I love Thea Astley's tropical Queensland novels -- Drylands, Multiple Effects of Rainshadow, It's Raining in Mango and An Item from the Late News -- and her collection of short stories, Hunting the Wild Pineapple.
Maggie,
I agree with your sentiments. I wrote the piece without thought to what genre it would fit into, instead I just wrote it how it needed to be and how I enjoyed writing it. It was afterwards labelled as Literary fiction by an outside source (whom I trust). I think I have created an uphill battle for myself but that only means the prize will be that much sweeter. I want to write what I want to write and if it doesn't jive with others at least I will be happy within myself for the work I created.
Sort of, but not entirely - you have to consider who is doing the suggesting. My last book was a literary thriller, but there were patches that I considered quite lovely that the publisher and editor thought were repetitive and could be cut.So, if anyone tries to take out those parts of your work that scream literary fiction, just shrug your shoulders and keep it. That's my position and I'm sticking to it
Sort of, but not entirely - you have to consider who is doing the suggesting. My last book was a literary thriller, but there were patches that I considered quite lovely that the publisher and editor thought were repetitive and could be cut.
That book was much better for another couple of sets of eyes, and some judicious cutting. Shrugging my shoulders and keeping my words would have been a mistake at that stage.
Different responses for different stages, I think.
ETA: And I suspect you're using hyperbole here, but obviously anything that screams literary fiction is something that could be reconsidered...
Agree entirely. A beta reader is a marvellous thing, and should be listened to, thanked and fed chocolate (go away, James*.) if you've chosen your beta well, it'll be because you know their input is going to be well worth considering. But the book remains your responsibility. You have to own it.Oh, absolutely. If a trained editor or publisher told me to axe something, I likely would. But I find sometimes with beta readers or fellow critters, the recommendation can be disregarded or at least weighed against my own long term intentions for the book. Plus I am seeking to retain that illusive thing called my voice, especially in these early stages.
Make something cool. Have fun doing it. Worry what it is afterwards.
Agree entirely. A beta reader is a marvellous thing, and should be listened to, thanked and fed chocolate (go away, James*.) if you've chosen your beta well, it'll be because you know their input is going to be well worth considering. But the book remains your responsibility. You have to own it.
For myself it is great advice. If I box myself in too much I find I try and push my work a certain way rather than letting it "take its course" so to speak. Though for others I can see this would be an issue. Everyone works differently. I think this is especially true for creatives. Some outline, some don't. Some know their genre before they start, some find it along the way. It is a beautiful thing, really, to see how differently everyone works and in the end regardless can come out with a beautiful piece of work.