“Art can and should do a million things. But speaking purely for my own tastes, I want art that makes the world seem more unreal. I want fiction that can crumble the world and build it back into something new. This does not have to be done through a form of non-realism though. Many of my favorite writers—Lydia Davis, Diane Williams, Thomas Bernhard, Joy Williams, etc.—write work that is arguably realist, and yet they write with such originality (of voice, of authority, of syntax, of structure, of vision) that they cause me to see the world in new and surprising ways.”
~Lincoln Michel in conversation with Rebecca Meacham
Read this terrific two-part discussion about literary realism on the Ploughshares blog.
What is it about human nature that we must be able to file people away under certain labels? I read the article and thought my brain would explode from trying to keep track of all the different genres and sub-genres. I can’t think of a single artist in any medium who wants to be defined, categorized or pigeon-holed. There’s a website where you can submit a piece of writing and it will tell you what famous author you write like. I’ve submitted several pieces just for fun and have never been given the same author’s name twice. I never know what genre I’m writing, nor do I even think about it. That’s for sales and advertising-type minds to figure out. I don’t think it’s something we, as artists, should attempt for ourselves or any of our creative brethren. When it comes to art, the best description I would give to any piece is, “It is what it is.”
Right. And that’s his point I think. It’s more interesting and compelling to not be pigeon-holed, but you’re right, it’ mostly a marketing thing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Jayne.
I remember when I wrote for television and my niche was TV-movies, so no one from episodic series would consider me for their shows. There was just no crossover. I could be still feeling the sting from that.
Yeah, that would bug me too. But interesting to write to tv movies! How do you think it has influenced your story writing, Jayne? Are you very plot oriented, for example?
It taught me story structure in a way that carries over to my fiction and, even my essays. Also, pacing, dialogue and yes, I am very plot-oriented, but the plot always comes from theme/character. In TV, I would have to deliver a detailed scene-by-scene outline before being approved to go to first draft. I ended up pretty much writing the whole first draft to figure out the story, then going back and creating the outline to turn in. Fortunately, my outlines were always pretty much approved so I never had to seriously rethink what I’d done.
I’ve often heard it advised that all fiction writers should take a screenplay writing course for the things you just mentioned here, Jayne. Very interesting.
I think my movie, Big Spender, for Animal Planet may still be available on Netflix. I know it’s available on Amazon. It was my favorite, due to my love of horses. I got to combine my two passions, horses and writing on that one.
Very cool! I’ll have to look for it sometime. : )