05-06-09 Literary Fiction, open chat
The transcript below covers the complete #litchat conversation on May 6, 2009. The order appears sequentially from the first post to the final post. Topic was open discussion of literary fiction.
| LitChat Welcome to LitChat. We’re continuing our talk about literary fiction. You can read transcrpt from Mon http://www.litchat.wordpress.com. #litchat -1:01 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 I’m here! Let’s go! Bring on the LitQuestions! #litchat -1:01 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat Q1: If literary fiction is the literature that sticks around for the future, why don’t more people read it today? #litchat -1:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat I’m in the TweetChat room, which had some issues on Monday. I’ll follow chat directly on Twitter and RT any missed tweets. #litchat -1:03 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 oooh good question. I think that it takes time for people to realize the greatness in a work. #litchat -1:04 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 And more time still for those people to band together to make what is currently obscure popular and then timeless. #litchat -1:04 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Nobilis @LitChat #litchat Dickens was the “popular” fiction of his day. Pubbed in magazines, read by everyone. -1:04 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @litchat question maybe for later… why does literary fiction so often win prestigious awards yet so hard to get published? #litchat -1:05 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 I think it really has to do with the Marketing of the product. Literary fiction is not promoted on the same level. #litchat -1:05 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @corb21 I agree itisoftenwhen people have read lots of reviews etc that they choose to read the book to find out what they’ve misse #litchat -1:06 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Nobilis @litchat #litchat You can’t predict what will be remembered and revered and what won’t. -1:06 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Hi all. @litchat, love this question. Is it not marketed at same level b/c readers are lazy and just want happy endings? #litchat -1:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat @jdistraction On Monday we discussed the difficulties of publishing lit fic. Check out the chatscript http://www.litchat.wordpress.com. #litchat -1:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @shellshock62 I agree, the marketing often makes the book…but, typically lit fic isn’t pushed as hard on the masses. #litchat -1:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
thebookmaven I’m being a bit of a “printer’s devil’s advocate” with last question, I’ll admit…  #litchat -1:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 I agree that often readers are looking for a quick, fun read. Don’t want to really think, just enjoy. #litchat -1:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @thebookmaven I think it’s not marketed at the same level because it’s not what the masses want. #litchat -1:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @thebookmaven Also think lit fic is harder to market because it’s so varied. Genre fiction is easier to target. #litchat -1:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @shellshock62 no but word of mouth from people who have read the book must help.I’ve read lit fic recommended by this way #litchat -1:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 @corb21 that’s what I mean. The publishers and publicist are not pushing lit fiction. #litchat -1:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 @VanessaDobbs Word of Mouth is good, and a wonderful way to learn about new books, but it still limits exposure. #litchat -1:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jdistraction Good point. But again, is that b/c readers are lazy, or publishers? Or both? Neither? #litchat -1:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @shellshock62 As a publicist, with more than one lit fic type title…it’s also VERY hard to push on readers. #litchat -1:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 Forums like #litchat are good, because this is a Mass “Word of Mouth” platform to help promote all types of literature. #litchat -1:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @corb21 I sadly agree. Yet I’ve found that when “masses” do find lit fic they love, incredibly loyal/BIG word of mouth sales… #litchat -1:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs Genre fiction is also easier to get hold of egstocked in supermarkets. #litchat -1:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass Great books connect with readers on many levels. It’s the connection to the human spirit that gives a book a long shelf life. #litchat -1:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @CarolyBurnsBass Lovely! Starring your tweet. #litchat -1:12 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 We’ve become a society seeking instant gratification, which is not always the case with literary fiction. #litchat -1:12 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction Also, I think generally genre fiction is more removed from reality – fantasy, thriller, mystery. I think escapism is big. #litchat -1:12 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @CarolyBurnsBass hear hear #litchat -1:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 Most literary fiction can’t be enjoyed and understood in one sitting. Therefore it doesn’t fit the mold of what many want today. #litchat -1:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BookingIt Many people read to escape, prefer easy route. Series are good for this, because reader knows what they will get. #litchat -1:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @shellshock62 People used to be much more patient about their gratification, at least with reading. #litchat -1:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm re Q1, it’s a combo of