There has always been a big debate in the writing world about the classification of novels, fiction, literature, whatever word you want to use for pieces of fictitious writing. And the biggest controversy is about the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction. (Or at least I believe it is a big controversy. It is hard to tell since I spend most of my time in the sphere or reading and writing and not much else.)
Anyways, I want to preface my take of the literary fiction vs. genre fiction debate by saying that no one type of fiction is better than the other. The differences I will present simply show that the writers/authors have different values and goals in the process of creation.
Here is a list of some of the biggest differences, but bear in mind they are all generalizations.
Literary Fiction
- character-driven
- uncovers a deeper meaning
- prose takes precedence
Genre Fiction
- plot-driven
- mainly for entertainment
- story takes precedence
- more popular to mass audiences
Though grossly oversimplified, the primary difference between literary fiction and genre fiction is the purpose of the story being told: genre fiction focuses on the entertainment value of the plot and literary fiction focuses on the beauty and significance of the style of writing itself.
Thus, genre fiction generally follows a logical chronology and unfolding of events. The story is told at a pace, and with certain twists and tropes, that the readers are already familiar with and enjoy.
While literary fiction can too follow a rational plot, more attention is given to the artistic formation of sentences and ideas than the fictitious goals and events of a story. Like Virginia Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style, there is no hurry to build up to the climax, but rather, there is a whole lot of time to tangentially explore themes and concepts.
Habitual readers of genre fiction will see every event as a significant progression of the plot, but readers of literary fiction will read for the experience of each moment without expecting something bigger.
People may disagree as to what novels classify as which type of fiction, but they must understand that there can also be overlap between literary fiction and genre fiction. Nothing in life is black and white, and that is the same with fiction. Everything becomes arbitrary with changes of opinions and altered use of terminology, no matter how hard we try to solidly define things.
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