Writing Should there be difficult situations in slice-of-life stories to make them more relatable to the readers?

[CadmarLegend]

Yeah. Tell me....

 

[WasatchWind]

One of my problems with online writing sites is labeling it as "slice of life" rather than "realistic fiction," or "contemporary fiction."

I think those labels are much more appropriate as genre distinctions.

 

[Daitengu]

Depends. Mainly on if it will help flavor the story, or hinder it behind massive side tracks. Sure that's how RL is, but not necessarily something you want in a story if you're going for a specific feel/message.

 

[Jemini]

One of my problems with online writing sites is labeling it as "slice of life" rather than "realistic fiction," or "contemporary fiction."

I think those labels are much more appropriate as genre distinctions.

I agree with this. "Slice of life" is a term that has had it's definitions expended to essentially "doesn't cut out the boring parts, but somehow makes the boring parts interesting."

In fact, I've seen someone call the 9th episode of Reincarnated as a Slime season 2 the "slice of life of a ruler of a monster nation casually plotting genocide" as a glowing compliment.

Also, if we use this definition, a lot of people will be very likely to call the entirety of Mushoku Tensei a slice of life in a fantasy adventure story world with a gripping story and relatable but very meaningful stakes.

 

[Moonpearl]

One of my problems with online writing sites is labeling it as "slice of life" rather than "realistic fiction," or "contemporary fiction."

I think those labels are much more appropriate as genre distinctions.

Slice of life can be set in a completely alien or fantasy world, though.

And there are plenty of contemporary stories that aren't slice of life.

 

[PhillisCreziles]

Depends. Mainly on if it will help flavor the story, or hinder it behind massive side tracks. Sure that's how RL is, but not necessarily something you want in a story if you're going for a specific feel/message.

As Daitengu said, it does depend really on the type of story you are writing for.

If your story is a light hearted story, then you might want to contain from a little to some difficult situations in your slice of story if it needs it.

However, if your story is trying to tell a more serious story, you definitely should add difficult situations in your slice-of-life story. Just make sure you do not solve those difficult situations in a shallow way, because that might make your story shallow.

Usually when the difficult situation is solved in serious slice of life stories, they have some impact on the story in one way or another (example might be a character being changed as a result when the difficult situation is solved).

 

[Sabruness]

that depends on whether you want 'slice of life' as it commonly is now (light hearted, fluffy, no drama or adversity) or if you want 'realistic slice of life' with adversity, difficulties and the ups-and-downs of actual life.

on the topic, a case could be raised for adding 'realistic fiction' or 'contemporary fiction' through the tag suggestion thread HERE

 

[Deleted member 45782]

One of my problems with online writing sites is labeling it as "slice of life" rather than "realistic fiction," or "contemporary fiction."

I think those labels are much more appropriate as genre distinctions.

Same. Sometimes I forget what it is and it gets confusing since contemporary doesn't always equate to slice of life.

that depends on whether you want 'slice of life' as it commonly is now (light hearted, fluffy, no drama or adversity) or if you want 'realistic slice of life' with adversity, difficulties and the ups-and-downs of actual life.

True.

On the topic, a case could be raised for adding 'realistic fiction' or 'contemporary fiction' through the tag suggestion thread HERE

Someone would already state there's Modern Day/Modern Time tag. However to me it would be interesting if it was a contemporary work of say, in the 1970s. Technically its not the Modern day, like present day, but I guess it could fit somewhere around Modern Time perhaps.

Also modern time may not exactly equate to contemporary...

Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Literature | Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

The key difference between modern and contemporary literature is their time period. Modern literature refers to the literature dating from late nineteenth

www.differencebetween.com

Difference Between Contemporary and Modern | Definition, Meaning and Usage

What is the difference between Contemporary and Modern? Contemporary can be defined as “living or occurring at the same time”. Modern can be defined as ..

pediaa.com

 

[WasatchWind]

Same. Sometimes I forget what it is and it gets confusing since contemporary doesn't always equate to slice of life.


True.

Someone would already state there's Modern Day/Modern Time tag. However to me it would be interesting if it was a contemporary work of say, in the 1970s. Technically its not the Modern day, like present day, but I guess it could fit somewhere around Modern Time perhaps.

Also modern time may not exactly equate to contemporary...

Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Literature | Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

The key difference between modern and contemporary literature is their time period. Modern literature refers to the literature dating from late nineteenth

www.differencebetween.com

Difference Between Contemporary and Modern | Definition, Meaning and Usage

What is the difference between Contemporary and Modern? Contemporary can be defined as “living or occurring at the same time”. Modern can be defined as ..

pediaa.com

My concern is more with the genre than the tag. Yes there's modern day tags and such, but still that slice of life genre.

 

[skillet]

When I think of slice-of-life, I usually think of a story that has no clear direction but just exploring the daily lives/life of some people/a person. That being said, small and big problems have definitely been extant in the stories I would associate with slice of life as a genre, like Barakamon, Acchi Kocchi, even (to some extent) Kiki's Delivery Service.

