, and end came to me. They’re in my head; they talk to me during the day. They tell me their secrets.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had something so compelling in my head, and I’m pretty excited about it. I still don’t have time, but because it’s important, I can find time, even if it’s only 20 minutes. I guess in some ways I’ve been blocked. I’ve been writing blogs, but three years into it, it’s a routine for me. I’ve never quite made the fiction writing part of my life into a routine, probably because it’s more fun than chore.
So I have a new story in my head, and I’m making new friends.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Vancouver, BC; Photo credit: Doree Weller
Most of the people in my life aren’t readers, and they mostly aren’t interested in reading my stories or talking sticky plot points through with me. I’ve come to terms with it, and since I mostly write for myself anyway, it’s okay.
When I submit something for critique, I ask for honest, unbiased feedback because my goal is to be published, not to get a pat on the back or get compliments. My skin is thick, so I can take the negative and channel it into something positive and constructive.
I recently submitted Chapter 2 of the novel I’m editing. Again. I love this story of mine. I love the characters. I love the dialog. And I love the plot. I love everything about it. I recently got three critiques on the story, two of which were helpful. The third person who critiqued me gushed about my story. But it wasn’t just, “Hey, I loved this chapter.” He got specific about what he loved, quoted dialog he particularly liked and told me that my descriptions were great. I struggle with descriptions, so this was so nice to hear! He asked good questions about the story that will help me make it better.
It re-energized me. I’ve started to feel a bit apathetic about writing, and I wasn’t sure why. I think that in part, it was because I’ve lacked any kind of encouragement for so long. I really didn’t even know I was missing it. A little encouragement goes a long way. I guess I need to remember that.
My book club’s pick for September was The Lion is In, by Delia Ephron. I have to admit that I wasn’t overly enthused by this pick. The description seemed weird, and I didn’t expect to like it. Discussing books is fun though, so I got it from the library. After getting it from the library, I set it aside and read something else. Then read something else. To be honest, the only reason I even started it was because it has to get back to the library next week and I didn’t feel like putting it on reserve again. (My library only has one copy, and someone else wants it, so I can’t renew it.)
I started it yesterday, and it drew me right in. From the first scene, I wondered what was going on, and I liked the characters immediately. Tracee and Lana are obviously on the run from something, and Tracee is wearing a wedding dress. They meet up with Rita and break into a bar in the middle of nowhere. Inside the bar is a lion in a cage, who scares the bejesus out of them at first.
The story starts out fast and the characters are likable and interesting. But… the whole story stays pretty superficial. We find out all the character’s secrets and the stories behind their problems, but it didn’t draw me in emotionally. It made me laugh, and I enjoyed it, but I felt like the characters were only partly developed.
I recommend this book, but don’t expect too much from it.
Doree Weller 