Literary vs. Mainstream/Genre Fiction

Earlier this week, a writer queried me regarding my opinion of the difference between literary and mainstream/genre fiction.

The following checklist (excerpted from my article published at http://www.absolutewrite.com/specialty_writing/artless_fiction.htm ) identifies the key elements of literary vs. mainstream/genre fiction as I have come to understand them.

I don’t consider all of these checklist points to be set in stone, and I readily mix them to suit each new story I create.

Literary fiction . . .

• contains complex thematic intents or ideas
• explores universal themes of truths or humanity in general
• broadens the reader’s impressions of the human experience
• draws philosophical reflections from both the writer and the reader
• relies on form vs. plot
• presents complex views of life and/or multidimensional characterizations
• confronts characters with internal, often moral, conflicts that will permanently affect them
• involves subtle, though no less profound story resolutions and/or ambivalent endings
• often involves more use of passive voice
• affords slower, more introspective pacing
• uses an array of figurative, symbolic, archetypal and poetic qualities of language
• frequently embodies allusions to characters and/or story elements from familiar literary works

Mainstream and genre fiction . . .

• generates entertainment for the reader by allowing them to escape life’s trivialities
• casts the world and humanity in predictable terms of good and evil
• satisfies the reader’s expectations of easily anticipated story paths and resolutions
• fulfills a traditional understanding between writer and reader concerning formal story elements
• provides a recognizable and forward moving narrative
• challenges characters with temporary problems requiring easy resolutions
• depicts stereotypical and satisfying characters that display predictable actions/decisions
• offers detailed settings and/or interesting facts, about the story’s world and its inhabitants
• employs an active plot driven structure
• affords a fast pace, with strategic breaks in the action
• commonly adopts a stylistic and moral tone
• typically concludes with a happy ending

I often source a number of similar checklists when I am asked to judge fiction contests or when I am revising my work, and now as a fiction editor. In fact, my forthcoming book, The Fiction Writer's Book of Checklists: A Comprehensive Guide for Revising, Editing, Assessing and Selling Fiction, contains over a hundred checklists. From time to time, I will post a few of these checklists and welcome comments.