Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Is it over yet?
Okay, so I hope I am not alone in hoping (wishing) that the vampire/werewolf trend is coming to an end....soon...very soon.
Nothing against all those authors out there who are, probably after many years, getting their stories out there. I am ecstatic for them and I wish them the best of luck. But honestly, it's just not my thing. Never has been.
I read this article in yesterday's Buffalo News and quite honestly, it sorta ticked me off. I adore all things chick lit. It's what I read, it's what I write. And it has so evolved from pink cartoony covers and endless shopping trips. That's not what today's chick lit is. But it's still getting bashed.
And yes, I do agree that the industry saw a huge influx of chick lit the end of the 90's and into the twenty-first century. But if you ask me, the exact same thing is happening now with all these vampire and werewolf stories. How long will it be before the consumer tires and wants something else?
I know no one can predict the future and the next big thing is anybody's guess, but I can't help but hope it means a comeback for women's fiction and chick lit..but the smarter, wittier side we're seeing now.
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Coupla things about that article. First, the study they did about readers' preferences? I've never seen the numbers for romance so low... so I looked at who conducted the survey (in 2008, mind you, and all economic indicators point to a rise in romance sales despite lower fiction sales for the last several quarters)--the National Endowment for the Arts...sounds like a mamby pamby literary-backed bunch, to me *shrugs*. So I'm not 100% onboard with the accuracy of the article. Yes, "chick lit" did sorta see its heyday, because so many of the books tried to imitate Sex and the City.
ReplyDeleteYour book, dear, is not like those.
Personally, I got a little ho-hum over all the S&tC knockoffs too. When Jennifer Weiner stepped out of her box and wrote a book about an older, married woman, that resonated more with me. But then, I always thought her books had more to them. I, as a woman in the west, have a hard time "relating" to the women shopping NYC. Sure, it's fun to watch Friends and all the other shows about the city, but let's face it -- everyone in the U.S. does not live there. So a story must have some other depth, some connection to the characters and premise, for other women to relate. I think we can all relate to Lexi (initially it's probably more about watching her go down in flames, LOL, but along the way we fall for her) and her predicaments.
That's what sells a story.
Oh, and FYI, I'm so ready for the vamps and weres to disappear, too. Never been "into" them. Really bugs me to go look at YA books -- nothing at all for boys (my son read those Alex Rider books like 3 years ago), and the girl books are 95% paranormal. Is it any surprise I still recommend Meg Cabot's Princess books to girls, with that sort of selection out there?
I definitely agree with the sick of vampieres/werewolves thing. How long can this really continue? I mean I like a good paranormal book here and there, but can they at least be creative? I'm just glad that YA dystopian is getting popular again. Praise the Lord! That genre has been too ignored in recent years.
ReplyDeleteI'm a chick lit fan myself, even though I know you're not supposed to say that word anymore 'cause it makes your MS sound dated. Whatever. Chick lit is great, to me, because it always retains some humor. I'm a fan of the city life books since I can relate, but I'd be willing to read one set anywhere. I think my favorite chick lit author is Sophie Kinsella or Lauren Willig. They're hysterical.
Piper, I was surprised at the romance numbers too. The whole article just didn't sit well with me (and I actually emaield the writer and gave her some of my thoughts. She did write back but didn't really address anything I had said. She did ask about me and my book though.)
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, YA is so inundated with vampire stories. My son is still reading picture books, so I haven't had to try and find him anything yet, but yeah...slim pickens. My favorite YA for girls is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. And if you need another series to recommend, The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter is great.
Thanks for stopping by KM! Those are the exact reasons I love chick lit..it's serious, it's funny, it's sad, it's romantic...it has everything.
I read on Jessica Fausts blog last week that calling something Chick Lit is the kiss of death in a query. How ridiculous!! So now we don't want funny stories about women? Turns out we do... we just need to call them something else.
ReplyDeleteI just say my work is fiction. As far as I know that's not outdated yet.
I think the vampire werewolf thing is starting to wear itself out. I'm thankful I don't write genre like that. People will weary of werewolves or vampires or time-travelers or magicians, but they will never tire of real people and love. No matter what you call it.
Stephanie, I'm with you on Vamp/Wolve stories and back to romance. I enjoy chick lit, they make me laugh as I read them but I'm terribly inept at writing them (humor challenged). I write romance with elements of suspense and for the last three years I've been told they weren't selling in the AA market, yet I can't stop.
ReplyDeleteWell, next month I have two books releasing. One is about a werewolf but heavy on the humor. The other is a contemporary with a pink, cartoony cover, totally heavy on the humor. Personally, I'm sick to death of the paranormal trends but if it will help sell my book, yay for that LOL As for chick lit, I hope it comes back. It's sad that all people think of when you say contemporary is chick-lit. But, what can you do? lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone!! I appreciate the support!!!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, you're right, people never tire of true to life stories and love!
Bella, thanks for stopping by! Hopefully you can find a home for your stories soon!
Sandra, I love a story with humor in it! I'm so happy for you that you've found a way to combine what you write with what's selling today!!