So yes, I think difficult situations in and of themselves shouldn't be completely nonexistent in slice-of-lifes-- though only if the focus isn't too weighted on that situation. :D just my twopence!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

My concern is more with the genre than the tag. Yes there's modern day tags and such, but still that slice of life genre.

Agree. I would love contemporary to be a genre than a tag. One of my stories I asked about in another thread is because I had to find a genre to tag a contemporary story in since contemporary or modern are only tags and not a genre. I end up deciding to go with slice of life and drama genres, but...I don't feel those genres closely describe the story as contemporary genre would.

When I think of slice-of-life, I usually think of a story that has no clear direction but just exploring the daily lives/life of some people/a person.

Yeah that's why Slice of Life I still feel at odds sometime. What if its not a day to day thing? Some modern stories have a clear sense of direction. And if slice of life is about day to day life of characters, than would a contemporary story be lumped in the same group as a day to day life of a slimeball?

Would a memoir be a slice of life?.

 

[skillet]

Yeah that's why Slice of Life I still feel at odds sometime. What if its not a day to day thing? Some modern stories have a clear sense of direction. And if slice of life is about day to day life of characters, than would a contemporary story be lumped in the same group as a day to day life of a slimeball?

Would a memoir be a slice of life?.

wow, I didn't read this thread through while I was posting so i didn't even know what this was about lol this is a lot different from what I was thinking of when I saw the title xD

BUT anyhow I agree with everyone here saying (if I'm understanding this correctly ahah) that slice of life =/= contemporary/modern. It should definitely have its own genre. like, if you have to genre-tag something both drama and slice of life at the same time for the lack of better genres, that... kind of subverts itself, doesn't it? o.o though I guess the adult and mature tags can count for something, in that case. Lol.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

BUT anyhow I agree with everyone here saying (if I'm understanding this correctly ahah) that slice of life =/= contemporary/modern. It should definitely have its own genre. like, if you have to genre-tag something both drama and slice of life at the same time for the lack of better genres, that... kind of subverts itself, doesn't it?

Yeah. It probably is more drama and slice of life but...I feel cotemporary might tell better what type of story it is.

o.o though I guess the adult and mature tags can count for something, in that case. Lol.

Hmm...maybe. But certain contemporary fiction doesn't mean its adult and mature.

 

[skillet]

Yeah. It probably is more drama and slice of life but...I feel cotemporary might tell better what type of story it is.

Hmm...maybe. But certain contemporary fiction doesn't mean its adult and mature.

Oh, maybe I wasn't being clear enough. I was completely completely agreeing to your point that contemporary should be its own genre, since drama is almost the opposite of slice of life, and if you have to resort to using them together, that doesn't make sense imo haha

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Oh, maybe I wasn't being clear enough. I was completely completely agreeing to your point that contemporary should be its own genre, since drama is almost the opposite of slice of life, and if you have to resort to using them together, that doesn't make sense imo haha

Oh...didn't realize how drama and slice of life is different in that its opposite...
Slice of Life seems super easy to understand at first. I always thought it was meaning modern day before...
Ever since I learned it doesn't have to be a modern day setting...I'm still wrapping my head around it haha

And now I learned drama and slice of life is near opposite...ah

 

[skillet]

Oh...didn't realize how drama and slice of life is different in that its opposite...
Slice of Life seems super easy to understand at first. I always thought it was meaning modern day before...
Ever since I learned it doesn't have to be a modern day setting...I'm still wrapping my head around it haha

ohh really? Idk haha I've always associated slice of life to being mostly un-dramatic, slower-paced, and focused on smaller (usually daily) stuff, kind of ambling about its plot. don't quote me on this thoughh
and going back to this thread's actual question (lol), I feel like it can still have problems and plotlines (and should), but nothing that will make it an adventure!!! kind of thing. I guess you can also argue that it doesn't necessarily have to have such a tone, like how in Nichijou it's all crazy stuff but the format is still slice-of-life.

As people've said before in this thread, too, it's different from realistic fiction imo-- and realistic fiction is different from the larger field of contemporary. might just be me. idek what my point even is anymore. :D

 

[Soraalt44]

Yes, I definitely believe you should do that, it will also make the story more entertaining & readers will feel a deeper connection as it helps add depth to your characters

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Hey all, if you think Modern/contemporary/realistic fiction should be its own genre instead of a tag, please do react or mention it in Tag Implementation. This way we can see if it has some demand. :)
@WasatchWind @skillet

 

[WasatchWind]

Hey all, if you think Modern/contemporary/realistic fiction should be its own genre instead of a tag, please do react or mention it in Tag Implementation. This way we can see if it has some demand. :)
@WasatchWind @skillet

is there a tread already for it?

 

[Deleted member 45782]

is there a tread already for it?

Yes. I suggested it in tag implementation