Is Fiction a Dying Art in Writing?
At the end of Jerry R. Moehringer’s The Tender Bar, Jerry’s mother states: “publishing is heading towards memoir.” With an increase in interest in the autobiographies of celebrities and influencers, it seems nonfiction dominates the shelves.
Storytelling is more present than ever. TikTok, YouTube, and even Twitter allow us to captive the attention of strangers with a re-telling of our life’s events.
So, why aren’t people writing fiction anymore?
Unless you count screenwriting — which arguably is fiction writing, fewer people seem to be seeking fiction content. Even reality television shows take prominence over fictitious dramas/comedies. Ten-years ago, it was “nerdy” to have an interest in documentaries. Today, original documentaries are all the hype. From My Octopus Teacher to The Social Dilemma, documentaries have risen to the top of Netflix’s most viewed original content.
Poetry — -once considered a passion only for English students and the hopeless romantics has also made a comeback. Rupi Kaur has popularized poetry with her trendy Instagram graphics and her concert-like tour, where she dresses in elaborate gowns and performs her poems in front thousands of viewers. Her minimalistic-designed books have become a staple for art-lovers around the world, transforming Kaur into a multi-millionaire.
If poetry, documentaries, and vlogs occupy the Twenty-First Century, why is there no room for fiction? Could it be that social media and the demands of our working lives amidst the pandemic have reduced our ability to concentrate on longer-form work? Are memoirs more relatable — or are people only interested in hearing the stories of people recognizable to them?
As a fiction writer, it is disheartening to watch publication rates for fiction novels decline. Perhaps, I am naive to hope that fiction will return in popularity.