things, I’ve most often heard “too long” or “too boring” ex. person reading P&P “sequel” but never the orig #litchat -1:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| darwilli040 @shellshock62 Perhaps a bad analogy, but lit fiction is like a PBS mini series as opposed to one on NBC. You expect more from PBS. #litchat -1:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass @thebookmaven. So true the WOM sales. Books like TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE had quiet sales, then WOM took over. #litchat -1:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @shellshock62 Very well said. People get nervous with stories that require rumination. We’re all so anxious today! #litchat -1:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs many people like myself read differently at different times.Sometimes devour genre fiction particularly when working as escapism. #litchat -1:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction LOL – Twitter psychology at play? Instant gratification = no patience for books? #litchat -1:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 RT @thebookmaven @CarolyBurnsBass Lovely! Starring your tweet. #litchat (Ditto!) #litchat -1:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat If you have a literary fiction question for today’s #litchat, please @me and I’ll post to the chat. -1:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 @corb21 Why do you find it hard to push to readers? What are you finding as a response to why there is little interest. #litchat -1:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @darwilli040 good analogy #litchat -1:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BookingIt My book club is usually happy they read literary fiction, but need motivation of club meeting to sit and read it. Me too, actually. #litchat -1:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jdistraction Dunno. I am big old TweetQueen but also one of world’s biggest readers of litfic. #litchat -1:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @thebookmaven In my experience even that takes a while…not “overnight” success like genre fiction. #litchat -1:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @shellshock62 To be fair, I suppose it’s hard to push to booksellers in order to get it in front of readers. #litchat -1:17 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Someone has got to wrangle this bunch! RT @litchat If u hv lit fic ? for #litchat pls @me & I’ll post to chat #litchat -1:18 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @corb21 errr, a lot of booksellers would like to push litfic but often those aren’t the ARCs we get #litchat -1:18 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @VanessaDobbs Absolutely! I go on mystery binges and thriller binges regularly. #litchat -1:18 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @thebookmaven Think you maybe the (welcomed) exception, not the rule. #litchat -1:19 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @BookingIt If book clubs are adopting it that certainly helps. #litchat -1:19 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm go maven, go! #litchat -1:19 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @balletbookworm Ah-HA. I wondered about this. PRs withholding lit-fic? #litchat -1:19 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @thebookmaven i see a lot of chick lit come in, mysteries, etc., but something like Littell’s LUCKY ONES or SPIVET we didn’t see #litchat -1:20 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @balletbookworm I guess I sent arcs to the wrong booksellers. You want a litfic, DM me your address and I’ll send you a final. #litchat -1:20 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @corb21 ARC’s? #litchat -1:20 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @darwilli040 Love this analogy but as host of PBS-branded web program, know that while much is expected fr PBS, too few WATCH. #litchat -1:20 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs Also helps if picked up by TV bookshows eg Oprah, Richard and Judy #litchat -1:20 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell Popping into the conversation a tad late & trying to get up to speed. #litchat -1:21 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat @jdistraction ARCs are Advance Reader Copies, sent to booksellers, book reviewers and other media outlets. #litchat -1:21 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @balletbookworm I have same problem; some think only WaPoBoWo & NYTBR are “worthy.” Not you, @corb21! #litchat -1:21 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @jdistraction Advanced Reader’s Copy #litchat -1:22 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass So true. Just like litfic. Great content, fewer readers. #litchat -1:22 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @corb21 really? awesome! #litchat -1:23 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BrooksSigler @thebookmaven Well, we of Tweeter think you are the bomb, clearly! #litchat -1:23 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @balletbookworm Yes, really. #litchat -1:23 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @EliseBlackwell We’re solving world’s problems, namely: How do we get more peeps to read and market lit fic? #litchat -1:24 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @BrooksSigler You are warming my tired heart. Thank goodness for authors of lit fic!!! #litchat -1:24 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell On-line, regional, & specialty reviews are increasingly imp. to literary writers as print book reviews shrink/disappear. #litchat -1:25 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @BrooksSigler @thebookmaven yup, bomb-digady! #litchat -1:25 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BrooksSigler @thebookmaven That is the age-old question. I certainly have trouble selling lit fic to my students. #litchat -1:25 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @CarolyBurnsBass So true and so interesting. But want more