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Chick lit and women’s fiction is there a difference? Plus – Giveaway!
Today, I want to talk about chick lit and women’s fiction.
Chick lit is geared more towards younger, college-aged women. Even the covers of these books are brighter and appeal to the younger crowd. These type novels are meant for entertainment purposes only. It’s not intended for the reader to walk away with some lesson that they could use in their own life. No, this type of novel is just to keep the reader engaged and entertained.
Women’s fiction tends to be for the more mature woman who’s ready to roll up her sleeves and get into a story – a story in which she could possibly gain lessons and apply those lessons to her own life. It doesn’t really matter that the story is fiction.
Today, there tends to be a merging of these two sub-genres. Whether its chick lit or women’s fiction – women love reading stories about women’s issues – marriage, divorce, best friend squabbles, raising children, starting over, forgiveness, etc. It doesn’t matter if the targeted reader is twenty-four or forty-four, we all have the same issues, right? So why not mix the two together, add a level of entertainment while still being able to draw a lesson from a novel that you’ve read. That’s what I strive for in my novels. I think it’s important as an author to keep the story interesting so as not to lose your reader with just a bunch of boring lessons. After all, people read to be entertained. To escape reality. To get away.
For discussion: What was the last chick lit novel you’ve read? Do you think women’s fiction and chick lit are one in the same? Or do you prefer one genre over the other?
I’m choosing one lucky commenter to receive a copy of my novel, Another Man’s Treasure.
Tina Martin is the author of Another Man’s Treasure, Secrets On Lake Drive and the forthcoming, The Baby Daddy Interviews. You can visit her at www.tinamartinbooks.com.
I think now that the chick lit novel and womens fiction are the same.
Chick Lit to me is Sophie Kinsella. Women’s Fiction is Kristin Hannah. Both excellent writers.
great choices
I don’t think there is a difference A good book is a good book no matter who writes it.
Chic Lit, albeit on the down trend, appeals to a younger, teen’s/20′s, reader – at least the way I see it. The issues the characters deal with are more trivial, although not to them. What color lipstick to put on vs dealing with a sick parent for example are two seriously different things & chic lit rarely deals with anything too serious. Again, the way I remember chic lit it was lighter & fluffier than romance . . .with TONS of snark.
Women’s Fiction deals with real issues & relationships – Kristin Hannah is a perfect example.
Congrats on your new release!!
I tend to view Chick lit as the Sex and the City, Shopaholic type books. Light and fluffy, but mindless and fun. Whenever I read something “heavy” or serious, I usually pick a chick lit book to clear my head and lighten my mood. However, there are some fanastic women’s fiction authors out there who make you laugh, cry and think all in the same book. It would be nice to combine them, but I still like the distinction so I know if I’m getting a Shopholic or a Jodi Piccult.
Thanks for a great post!
Point taken — definitely need to know the difference when you’re buying for sure – otherwise one could be quite disappointed or pleasantly surprised!
Sue,I was picked as a random winner on sunday.I sent my e-mail with my address on Sunday evening.How long does it take to receive my book,I have not received it yet.Just Curious:)
Takes about 3 weeks for mailing from our DC – I’ll double check to make sure it was sent & that your email did not get spammed. That can happen too . . . .
That’s the problem with titles. I would probably pick women’s fiction over chick lit because I think there is more substance. Obviously that’s not always true. I am liking all the mixed genres but I guess it’s makes it hard for the marketing department lol.
you can’t even imagine
I think there’s two facets of women’s fiction – one with powerful, independent women focused on issues other than husband-finding, and another with male-crazed females. The latter is typically called ‘chick lit,’ but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worthwhile. I love both!
One of my favorite chick lit authors is Sophie Kinsella, though I’m not a huge fan of the Shopoholic novels. I prefer her other books.
My favorite ‘non chick-lit’ author is Carol Snow- and she has a new book coming out soon that I’m really excited to read – “What Came First” (http://www.carolsnow.com).
I think they are pretty close to the same myself. I do enjoy reading both. I can’t really think of the last one I read but will let you know when it hits me.
While I agree with the age thing being the biggest difference, I still think the two genres are more the same than different. Today’s women have a much smaller gap between younger and older women with divorces, children, and careers.
Chick Lit to me is more about woman and their lives, dealing with dating, dieting, finding Mr Right and their relationships with their best friends other woman.
Chick Lit I think of Meg Cabot and Cathy Yardley.
Woman’s fiction The main character is a woman but it can be written in all the genres historicals, paranormals, contemps etc. I think of Nora Roberts, Susan Wiggs, Debbie Macomber.
Thanks everyone for stopping by to chat. Some say chick lit and women’s fiction are different, some say they are the same. Maybe one day, the two genres will merge! I think my novels are a combination of both.
Tina
http://www.tinamartinbooks.com
Have not rea
Funny. I recently asked for the difference between chick-lit and romance fiction in a forum.
For me, chick-lit is the voice of the ‘emancipated’, independent single woman who’s enjoying life to the fullest. I had the impression of it being targeting an older set of women – i.e. single women in their late 20s to mid/let 30s. I expect chick-lit to be witty, humourous, fast-paced etc.
Women’s fiction, I’d say is everything else. I expect other fiction targeted at women to be more emotionally.
Joining the two is probably the best way to go. When you take a story like ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ (I’ve only seen the movie, never read the book) I’ll bet the tone of the movie a little less chick-lit than the novel; and that might be necessary if one wants to appeal to a larger audience.
(my two cents)
Empi