My new year's resolution?
To never write one of these editorial ever again!
Oh well, blew that one already.

Pulitzer II
by Timothy O Goyette

In my last editorial, Pulitzer (in archives), I compared "Literature" to our genre of fiction and the attitudes surrounding them. It sparked a lively barrage of comments.

For this discussion, the genre stands for the general genres speculative fiction and fantasy. Lit will represent "Literary" or non-genre fiction.

The first criticism lodged against the genres is that it's just crap. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I'll just pass on this one.

The next criticism is usually something like, "Only Lit lasts. The great works are timeless and are remembered hundreds, even thousands, of years after they were first written. The genre are hardly remembered the day after they're published."

Some of the most memorable and renown works have been those of the genre. Starting with, but not limited to 1001 Arabian nights. This tome brought us such classics as Aladdin, Ali Baba and the 40 thieves, and more. In later years, we move to classics such as Gulliver's Travels.

As technology advanced the fanciful thoughts that abounded in fantasy grew to include the sciences. The works of Jules Verne, and H. G. Wells presented the coming of age of the speculative fiction component of the genre.

The next criticism is that writing in the genre is beneath the dignity of a serious writer. Good writers wouldn't stoop to such nonsense.

The Brother's Grimm for example. They were famous nonfiction writers of their time. In fact, their friends in the lit community encouraged them to stop recording those silly folk stories, and distance themselves from their previous works in the genres. They were concerned that
their friends were hurting their reputation as serious authors. And today, hardly anyone remembers their Lit work.

William Shakespeare was no stranger to the genre. Witches, ghosts, and creatures of fancy in all their varieties. Mr. Shakespeare wrote the only required reading that I actually enjoyed, MacBeth.

One cannot exclude from such a list, Charles Dickens. He wrote many popular novels. My personal favorite is A Tale of Two Cities. He also wrote the classic the genre A Christmas Carol.

Quick quiz: Name two works of Rudyard Kipling. The Man Who Would be King and The Jungle Book.

Another criticism is that the genres don't change people's lives, or way of looking at things, like a good Lit book will.

One of the most influential the genre books this century is George Orwell's Animal Farm. A fairy tale decrying the abusiveness of the Soviet Union. The U.S. and British Governments put pressure on the publisher to halt plans to print and distribute it. At the time, we were allies with the Soviets and the governments didn't want to offend Stalin. Mr. Orwell also wrote 1984, which brought us the term "Big brother."

Most of the scientists and engineers working for NASA were inspired to enter their technology careers because of the influence of the genre in their youth and teen years. They grew up not only with Verne and Wells, but Asimov, Clarke, and Bradburry.

Those who didn't join NASA strove in the radio field, early in this century, then later the computer revolution. The advancement in science, technology, communication, travel, and medicine that have come as direct or indirect developments of these individuals is staggering.

I would add one last criticism, in case no one else has thought of it.

It may be said that many of the examples above are popular, because they are children's stories. We all heard them in our youth. It is hard as a parent to not become familiar with children's stories. I have two children and can quote most of the Cat in the Hat from memory. When our children grow up to make us grandparents, chances are they'll be reading the same stories to their kids that they enjoyed when they were young.

I would say that they are largely correct. Children have shorter attention spans and require frequent stimulation. Stories with lots of action and great, grand creatures and events can capture and hold their attention.

As we get older, we develop the ability to appreciate more complex and subtle presentation. Okay, some we sleep through, but in general, our capacity for patience expands with age.

I submit as the theory that the genre touches that wide-eyed glee that we had as children. With our increased patience, we can appreciate more complex and subtle plots. People who appreciate the genre are those who have both these attributes.

There are two ways to look at this: 1. It's a shame that we haven't matured past the point where we need the childish stimulation. 2. It's a shame others have lost their ability to appreciate the joys of youth.

Please e-mail you comments. Our government and my wife frown upon letter bombs.

As a special note: In the last column, some readers ended up with the mistaken idea that I don't approve of the works of Judith Guest. Although I haven't read anything of hers, she is a wonderful person. She gives of her time to help aspiring authors. Of course, there is a
reasonable fee for the service. Working with her has helped me, and would help any the genre author. The basic skills of writing do not change across genres.

If you are interested in attending one of Ms. Guest's workshops, let me know and I'll forward her e-mail address. The workshop is only for novelists with at least 100 pages complete.

After word.

As editors, we have a unique opportunity to rant in the editorials. No, the preceding was not a rant. It was a simple, logical, discussion of the issues of the day. The rant has to do with a Lit book I was forced to read in college.

I wonder how many of you out there endured the novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? For some reason that eludes me, it was popular in the late 1970's to subject freshmen to this book, apparently to weed out the wrong thinkers.

I'm sorry, but the main character is a self-absorbed father. He spends most of his time with his son on the back of the motorcycle while he obsessed about his problems. The rest of the time he's working on the bike obsessing about his problems. The climax is when he has a thought about his son, who's on the back of the bike. What does he do? He stands up to give the boy a different view. Great! Putting his butt up to his son's face makes it all better.

Thanks, I've been holding that in for too many decades.

E-mail us with your worst book experience. There must be a self-help group around somewhere.

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