Antiques Roadshow, less “Hit Man: David Foster & Friends!” #litchat -1:26 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell @thebookmaven = great friend to literary fiction, & the diversification of outlets, reviews, publ may wind up being great for lit. #litchat -1:27 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @EliseBlackwell True. Blog reviews and blog tours more and more important, I think. #litchat -1:27 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell @BrooksSigler I can usually get students to try writing lit fiction by telling them the exercise will help their genre stuff. #litchat -1:28 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @EliseBlackwell Gosh, everyone — talk amongst yourselves. I’m having a moment! #litchat -1:28 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat Q2: Literary fiction has perception of being dry, slow and writerly. What current lit fic books are considered page turners? #litchat -1:29 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BrooksSigler @EliseBlackwell I don’t usually have as much trouble getting students to write it as to read it. #litchat -1:29 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell There are so many interesting things going on in on-line lit (experiments in serialization, etc), but there is zero $ there. #litchat -1:29 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm i think also people are OK with mediocre; they don’t push for more/better in both what they read and write #litchat -1:29 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BrooksSigler Some people have found 2666 to be a page-turner of sorts. But man, there are many pages to turn. #litchat -1:30 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @balletbookworm YES! There’s much more emphasis now on just getting it out there. Authors often have short, strict deadlines. #litchat -1:30 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @LitChat Great question re lit fic page turners. Does DROOD count, or is that genre? I think it’s both lit fic AND genre/thriller. #litchat -1:30 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen maybe takes time for the best to rise to the surface lot of great lit wasn t popular when published #litchat -1:30 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| artepublico @LitChat City of Thieves #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Another lit fic page turner: OSCAR WAO #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @thebookmaven ooh, ooh, DROOD! Read pretty much the whole thing in one shot and drooled all over it, too #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Thandelike who’s doing interesting online serialization of literary fiction? #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs I loved a thousand splendid suns #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BrooksSigler @stujallen Yes, we mentioned that in our discussion the other day–lit fic doesn’t always get recognition in the author’s lifetime. #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LitChat I’m a little late to #litchat, but lit fic isn’t easy, & that’s not 4 every1. Just read The English Patient & felt was over my head -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @balletbookworm What else is droolworthy…hmmmm…any Richard Russo! #litchat -1:31 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen foer and will self both great page turners #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @trishheylady I grew up thinking that was the definition of lit fic… #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm I think Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale falls into the litfic category #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @thebookmaven I LOVE Richard Russo. Definitely on the list. #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell @Thandelike FiveChapters.com for one. They run a story per week in 5 sections, M-F. Not sure about quality longer stuff. #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Alas, have to run. Can’t wait for @eliseblackwell’s Friday #litchat! Have a great evening, everyone. #litchat -1:32 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 …now I know it’s more than that and deeper than that. #litchat -1:33 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 @thebookmaven I’m going to have to take another look at Oscar Wao, I just couldn’t get into it. #litchat -1:33 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| bostonbibliophl Cutting for Stone is a wicked page turner. #litchat -1:33 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @litchat Are ppl reading less lit fiction now or is it just more apparent now that ppl have more choices? #litchat -1:33 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen just got oscar wao looking forward to it #litchat -1:34 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| shellshock62 Great chatting with you guys, but I’ve got to run. #litchat -1:35 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @trishheylady Both, I think. Ppl are reading less because there are so many choices. #litchat -1:35 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @LitChat Cdn bestseller list is mostly CDN literary + US genre fiction. What does that say about Canadian readers/writers? #litchat. -1:35 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BooksOnTheBrain @shellshock62 @thebookmaven I read Oscar Wao with my book club- reviews were mixed but I liked it a lot #litchat -1:36 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass Loved OSCAR WAO, hated SPLENDID SUNS. Both tragic, but WAO had hope, SPLENDID was continually dark. #litchat -1:36 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @LoranneBrown Americans need to escape? #litchat -1:36 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| booksquare @thebookmaven i just like those words: richard russo #litchat -1:36 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @jdistraction So you think it’s too many choices overloads people? #litchat -1:37 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell