I really think the only times I've ever seen writers mention this, they're being very tongue-in-cheek about it. The feeling I get is that very little actual resentment exists between working genre and literary writers. Most of it seems to be assumed by newbies like us.
That's because most writers out there can really only write what they love to write. There are a few exceptional individuals who can do a bang-up job with any genre you hand them, but by and large, most of us are one-trick ponies. Maybe two tricks at the most. People like me typically aren't in it to Create Higher Art or Expand Human Consciousness or any other pursuit that might be considered snobbish. We're writing what we write because that's what we like to read, and that's the kind of story that means the most to us. Same reason why sci-fi writers write sci-fi, romance writers write romance, and horror writers write horror.
It just sucks for us that it doesn't tend to sell well. At least it has a chance at some awards! It's a small consolation.
The fact that writers have a strong tendency to specialize in genres or themes really says a lot about the author referenced in the OP. Good for her for wanting to stretch herself that far, after such a firmly established career! That's quite a challenge...one I hope I might be skilled enough to undertake some day. Maybe when I'm 74 I'll break out some sparkly vampire teen romances. Woo!
Very good points. A lot of the rhetoric between established authors may well be tongue-in-cheek. Doesn't mean folks don't take the ball and run with it. I don't think there's a lot of resentment. Maybe a little hot air and posturing occasionally, but overall, mutual respect holds sway.
And yea, I share that whole "wish I could write what's selling like hotcakes" thing. I'm pretty sure my job would have been a lot easier the past couple of years trying to market the next hot teen vampire tale or the next humorous vampire story instead of marketing, ahem, "more serious" horror and science fiction in markets that are already stuffed to the gills, and especially in the case of horror, not taking any newcomers very fast. And when I see the romance market, I really want to have a dog in that race. I just don't write it.
We write what we love, and in my case, it just happens to be genres that are more difficult to market, or are overstuffed already. Everything's cyclic though, so I've got my fingers crossed for 2020!
