They certainly make marketing and bookstore organization more simple.
Yes as to the former. As to the latter...Like I said, Genres have their use. How would you like to walk into the library and it's all just one big category that was ordered alphabetically? Man that'd be a pain to inventory and find books in.
I think that could certainly be the case in some instances. Some authors write for the stories...and some write for the meanings and could definitely be put off by people not wanting to read their writing just because "omigod it's dorky SCI FI"
I think that they can be bridged easily within academia and study...but I also think that if you just don't enjoy the style of a certain genre, then that bridging may not occur because you don't want to build it.
I think the lines between genres can get pretty grey, particularly when you start talking about sub-categories. Unless of course you're talking about non-adult fiction, in which case it's classed in bookstores solely on readability 9_9
Genres are kind of a mixed blessing in my mind. They help categorize writing, which is more convenient and provides a nice aid for choosing new reading material. But putting anything into a box typically does not do the work justice.
Is a good novel a good novel whatever it is about and so shouldn't be labeled at all?
Yes as to the former. As to the latter...Like I said, Genres have their use. How would you like to walk into the library and it's all just one big category that was ordered alphabetically? Man that'd be a pain to inventory and find books in.
Are these authors afraid of being associated with the sci-fi and fantasy label because it might be considered to be less good literature because it may be mostly read by teenagers and nerdy people?
I think that could certainly be the case in some instances. Some authors write for the stories...and some write for the meanings and could definitely be put off by people not wanting to read their writing just because "omigod it's dorky SCI FI"
Pride and Prejudice and Rendezvous with Rama are novels from different genres, but aren't they really about giving us different themes or are there literary and linguistic differences that can't be bridged.
I think that they can be bridged easily within academia and study...but I also think that if you just don't enjoy the style of a certain genre, then that bridging may not occur because you don't want to build it.
Is sci-fi defined through the use of alien technology and aliens, monsters and the like? And is romantic drama defined by romantic entanglements and loads of kissing and hugging?
I think the lines between genres can get pretty grey, particularly when you start talking about sub-categories. Unless of course you're talking about non-adult fiction, in which case it's classed in bookstores solely on readability 9_9
What are your thoughts?
Genres are kind of a mixed blessing in my mind. They help categorize writing, which is more convenient and provides a nice aid for choosing new reading material. But putting anything into a box typically does not do the work justice.
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Why are authors afraid of the science fiction label?
- 30/11/2009 05:41:35 PM
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I think this may be true of genres in general
- 30/11/2009 07:01:50 PM
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Did you borrow my signature pic or did you get it from the web, as well 
? *NM*
- 01/12/2009 11:51:20 PM
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? *NM*
- 01/12/2009 11:51:20 PM
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Genres have their use...
- 30/11/2009 08:24:29 PM
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Because too many people will not even try a book that is labeled Science Fiction. Too intimidating?
- 01/12/2009 01:18:26 AM
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most people think Star Trek or Star Wars when they think SciFi
- 03/12/2009 05:28:05 PM
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all genre labels are deep, dark, thorny pigeonhole that authors can't get out of.
- 01/12/2009 05:54:48 PM
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Basically what temeraire said- "genre" has a stigma, no matter how unfair it may be
- 01/12/2009 07:43:50 PM
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Because genres tend to market towards one particular group of people
- 02/12/2009 04:38:00 AM
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Because 90% of what is written in the Scifi/fantasy genre is escapism crap
- 03/12/2009 05:26:59 PM
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But 90% of what is written outside the Scifi/fantasy genre is escapism crap as well.
- 03/12/2009 05:29:20 PM
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I will reiterate: 92.689% of statistics used in an argument are made up on the spot
- 03/12/2009 05:39:36 PM
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- 03/12/2009 05:39:36 PM
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I am not sure that is true
- 03/12/2009 06:23:04 PM
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True, but why bring Jane Austen conventions into the conversation? *NM*
- 06/12/2009 06:24:18 PM
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*NM*
- 06/12/2009 06:24:18 PM
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