Book clubs are a great way to read literary fiction, bounce readings off each other, share conflicting opinions. And drink wine! #litchat -1:37 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @jdistraction well, reading less and reading the fluff that is constantly coming out #litchat -1:37 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @CarolyBurnsBass haven’t read Oscar wao.May read on yr recommendation #litchat -1:37 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Chrisbookarama I read Come Thou, Tortoise and it had a happy ending. Not sure if it’s literary fiction though. #litchat -1:38 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell Choice is also a problem w/in books. ~3,500 books are published in the U.S. every WEEK. Hard for a worthy novel to get attention. #litchat -1:38 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @jdistraction Americans need to escape? Sad indictment of society, no? #litchat -1:38 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @trishheylady it prohibits them from thinking for themselves and forces many to become lemming readers #litchat -1:38 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @trishheylady Yes, and we’re fascinated by the latest cool thing… #litchat -1:38 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @EliseBlackwell Yes, book clubs can be a great way to eat through tough material together! #litchat -1:39 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @LoranneBrown Absolutely. #litchat -1:39 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @EliseBlackwell AMEN to that! #litchat -1:39 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @EliseBlackwell Re choice: Good point. Cdn market is smaller, but media more focused perhaps. #litchat -1:39 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jodyreale I wonder if the economy could in some way boost reading in general as a cheap, easy way to entertain oneself. #litchat -1:40 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| darwilli040 @LitChat Proulx & McCarthy were considered litfic prior to movies but now are ‘main-stream’. Seems there is an either/or factor. #litchat -1:40 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mybooktweets @thebookmaven Wow for Oscar Wao and anything Richard Russo. Couldn’t agree more #litchat -1:41 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen i feel that tv book clubs and awards tend to narrow peoples choices to 20 or 30 novels #litchat -1:41 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @EliseBlackwell I definitely feel that way. Overwhelmed by my choices (and how to know what’s really good). #litchat -1:41 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Chrisbookarama @LoranneBrown Do you think there is less CDN genre fic? I can only think of Kelley Armstrong as one. #litchat -1:41 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @jodyreale possibly, at this point the average movie ticket costs more than a MM paperback, but we just have to get them to read it #litchat -1:41 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @jodyreale Indie Bound is trying to do that… #litchat -1:42 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @jodyreale That makes so much sense! I don’t think it’s happening, though. Why? #litchat -1:42 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @corb21 And it doesn’t have to be difficult! But I think it has that reputation. Complaint from bk club: lit fic is so HEAVY & DARK #litchat -1:42 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @darwilli040 does it matter as long as they are read? #litchat -1:42 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @EliseBlackwell Bookclubs are/were one fave way to promote my novel. Wld prefer arena-sized crowds, but only JKRowling can do it. #litchat -1:42 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat Q3 From @stujallen: Who do people feel out of the younger generation of the us writers will go on to be great writer? #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @balletbookworm of course, that’s still MM…which is all in the marketing #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @balletbookworm But a movie is less of a committment… #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen i feel that tv book clubs and some awards tend to steer people to about 20 or 30 novels #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @Chrisbookarama Judging from Cdn writers’ confs, Cdns are writing genre fiction, but may be publishing in US market. #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @CarolyBurnsBass hear hear.But dark,unrelenting depths of sadness,misery, loss,angst w/o hope are often what makes a bk lit fic #litchat -1:43 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @trishheylady I agree RE the reputation…perhaps folks are hesitant for just that reason? #litchat -1:44 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @trishheylady I’ve heard that “heavy and dark” complaint too. And also, too realistic! #litchat -1:44 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Chrisbookarama @trishheylady But it’s harder to discuss light fare. #litchat -1:44 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell Definitely a myth that all lit fic is heavy & dark. So much variety! #litchat -1:44 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @jodyreale I think e-books will help with that, if pubs would lower the cost.It’s crazy an e-bk costs not much less than actual bk. #litchat -1:44 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @jdistraction and less work. People don’t want to work for their entertainment anymore, we expect to be served instead of imagining #litchat -1:45 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @jdistraction but $8.50 for 2hrs you’ll never get back (if bad) vs. $7.99 for at least 3 hrs that you can resell if you don’t like #litchat -1:45 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @stujallen true but introduce you to new authors and then can use if you liked this you’ll love these lists #litchat -1:45 