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Jay Lake
Date: 2005-11-12 10:33
Subject: Jay's Handy Guide to Genre Definitions
Security: Public
Tags:funny, writing

Found this, from an old version of my Web site, remembered it from a comment made in this workshop I'm at. Thought you folks might enjoy it. Amendments and alternative suggestions appreciated.

GenreDistinguishing Characteristics
General fictionNothing to explain
Literary fictionIf I have to explain, you wouldn't understand it anyway
MysteryExplain what happened
Thriller/TechnothrillerExplain how it happened
RomanceExplain who it happened to
WesternExplain what lily-livered varmint gone and done it
HorrorExplain what's about to happen
Science FictionExplain everything in technical detail
FantasyExplain everything in nonsensical detail
Magical RealismExplain nothing
SurrealismGo fishing for ice cream

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Laura Anne Gilman
User: [info]suricattus
Date: 2005-11-12 18:41 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

*snerk*


Although I'd amend fantasy to "Explain everything in nonsensical detail. And draw a map."

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Jeremy Tolbert
User: [info]the_flea_king
Date: 2005-11-12 18:53 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

ha! Brilliant.

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The NewroticGirl
User: [info]newroticgirl
Date: 2005-11-13 02:13 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

BWAhahahahahaha!!!!

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Pádraig Ó Méalóid
User: [info]slovobooks
Date: 2005-11-13 11:33 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

The three defining characteristics of a proper Fantasy Novel are A) a map, B) a pronunciation guide to characters' names, and C) a glossary.

Or so it seemed to me during my many years in the secondhand book trade...

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markbourne
User: [info]markbourne
Date: 2005-11-12 19:01 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

That's terrific. A keeper and meme-food for sure.

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dinogrl
User: [info]dinogrl
Date: 2005-11-12 21:41 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

May I pass that along to my teacher colleagues? That is too good!

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Jay Lake: darth tater
User: [info]jaylake
Date: 2005-11-14 02:34 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)
Keyword:darth tater

Absolutely! Feel free.

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Erin Hartshorn
User: [info]abennettstrong
Date: 2005-11-13 21:25 (UTC)
Subject: (no subject)

Marvelous! I'd add "YA: Explain what teens want to do so pre-teens want to read it."

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