A Goodreads user
asked
Margaret Atwood:
How would you describe your " genre"?I struggle in stating a genre for my own first novel, and by searching I realise I do not know what genre your books, or my other favourite Salman Rushdie's books are. I read most of your and his novels. My two most favourite books of yours are " Cat's Eye" , " Blind Assassin" and " Penelopiad" What genre are they in your opinion? Lucie
Margaret Atwood
Hello: Nobody talked much about "genres" until maybe 15-20 years ago. Primarily the term is useful for: 1) Helping bookstores arrange books on shelves and b) Allowing people to sneer at certain kinds of books, and/or claim a section of literary turf for themselves in order to restrict the clubhouse.
It doesn't REALLY matter what "genre" your book is. What matters is that it's a good book of its kind. Whatever that kind may be. I am too old to have ever been very worried about what "genre" any given book of mine might be. I read everything. But then, I am easily amused.
It doesn't REALLY matter what "genre" your book is. What matters is that it's a good book of its kind. Whatever that kind may be. I am too old to have ever been very worried about what "genre" any given book of mine might be. I read everything. But then, I am easily amused.
More Answered Questions
Crystal
asked
Margaret Atwood:
There are fewer authors who have the ability to be recognized by the general populous, both as novelists and poets. I teach your poetry in my Literature Appreciation courses. I would love to hear your perspective on how you switch between the genres when writing and how you approach each. Is poetry more "pleasure" than work? Did you start with prose or poetry all those years ago? Thank you.
Penny
asked
Margaret Atwood:
In my life thus far as a writer I've come across two camps of successful (in the publishing sense) writers - those that plan their novel manuscripts before contemplating the start of writing them, and those that 'wing it'. How much planning goes into your work? I clearly see a level of planning, how much time do you spend on it? And does your research come before, during or after the planning stage?
the Goodreads Team
asked
Margaret Atwood:
Can you a come up with a deleted scene from your favorite Shakespeare play?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more