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Chrisbookarama @LoranneBrown I’d like to see more for the CDN crowd but I guess it comes down to the $$$. #litchat -1:45 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @trishheylady I agree much greater difference in music downloads cf CDs #litchat -1:46 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jackiedoss #litchat Just popping my head in here. Are telling me that Kurt Vonnegut is full of angst and unrelenting depths of sadness and misery? huh -1:46 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @balletbookworm True! I hadn’t considered the resale value! Maybe there’s a marketing point! #litchat -1:46 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen wow my question now best give a answer well think there are few but jonathan littell and safran foer both strike me as class acts #litchat -1:47 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @Chrisbookarama Oh, I agree! I told book club (since I founded it) that I want 2 discuss literature. Contemp is fine, but no fluff. #litchat -1:47 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jackiedoss #litchat Would you consider Jasper Fforde litfic? -1:47 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @VanessaDobbs That’s just what I was thinking of. #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| readandbreathe @EliseBlackwell Yes, but I love heavy and dark books the best! #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @jackiedoss Jasper Fforde interesting case. Genre/literary cross-over? #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @jackiedoss Not on the surface, but if you look beneath, it’s pretty angst ridden. Hilarious, but sad too. #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell Great younger lit writers? @EmilyMandel, @MarieMockett, Philipp Meyer, @amymacKinnon all to be watched! #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @stujallen agree re Safran Foer, loved Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close #litchat -1:48 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Chrisbookarama Got to run. Wish I could chat more. #litchat -1:49 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @EliseBlackwell @brookssigler is terrific for chick lit fic #litchat -1:49 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @jackiedoss Jasper Fforde clever but personally I think of litfic as the language working hard. Fforde mainly about jokes. #litchat -1:50 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat @jackiedoss Jasper Fforde is mainstream leaning toward literary. His books draw so much from literature, but are crazy fun. #litchat -1:50 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| susanmpls @trishheylady Told book club I wanted to discuss interesting topics. Read Sophie Kinsella & had gr8 disc. about debt/consumerism #litchat -1:50 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @readandbreathe Hear hear for heavy dark books. But not all litfic IS h&d. #litchat -1:50 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| BooksOnTheBrain @trishheylady That’s my preference too- no chick lit for book club- it’s too easy #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @FlossieTeacake “language working hard” that’s a great definition. #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell @readandbreathe oh, me too! I confess my VERY favorite books are somber, albeit w/ some texture, but def see trend toward playful #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @corb21 Is Chick lit considered literary, mainstream, genre… other? #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @FlossieTeacake True, Fforde mainly about jokes. But you need an expensive education to get them. #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen would foster wallace have forfilled his potental ? #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @jdistraction I suppose it depends on the title. #litchat -1:51 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @susanmpls That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought about it that way. #litchat -1:52 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @LoranneBrown yes, they are very *clever* jokes. But it’s a different facet of the word “literary” he’s exposing #litchat -1:52 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CollectedMisc RT: @LitChat: Q2: Literary fiction has perception of being dry, slow and writerly. What current lit fic bks r page turners? #litchat -1:53 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @BooksOnTheBrain Yeah, & something like Shopaholic would just annoy the heck out of me.I could rant about that, but meh 4 bookclub. #litchat -1:53 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| EliseBlackwell I have to bow out, but I’m looking forward to the whole hour on Friday (when I’ll have childcare!). Meanwhile: happy reading! #litchat -1:53 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jodyreale Right, there must be an opportunity in there somewhere. (And I agree that the cost of eBooks is way too high.) #litchat -1:53 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| darwilli040 @LitChat Interesting article in May issue of Atlantic Journal “How Historical Fiction Went Highbrow”. Somewhat a parallel Fforde. #litchat -1:54 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @CollectedMisc What current lit fic bks r page turners? ALL litfic must be pageturners, or we aren’t published. Can’t be slow. #litchat -1:54 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @EliseBlackwell “Somber but tend toward playful.” Perfect description! Me too! #litchat -1:54 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @CollectedMisc I think both Wally Lamb and Sue Miller (The Senator’s Wife) both write page turners that are deep. #litchat -1:55 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| susanmpls @trishheylady We also read House of Mirth and had a convo about money, priviledge, & changing role of women over generations. #litchat -1:55 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LoranneBrown