Defining "Literary" Fiction

I started taking a class this week at Gotham Writers Workshop in NY. Since I commute from Connecticut for the weekly class, I chose one that took place on West 91st. It's only a few miles closer to home, but a much easier commute, since you don't have to contend with the heavy traffic that kicks in as you approach and pass the theater district. Since the class ends around 10PM, it becomes even more crucial, since you have to fight the same crowd now rushing to get out of Manhattan.

Unfortunately, the day of the class, I learned that the 91st st. class had been canceled. I was given an option of canceling the class with a refund or to suck it up and trek into Greenwich Village to join that class. Guess what I chose?
The class was good, but I didn't get home until 11:45 that night. That is one long-ass day (that's a literary term I learned).

The assignments: read this short story that was assigned (FAT LADIES FLOAT IN THE SKY LIKE BALLOONS) and critique as though we were giving feedback on a classmate's story: 3 things we liked, 3 things that could be improved.

I'm also supposed to write something to distribute for feedback on 5/9. I'm a little nervous since I have 101 ideas for screenplays, but nothing on a finer scale like a short story requires. Even moreso, the short story should be considered "literary" fiction moreso than "genre" fiction. I'm struggling, since the "literary" seems to be more about poetry of language (prose?) than forward momentum (plot?). Because scripts are more focused on momentum and character, those are the core of whatever muscles I've been working.

Plus, I loves the genre.

I got a book of short stories, ASTONISHING STORIES from McSweeney's, thinking that might be the hybrid I could study as a model. After all, it's a blend of horror genre and literary fiction. Of the five stories I've read so far, I'm ending up with more of a wrinkled brow (i.e. "huh?") than wide-eyed fear. eh.

Since I like how Jane Espenson ends each post with lunch, I figured I'd end each post with something like that. However, my meals aren't nearly so interesting. We'll try ending with what's here from Netflix: Shield season 1, disc 1; Constant Gardener; Man on Fire.