Had a really robust convo in the inbox this week circling around literary fiction, class and writers workshops. Here’s some of what y’all had to say:
Linda C. wrote: “Litfic is scarce these days because agents and publishers want commercial fiction that appeals to the lowest common denominator. Small presses and independent writers still produce authentic literary fiction and creative nonfiction but the 5 Big Publishers publish what will sell the most…. I don’t read much fiction anymore because it is mostly formulaic. AI could have written it. I hear it in the writers group I have been a part of for 20 years. Self-appointed editors spewing out crippling advice like, ‘Introduce all your main characters in the first chapter,’ or, ‘tell us how the character feels’ or ‘that comes across racist, or sexist.’ ‘Make your bad guy really bad.’ Don’t write for the market, that’s my advice. Instead, show me a piece of your soul on the page.”
Kristen H. wrote: “There has been a class problem in all the arts for hundreds of years. Similarly, there’s been a split between so-called “high” arts and popular art for at least as long. At the same time Michelangelo was working on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, lower classes were enjoying erotic woodcuts. At the same time the great 19th century novelists were at work on their epics, people were devouring “penny dreadfuls.” I am all for any programs that get people involved in the arts and appreciating the creativity and work that went into everything from, say, popular broadsides to [Julie] Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic. It has gotten better over my lifetime (I’m Gen X), but there’s still a terrible attitude in the U.S. that "the arts" are only for “the leisure class.” Nonsense! Arts and art careers should be accessible to all. We can only grow richer from it.”
Patty D. wrote: “I just returned from a writer's workshop at Interlochen, Michigan. This is my second year, and each year is enlightening for different reasons. Most of us are from Michigan, but there is a strong cohort from the Chicago area and others from around the country. Many are journalists who are crossing over into poetry, creative nonfiction or novels. To my knowledge, class does not appear to be an issue, as we are from all backgrounds. I would love to see more people of color join the workshop, as half of the facilitators are people of color, and diverse ideas would be welcomed.”
See you next week!
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