Guest Post: Bridging the Literary Gap - B.K. Bass

B.K. Bass

I am honoured to be able to share my blog with this incredible author. I have always enjoyed reading his insights about being a writer, an editor, and about the art of our shared craft.

I hope you all enjoy this incredible guest post as much as I do.

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In the world of literature, there is a line drawn in the sand. Those on either side stare across this no man’s land, eyes filled with anything ranging from curiosity to contempt. Some dare to step across. Some are bold enough to straddle the line. Some of us, probably more than we think, are ready to kick the sand over the line and end the feud once and for all.

So, who are these two divided camps? Genre fiction and literary fiction. But, what’s the difference?

Genre fiction can be defined in several ways, but most sources agree that it is focused on plot and written to appeal to a wide selection of readers. It also follows certain formulas and features certain elements known as tropes so that it falls into one of many categories; such as historical fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, or fantasy.¹

Literary fiction is harder to put such a clear definition on, but the NY Book Editors propose a set of defining characteristics. They posit that literary fiction “doesn’t follow a formula, uses creative storytelling, explores the human condition, may be difficult to read, is character-focused, [and] has an ambiguous ending.”²

If you’re a genre author, you’re probably spitting out your coffee right now and screaming at the screen, “But, my book is genre fiction, and it does everything on that list for literary fiction!”

Congratulations, you’re straddling the line.

If the only thing that defines genre fiction is its formulas and tropes, and these books can readily incorporate the elements of literary fiction, wouldn’t literary fiction simply be non-genre fiction? Why do proponents of literary fiction feel they have a monopoly on character-driven stories, creative storytelling, and deeper themes? Who drew this line in the sand, and why is it there?

Many believe that the only purpose of genre fiction is to entertain, amuse, and provide an escape from reality. They may or may not look down upon literary fiction as trivial or childish; but in all likelihood, they do not pay it the same respect as its counterpart. Those who hold to this belief also view literary fiction as the only avenue to tell compelling stories that delve into the human condition, analyze our world and our place in it, and invoke an emotional reaction in the reader through a “symphony of words.”³

1874 Edition Book Cover

Some disparagingly call these people the literati, a term created by combining literary and illuminati to invoke the image of a clandestine inner circle of the literary elite. The term makes me think of a group of bearded old white men in smoking jackets, sitting in a proper English parlour, groaning over their snifters of brandy as the latest young adult paranormal romance novel climbs to the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

The question remains: why is there a distinction? There are many books that have crossed the line and can be considered both genre fiction and literary fiction, not the least among them being Jane Eyre, Crime and Punishment, Dracula, Gulliver’s Travels, and Journey to the Center of the Earth.⁴ So, if all these great classics—and many more, including contemporary works—are considered both literary and genre fiction, why should there be a difference between the two?

I’m one of those kicking the sand. I don’t think there should be a line at all. I’ll be the first to agree that there’s hacks out there just following the formulas to create marketable genre fiction, but isn’t entertainment itself a noble pursuit? Is not the betterment of another person’s life, if even for a handful of hours escaping our reality, something that should be applauded? And are there not authors writing “literary fiction” whose quality of work and purity of intention equally as questionable? Are there no “hacks” trying to break into the world of literary fiction? You know what I say? Good for them for putting some effort into it. I know people whom I couldn’t get to read a greeting card, so anybody who dedicates themselves to writing a book deserves some praise simply for giving it a go.

I say it’s all simply fiction. Perhaps some of it defies being slotted into a genre definition. What if I told you there was a genre for that? “Contemporary Fiction” or “General Fiction” are genre tags used by book distributors. Guess what, literati: your fiction has a genre too.

Choosing to write in a genre—or discovering your work falls into one—shouldn’t automatically exclude an author from delving into deeper themes, exploring the human soul, and provoking their readers to consider new ideas. In fact, I say many forms of genre fiction are better at this. People are more likely to be receptive to new ideas if they are enjoying the context in which they are presented. If you want to convince somebody to consider a different viewpoint on an issue, lace that into something they will find entertaining. They may or may not change their minds, but at least they’re more likely to read the whole thing. Looking back to the characteristics of literary fiction defined above, I say there’s nothing on that list which genre fiction can’t incorporate.

Releases October 25, 2019

I’d like to stand up and say I straddle the line. I’d love nothing more than to proclaim that I write genre fiction that is also literary fiction. Would that be pretentious? Maybe. So, I’ll let Crystal Kirkham speak for me in an excerpt from her review of my newest book:

“What Once Was Home stunningly combined the incredible speculative elements that I love about science fiction with the engaging personal stories and moving internal struggle that continues to draw me back to contemporary [literary] fiction.” [read full review here]

So, how does one mix the conventions of genre fiction with the characteristics of literary fiction? It’s much simpler than it appears. When you’re developing your story, whether this involves extensive outlining or simply sitting down and seeing what happens, remember that your genre conventions are simply setting the stage for your story. In What Once Was Home, the alien invasion and post-apocalyptic scenarios explored are simply the setting of the story. The plot, from surviving the first wave to the rebuilding of a community, is simply the vehicle that carries the story forward. The real story is in how the characters react to these circumstances. The real question is how one can retain their moral compass in the face of impossible decisions.

Your story and your question will be different, as will your setting and plot. Create a world in which to explore deeper ideas, and develop a situation that propels your characters into facing them.

Or, just write something fun. Fun, for it’s own sake, is a worthwhile endeavor. When I started writing What Once Was Home, that was my primary goal. The book itself surprised me. You may be surprised along the way to find your own “escapists drivel”֫—as those surly old men in that English parlour would call it—evolves into something more.

About the Author

B.K. Bass is an author of science fiction, fantasy, and horror inspired by the pulp fiction magazines of the early 20th century and classic speculative fiction. He is a student of history with a particular focus on the ancient, classical, and medieval eras. He has a lifetime of experience with a specialization in business management and human relations and served in the U.S. Army. B.K. is also the Acquisitions Director for Kyanite Publishing, the Editor-in-Chief of the Kyanite Press journal of speculative fiction, and the Writing Department Chair for Worldbuilding Magazine. You can find out more about B.K. at https://bkbass.com.

Works Cited

1. French, Christy Tillery. “Literary Fiction Vs. Genre Fiction.” Author’s Den. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=18884. July 22, 2005. Accessed October 22, 2019.

2. “What is Literary Fiction?” NY Book Editors. https://nybookeditors.com/2018/07/what-is-literary-fiction/. Accessed October 22, 2019.

3. Petite, Steven. “Literary Fiction Vs. Genre Fiction.” HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/literary-fiction-vs-genre-fiction_b_4859609. February 26, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2019.

4. Rothman, Joshua. “A Better Way to Think About the Genre Debate.” The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/books/joshua-rothman/better-way-think-genre-debate. November 6, 2014. Accessed October 22, 2019.