Comment

Comment by Susan Barrett Price on July 19, 2010 at 10:56am

New member intro: I joined this group because I noticed that my Memoir group had 600+ members and Literary Fiction had only 24. I published a novel DIY/indie because I'm old and because I thought it would be fun (it was). My current project is literary in that I am adopting certain postmodern tropes... no, wait, because it explores the deep conflict inherent in... no, because I love using beautiful arcane words without having to define them... Oh, just kidding (and all of the above). I live at www.madinpursuit.com.

Comment by Tina Deschamps on July 17, 2010 at 11:00am

Christine,

I would be interested in doing weekly exercises. At first, I thought it would interfere with my current revision work, but then I realized that I can use the exercises to delve into different aspects of my novel. I don't have a copy of Naming the World. Do you think it is necessary for me to buy one, or are you willing to post the exercises online (is that legal?).

Comment by Patricia Anne Panahi on July 16, 2010 at 1:55pm

Tina,
My main character is female and she does grow and change in Iran. And this is a book geered to a female audience, so I guess I'll stick with Women's Fiction. Thanks for the advice.

Comment by Tina Deschamps on July 16, 2010 at 1:40pm

Patricia,

Women's Fiction is far easier to sell than literary fiction. Many books fall into more than one category, so when you are marketing, you should consider pitching it in the most lucrative category. Of course, to be accept ed as Women's Fiction it has to meet certain criteria - a strong (and likeable) female lead who is emotionally accessible and ultimately reaches a new level of self-knowledge.

Comment by Patricia Anne Panahi on July 16, 2010 at 12:37pm

In response to Christine, I have found online workshops less than satisfying. I would not recommend anything from Writer's Digest. I do like the online critique site www.critiquecircle.com where you get and receive critiques from writers all over the English speaking world.

Comment by Patricia Anne Panahi on July 16, 2010 at 12:35pm

I have written a novel about a young American forced to grow up on Iran and fight for the right to make her own life choices. I have been wondering whether it is mainstream or literary or should I call it Women's fiction. It is done and I am sending it out to agents.

Comment by Dangerous Old Woman on July 14, 2010 at 5:43pm

Hello, gals...
I've been writing and publishing literary fiction and essays for quite a few years. I've also taught writing workshops here and there, and spent one miserable year teaching at the U. of Nevada at Las Vegas, where nothing I could do would stop my students from writing vampire stories. 8=]
Someone asked about literary vs. commercial fiction. Literary fiction is loosely defined as "character driven" while commercial fiction is "plot driven" although both types may, and often do, contain elements of the other. Another way to define the difference is that if the book or story doesn't fit easily into a genre such as mystery, fantasy, thriller, romance, etc. it may be literary. If all this sounds a little vague it's because often there is no clear demarkation. I'd suggest reading a few literary magazines - many are published online and are free. Google 'literary magazines' and you should get a bunch. I think that's the best way to learn what 'sounds literary', as someone said earlier.

Comment by Tina Deschamps on July 14, 2010 at 4:59pm

Christine,

Have you checked out Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver? Even though I've moved to Oregon, I'm still a member and occassionally attend their yearly retreat in Grand Lake. Fort Collins is a little far to attend weekly workshops, but you might want to check out their Saturday intensives. Their website is: www.lighthousewriters.com.

Comment by Alle C. Hall on July 13, 2010 at 5:32pm

Thanks so much, Christine. It frustrates me to no end that a lot of agents like my writing but think it is a) too dark, and/or b) too heavy. But I am so funny, I counter. All this to say, how refreshing to encounter a reader interested in going the same direction.

Where do you live, by the way. Maybe I could come teach.

"Rejection" is a great class to teach b/c the students are always very serious about their work and very open to learning. The truth is, the best way to get better is to get feedback; and you can't do that without risking rejection.

Alle

Comment by Alle C. Hall on July 12, 2010 at 7:17pm

Hello, everyone from your newest member: Alle C. Hall.

My name is pronounced like the narrow road behind the hotel: alley. Except it's spelled "Alle."

The photo to your left is a zygote. I write to explore childhood. Everything I did or did not experience as a child manifests in everything that is or is not going on in my life today. It therefore manifests in the lives of my children. Worth considering. I completed a novel, got an agent, got dumped, and this saturday, will teach the class 'Rocking The Rejection." Lemonade, anyone?

My most recent publication is not fiction, but in case you want to checfk me out:

(http://www.thisgreatsociety.com/11/thoughts_and_analysis/the_buddhi...)

"The Buddhism of Baseball" is an essay that has not as much to do with baseball as it does with learning to love and be loved.

I look forward to getting to know you and your work.

Alle C. Hall

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