Mario wrote:
> The idea that there is a "formula" for crime fiction
comes from a
> false identification of crime fiction with classic
PI fiction.
Or maybe the traditional, classic cozy: a small number of
strictly defined settings, a closed number of suspects, a
convenient murder or two committed offstage, ineffective or
mostly absent law enforcement, a Maguffin to spark the
action, the detective's gathering of suspects for the
denouement... no, wait, that's THE MALTESE FALCON.
But actually, I'm not convinced that even adhering to a
certain strict set of formulaic conventions does not preclude
a book -- or film or TV show or whatever -- from rising to
the holy level of -- de dah de dah!
-- LITERATURE.
Whatever that is...
You don't have to "transcend" to "ascend," if you ask me.
Just write a damn good book.
> I regard this distinction between genre fiction and
literary fiction
> as 99% bullshit, no, 100% bullshit.
Ah, you're being too generous...
Kevin Burton Smith Thrilling Detective Web Site Holiday Issue
New fiction from Sundeson, Narvaez, Stodghill and Max Allan
Collins. Plus.... the THRILLIES!!!
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