The Fantasists Anti-Defamation League

[pjthompson]

I was listening to a literary lady talk this morning on NPR about Maureen McHugh's latest collection of stories. She said something to the effect of, "It's really too bad you find her writing in the science fiction and fantasy section of book stores. Her stories may start out in the fantastic but they're so well-written you don't even think about it after awhile."

ETA: Here's the exact quote, courtesy jaylake: "The thing about Maureen McHugh is you're going to find her shelved in the science fiction and fantasy section. And that's unfortunate."

I make no claim whatsoever to being a literary writer. I want to tell cranking good yarns that make people turn the pages--and yes, if there's some thought-provoking going on, if I attempt to write as well as I can and be as true to the realities of human nature within my fantastic boundaries, insert a little mythopoetic dynamic here and there, that's just swell. That's all about my pride in doing the best job I can, striving to always do better. In my quirky, fantastic kind of way. Too bad I will never be a serious writer if I keep writing the fantastic.

I'd suggest forming a Fantasists Anti-Defamation League, but I'm not serious enough to carry something like that off. Gosh, wouldn't that take rather a lot of commitment?

Quote of the day:

"Discipline and desire make a writer, a mantra I have to repeat to myself several times a week."

—Charlaine Harris
(a non-serious fantasy writer)

Writing thought of the day:

It occurs to me that if I could fix the problems with the novels I've started in my Ideas file, I could crank out a novel a year for many years without ever getting a new idea again. Phew, what a relief. I was seriously worried about my lack of ideas. In a non-serious way.

Comments

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

I can't remember where it was, but a review for Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys included a comment to the effect of "It's too bad that Neil Gaiman always get lumped into the fantasy genre because his work is too good for that."

I was like, "Thanks for the compliment there, yo."

[pjthompson]

It's all too prevalent, unfortunately. I once read a reviewer who wrote of an Alice Hoffman novel (paraphase), "If only she would get over her this obsession with fantasy elements that ruins her books!" :-/

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear...I am sick and tired of fantasy being considered second class litterature.

[pjthompson]

Especially since most of the "literature" throughout history, if it wasn't labeled classic literature, would be labeled fantastic.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I nominate you as President of the FADL (pronounced Faddle).

Sorry, it's your bag now. Nothing you can do about it.

[pjthompson]

But I'm not a serious writer! I'm not nearly responsible for such a burden, er, honor. Faddling is a very important function and shouldn't be left to any Pammy-Come-Lately. (And don't anyone ever call me Pammy.)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

This response just showed up in my e-mail toady. I think that's a sign for me to check on your progress... have you set the league up yet? hmm?

[pjthompson]

Ahhhh! Er, no. I've been busy.

(And what's up with LJ these days?)