Re:Chick Lit Rant - 08/26/2006I think the problem for me is that there is already a genre associated with similar material, if not settings. From reading the article a couple of times, I get the feeling that a romance novel fits completely within the standards set by the author, if we move the setting into the 20th century. That being said, I think the biggest problem the article gave me was the categorizing of the genre, by the author, and then jumping into a "persecution complex" mode. I found the article itself, in spite of the above, to be informative.
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antryg
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Re:Chick Lit Rant - 08/26/2006When you said "Then again, who even invented the term "Chick Lit"? ", you framed the problem. A female writer, complaining about the genre not being taken seriously, uses the demeaning term "chick lit" to label the genre.
When I look at my shelves of books for casual reading, one thing really stands out. In those cases where I have multiple selections by an author, almost 2/3 of them are by female writers. When I look at the cd's I've bought in the past couple of years, once again they are by female artists. The reason for this is simple. I like the perspective and emphasis that women bring out in their work.
However, my reading interests do not extend to contemporary fictional stories. Pleasure reading for me is an escapist activity. I want to escape a little farther than what I see on the TV, in the news or next door. Unfortunatley, this narrow range seems to define what is labeled as chick lit. Yet doesn't Charlaine Harris deal with the same relational issues, the same character conflict and development in a Sookie Stackhouse novel? Is the fact that the boyfriend is a vampire instead of an accountant that much of a difference?
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helene
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Re:Chick Lit Rant - 08/26/2006I don't think women's fiction is "under attack". However, I don't think that it is respected. It's a real shame because there are some good ones out there. But it seems that the ones that get attention are really, really horrible, not worth reading in the first place.
Then again, who even invented the term "Chick Lit"? (Jimmy, get on Brent's computer and research this, please.) How will it ever gain respect when that's what it's called? The last time I checked, women don't like to be called Chicks (even though I really like that song that says "chick" a lot - I have no clue what the name is.) Oh, and just a note: It is NOT funny to call women's fiction "PMS Reads". (Are you one of the folks who call this genre by this awful name? Read this: http://www.4-men.org/testosterone/pms.html )
But you are right. Books are booed all the time, in any genre, and not everyone will like it. While it isn't fair to "stereotype" against a genre, it also isn't fair for a lover of one particular genre to allow others to believe that their passionate genre is under attack! There is no fire - put away the damn extinguisher!
P.S. - I just KNEW something would come up under this topic. Melody and I were discussing the fact that there are more male members than females at WS!
Post edited by: helene, at: 2006/08/26 07:31
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antryg
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Chick Lit Rant - 08/26/2006I read Laurel Osterkamp's article, Chick Lit: Which Comes First, The Chick Or The Lit? , waited a few days and then read it again. After reading it twice, I've come to the conclusion that I need to rant about it.
It's not that it isn't well written because it was a good article. It tries to define a particular genre of writing which is becoming increasingly popular. It then presents many fact and gives several insights into the genre and how to write within the framework of it. Even if you aren't interested in that topic type, the lessons presented are applicable in other genres of writing as well.
So what's the problem? My problem comes from the defensive manner in which the information is imparted. After reading the article I felt as if the Holy Grail of writing genres was under attack and the faithful must be rallied to defend it.
It's a genre. Some people will like it some won't. Since it is a genre aimed towards women, with womens interests in mind, why make it the reason to start sexual warfare. It isn't a cause of us and them, it is the realization of differences. It's good marketing as well as writing. Define your audience and write for them. Don't write in English and then publish and distribute in the jungles of Thailand. You won't get a good response.
"Chick lit isn't taken seriously. Chick lit. is demeaned." Well, yeah. My book "Jesus was a Black Man" was demeaned and ridiculed at the Klan Rallies where I tried to sell it. What do you expect? Don't set up an us versus them situation. Instead focus on your audience. Do a good job and sometimes those who scoff become fans and the demographic grows.
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Melody and I were discussing the fact that there are more male members than females at WS!