I don’t think I agree. The English Patient is almost excruciatingly slow, but also made into movie! #litchat -1:56 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen white tiger and black swan green both page turners #litchat -1:56 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown “language working hard” must sustain tension, plot, character, etc. Yes, page turners that are deep. #litchat -1:56 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass @LoranneBrown @FlossieTeacake Education, expensive or not, isn’t required. To really enjoy Fforde, you must be well read. #litchat -1:56 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake Lots of litfic actually v readable. The Wasted Vigil & The Winter Vault (interesting, share an acronym) seem “hard” but aren’t. #litchat -1:57 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @trishheylady I found anil’sghost really hard going aswell #litchat -1:57 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat @EliseBlackwell Thanks for stopping in again today. I can’t wait until Friday. #litchat -1:57 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| corb21 @LoranneBrown Agreed. Well said. #litchat -1:57 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @trishheylady Eng. Patient pre 9/11. Donald Maass has raised the stakes for all of us. Must write “breakout” novels, or TRY. #litchat -1:57 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| susanmpls Literarish mystery writers: Colin Cotterill; Martin Limon; Peter Lovesey; Magdalen Nabb. #litchat -1:58 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @CarolyBurnsBass really enjoy FForde #litchat -1:58 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @LoranneBrown exactly – but you can have tension, plot & character without really fine writing. Cf Dan Brown & co… #litchat -1:58 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat RT @GerrieFerris: Zip, zero, nada. That’s why they’re lit fic. My books have action, sspnse, romnce no one angsts over their angst. #litchat -1:59 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat Final question from @mitaliperkins: Read any lauded “serious” literary fiction for adults with unabashedly happy endings? #litchat -2:00 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @FlossieTeacake Agreed. “but tension, plot & character without really fine writing” = probably not litfic. #litchat -2:01 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @susanmpls as is Steig Larrson #litchat -2:01 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Thandelike @flossieteacake that’s what i cannot abide — plot character theme with dull writing #litchat -2:01 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @LitChat does The Secret Scripture count? Everyone hates the ending for being too happy. #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @LitChat “The Whistling Season” was pretty happy ending, if I recall. #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @Thandelike I agree #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @Thandelike QUITE. #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mizwrite RT @LoranneBrown: @FlossieTeacake Hi! Late to party. But I agree, too: without really fine writing = probably not litfic. #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LitChat “unabashedly happy endings” aren’t REAL, so don’t know if that would be in any LIT fic. #litchat -2:02 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| susanmpls @LitChat hate to be a pain, but… what’s happy? do you mean the girl gets the guy or life goes on and no one is miserable? #litchat -2:03 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm @trishheylady excellent point! the HEA does seem to be an ideal/fantasy #litchat -2:03 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @trishheylady “Happy endings” don’t look at a whole life. Book ends here, tomorrow: what fresh hell is this? #litchat -2:04 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @mizwrite agree, but you can lose one of those & it still works. Character an obvious one: can write good allegory with flat chars. #litchat -2:04 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass I am finally reading THE MEMORY OF RUNNING and hoping for a happy ending for this hapless, but endearing character. #litchat -2:05 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @LoranneBrown exactly – look at rash of sequels to classics (Mrs Darcy’s Dilemma etc.). Readers obsess about what happened next. #litchat -2:06 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown I think happy ending = hope for future. May not work out, but there’s a chance it may. It lingers with us as readers. #litchat -2:06 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LoranneBrown Right. So why do I like happy endings in movies but I pooh pooh them in books? #litchat -2:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen i old but walden has a happy ending maybe life of pi and most of w g sebald books postive #litchat -2:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LoranneBrown A hopeful ending is not the same as a happy ending. #litchat -2:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @trishheylady You’re a realist. You read for truth, movies for escape? #litchat -2:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @trishheylady oooh. Good question. #litchat -2:07 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jdistraction @LoranneBrown I agree. Hopeful is good. #litchat -2:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| jackiedoss #litchat I was certainly happy that Love in a Time of Cholera was OVER. The chars seemed happy at end, after boring me to death thruout bk -2:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| susanmpls hope for future happy endings: Empress of One by Faith Sullivan. Blindness by Jose Saramago. Ursula, Under by Ingrid Hill #litchat -2:08 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LoranneBrown That must be it. I think bks more often provide profound thoughts, & that’s what I want from bks.Movies, not so much. #litchat -2:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass When I think of happy ending I’m thinking an “ah ha” moment come to fruition thru pages of storytelling. Not the fairytale ending. #litchat -2:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mizwrite I read both: lit fic for amazing way with words, pop fic for amazing skill at pacing/storytelling. They rarely cross ovr for me. #litchat -2:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @jdistraction “Hopeful is good.” About as “happy” as you can expect in most litfic. #litchat -2:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @trishheylady also think books explore grey areas a lot more – almost feels a let-down if things tied up too neatly. #litchat -2:09 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @susanmpls I don’t know that Blindness had a happy ending. Abslty it was hopeful, tho. Perhaps the ? shld B: what’s a happy ending? #litchat -2:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| CarolyBurnsBass Some think her overrated, but I think Zadie Smith is terrific. I especially enjoyed ON BEAUTY. #litchat -2:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @FlossieTeacake I agree well put #litchat -2:10 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @CarolyBurnsBass “When I think of happy ending I’m thinking an “ah ha” moment come to fruition thru pages of storytelling.” Agreed #litchat -2:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @CarolyBurnsBass so did I #litchat -2:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @FlossieTeacake Good point. Books can dig deeper where movies have a harder time because of the medium. #litchat -2:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @mizwrite some fabulously plotty lit fic books out there. Pacing different, but real skill forces you to adjust to the book’s pace. #litchat -2:11 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat We’ve cross over our official 1-hour chat time. Feel free to continue the chat, it’s another zesty discussion. #litchat -2:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @CarolyBurnsBass Perfect. Because Happily Ever After is FICTION, lit or not… #litchat -2:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @FlossieTeacake Pacing different, yes. Each writer educates the reader to adapt, change expectations, etc. #litchat -2:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat In the meantime, I will copy the chat and post the chatscript on the blog by Friday. #litchat -2:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| darwilli040 @mizwrite I agree and maybe that’s the difference. Litfic is character centered more than plot oriented. #litchat -2:13 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mizwrite @FlossieTeacake True, but “plotty” isn’t good pacing! Good, old-fashioned, around-the-campfire-type pacing is hard to find. #litchat -2:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| Thandelike @trishheylady et al. this week a theme i’ve been hearing everywhere: “plot is overrated” #litchat -2:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @deberryandgrant Fiction can be “true” to life. Happy every after is NOT true. #litchat -2:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen most lit is eye opening and thought provking #litchat -2:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| trishheylady @LitChat Thanks for facilitating #litchat! -2:14 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LitChat Thanks everyone for your insights and opinions. Be sure to come back on Friday for #EliseBlackwell guest hosting. 4 pm/edt. #litchat -2:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake First I’ve tried via tweetchat – fantastic! Thanks @litchat. #litchat -2:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| balletbookworm thanks @litchat! #litchat -2:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| VanessaDobbs @litchat thanks once again #litchat -2:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @LoranneBrown absolutely. Fiction has to be truer to life than life actually is. #litchat -2:15 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @Thandelike “plot IS overrated”. To be “true”, must be character-driven, not plot driven. #litchat -2:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| stujallen thanks litchat #litchat -2:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown Yes, thanks for my first try. Great talking with you all. #litchat -2:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| FlossieTeacake @mizwrite “plotty” *can* be good pacing… sometimes. I love a book that compels you to slow down & absorb its own rhythms though. #litchat -2:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| darwilli040 @litchat Once again thanks for a good discussion. #litchat -2:16 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mizwrite Awesome chat, @litchat and everyone! Sorry I came so late. I’ll catch all the great comments in the search and blog. … Thx! #litchat -2:18 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| LoranneBrown @deberryandgrant Great point: “Fiction has to be truer to life than life actually is.” #litchat -2:19 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @LoranneBrown as a writer, when making stuff up, it has to have some kind of logic that fits the story,makes sense to the character #litchat -2:21 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @LoranneBrown even if it doesn’t. But it can’t go unexplained, unreasoned like we have to accept in real life. #litchat -2:22 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @LoranneBrown but that doesn’t necessarily mean a happy ending… #litchat -2:23 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| llunalila Writing madly, didn’t have time to pop in but had and idea and needed to put it down before it went. I’ll try to come on Friday to #litchat -2:26 PM May 6th, 2009 |
| mizwrite @CarolyBurnsBass I agree — plot is everything! Otherwise, it’s just a character sketch! #litchat -2:29 PM May 6th, 2009 |
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