LITERATURE VS. FICTION:
Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters
Writers often use the words literature and fiction interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing. Understanding the difference can help you develop a clearer sense of purpose in your writing, especially if you’re crafting stories for children or young adults.
While both literature and fiction involve storytelling, the way they approach depth, meaning, and style can be quite different.
Let’s break it down.
FICTION: THE ART OF STORYTELLING
Fiction is, at its core, storytelling. It’s any narrative created from the imagination rather than directly from fact. This includes everything from a cozy mystery to a fun picture book, a middle-grade adventure, or a sweeping fantasy novel.
The primary goal of fiction is to entertain. It draws readers in with plot, characters, and emotion. It can also teach lessons or explore themes, but those elements support the story rather than define it.
For example, think of “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White. It’s a fictional story about a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte. The story entertains young readers with talking animals and farmyard drama. Yet, beneath the fun, it gently explores friendship, loyalty, and the natural cycle of life. It’s fiction first, but the heart of the story is what helps it edge toward literature.
Fiction can range from light and whimsical to dark and thought-provoking. The quality of writing, the complexity of the characters, and the emotional depth all vary greatly. That’s why not all fiction is considered literature… but all literature that tells a story is, technically, fiction.
LITERATURE TAKES IT UP A NOTCH
According to Britannica, “As an art, literature might be described as the organization of words to give pleasure. Yet through words, literature elevates and transforms experience beyond ‘mere’ pleasure. Literature functions as a form of human expression and as a means of both criticizing and affirming cultural values.” (1)
It’s also important to note that literature encompasses both nonfiction and fiction. But this article focuses on literary fiction.
So, what makes a work of fiction rise to the level of literature?
There are a lot of grey areas and different camps when discussing literary fiction. But basically, literature is fiction with an enduring meaning.
It not only entertains; it transforms.
Literature explores the human condition, often delving into universal truths such as love, loss, courage, identity, and justice. It’s the kind of writing that makes readers think, reflect, and feel long after the story ends.
Take “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. It’s a novel (a work of fiction), but it’s also literature because it uses story to illuminate deep social and moral questions.
Also, consider “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, a powerful young adult book that challenges readers to consider the cost of conformity and the value of memory and emotion.
The language of literature tends to be richer, the structure more deliberate, and the themes more layered. The writer’s purpose goes beyond entertainment; it’s to offer insight, evoke empathy, and maybe even inspire change.
THE OVERLAP: WHERE FICTION BECOMES LITERATURE
The truth is that the line between fiction and literature isn’t a wall—it’s a bridge. Many stories walk both sides.
Using myself as an example, I often emphasize purposeful writing. My stories do more than simply fill pages. My focus on children’s literature, for instance, blends the imaginative appeal of fiction with the depth and guidance that literature offers.
When a story not only entertains a child but also helps them understand positive character traits, character strengths, virtues, and topics such as environmentalism, it begins to move toward literature.
For example, in my chapter book “Walking Through Walls,” inspired by an ancient Chinese tale, readers follow a boy named Wang who learns humility and discipline. The story is fictional, but it carries enduring lessons about character and growth. That’s the essence of literature: meaning woven seamlessly into a story.
WHY THE DIFFERENCE MATTERS TO WRITERS
As a writer, knowing where your work falls on this spectrum helps you set your intentions. If your goal is to write entertaining stories that make readers smile or laugh, that’s an excellent and worthy pursuit. Fiction gives you endless room for creativity and imagination.
But if you want your stories to resonate on a deeper level, to linger in the hearts and minds of readers, then you’re moving toward literature. That doesn’t mean you need lofty language or grand themes. Even a simple story can hold literary value if it speaks truthfully to human experience.
Ask yourself:
• What is my story really about beneath the surface?
• What emotion or idea do I want my reader to take away?
• How can I use language and character to reveal that meaning naturally?
Those questions guide you from writing “a good story” to crafting “a lasting one.”
SUMMING IT UP
In the end, fiction and literature share the same foundation: imagination and story. The difference lies in depth and intention.
Fiction entertains; literature enlightens. As writers, we can choose to do both: tell stories that not only delight readers but also touch their hearts and open their minds.
Whether you’re writing a picture book, a chapter book, or a novel, remember that the best stories often live where fiction and literature meet. They entertain, endure, and teach us something in the process.
Sources:
(1) https://www.britannica.com/art/literature
https://writers.com/literary-fiction-vs-genre-fiction
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I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4-Weeks / 8 Sections Instructor Guided Self-Study Program
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors
(Picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
