A problem writers commonly encounter is how they describe their stories, especially what their genre is. Is your story literary fiction or genre fiction? Or maybe, it’s both? If it is genre fiction, you’ll have to deal with genres that play fast and loose with their own descriptions.
Finding the best genre to identify your story with is important. By doing so, you get to target the correct audience—people who are likely to enjoy your story, appreciate your writing style, and are already familiar with the tropes and techniques you use.
What is Genre Fiction?
Genre fiction is one of two major classifications often used in book trade (along with literary fiction). It is used to distinguish works that are written to fit into a specific literary genre.
It takes advantage of established elements that define a specific genre. For example, science fiction is known for its use of advanced technology, science, and future worlds.
Because of this, genre fiction is easier to define and categorize than literary fiction. It is also easier to sell due to market familiarity. Readers already know what they’re getting into and are also more willing to try out an unknown author of a genre they already enjoy.
You’re probably already aware of the most common literary genres: crime fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, adventure, and romance. These genres can mix with one another or be further divided into sub-genres.
Characteristics of Genre Fiction
Here are some characteristics that are commonly associated with genre fiction:
Tropes and Conventions
Each genre has its own set of tropes and conventions that frequently appear within their stories. Fantasy has the chosen one, the ultimate evil, and magic. Horror has haunted locations, monsters, and otherworldly creatures. Romance has the meet-cute, second chances, and friends to lovers.
Plot-driven
The majority of genre fiction is plot-driven. Its stories follow a clear, well-defined plot that often involves a conflict that gets resolved at the end.
This doesn’t mean that genre fiction doesn’t have good characterization though. Its characters simply experience more physical journeys that are affected by the plot. Literary fiction is more about emotional journeys and character studies.
Focus on Entertainment
In general, genre fiction is written for entertainment while literary fiction is more about experimentation and exploration. Its stories are escapes from reality, giving people a chance to explore different worlds, circumstances, and possibilities.
Marketability and Familiarity
By having a clear narrative structure, plot-driven story, and defined conventions, genre fiction can better attract a massive audience while still retaining its appeal to fans. Publishers know how to market it to a specific audience and fans know what to expect of each genre.
Examples of Genre Fiction
Throughout the years, literature has put out works of genre fiction that have defined eras of storytelling, started literary trends, and became classics of their genres. Here are just a few of them.
1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
An orphan boy living under the stairs suddenly finds himself studying magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he learns more about his parentage and the sinister power behind their deaths.
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Genre: Crime fiction
A journalist and a computer hacker team up to investigate the decades-old disappearance. Their search draws them deep into a conspiracy that involves some of the country’s most powerful individuals.
3. It by Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Seven children stumble into an evil that terrorizes them with their own fears. Now grown, they must honor a promise from their childhood and vanquish the creature once and for all.
4. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Genre: Crime
A young FBI trainee seeks the help of a cannibalistic serial killer to catch another killer still on the loose. His intimate understanding of the killer proves useful, but his curiosity might just prove more dangerous than anything else.
5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Genre: Science fiction
In a dystopian future, a fireman’s responsibilities are burning books and the places they’re found in. But when one fireman discovers a past without fear, he begins to question all that he has known and is fighting for.
6. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Genre: Romance
A young couple fall in love but are separated by class and war. They reconnect years later, but must now decide whether their love is worth sacrificing what they’ve gained while apart.
Genre Fiction Vs. Literary Fiction
As stated above, genre fiction is characterized by works that fit into specific categories. It is mainstream and has a more populist appeal than literary fiction. It focuses more on the plot and genre-specific conventions to deliver a satisfying story.
Literary fiction is fiction that attempts to closely resemble life, making it harder to categorize into existing genres. It tends to focus on non-conventional plots, character progression, themes, and subtext. As such, its stories are usually slower-paced and more complex than genre fiction.
Some highbrow readers think that genre fiction will never be as polished as literary fiction. In reverse, a lot of people who exclusively consume genre fiction think that literary fiction is pretentious, elitist, and boring.
It’s a war that’s been raging on for years. While readers can change opinions and taste, there will always be people who elevate one over the other.
In reality, neither of the two is necessarily better than its counterpart. They’re siblings that work in the same space but focus on different things.
Genre fiction can be complex but is written more to be an entertaining escape from reality. Literary fiction can be entertaining but is more about emotional journeys and understanding the world.
What’s your favorite work of genre fiction? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Literary Fiction: Definition and Characteristics
- 12 Weird Fiction Books That Will Take You on Strange Literary Rides
- 181 Best Literary Magazines: A Directory for Fiction, Poetry, and Short Story Publications
- Metafiction: Definition and Examples
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
