Are an eclectic author

Once I shot a wild question at a novice novelist—who has spent a fairly good time in Indian Media industry—to know her opinion on the growing pile of novels from different kinds of writers in India. I also asked her if she would like to be categorized as one genre novelist. I, of course, intended to gather her opinion on the corporate love fiction flooding the market, to my irritation. Engineers recalling their love-stories from the bygone campuses of IITs and IIMs flooded the bookstores with their poorly-written lovestories. Surprisingly people bought them, though I wonder who bought.

Here is what I get as the reply:

“As far as trends are concerned, I believe there is an increase in Indian fiction that cannot be slotted into any particular category, thanks to independent publishing houses like Blaft and Tara Books amongst others. I also think there seems to be an increase in the industry-based works of fiction.  As for myself, I consider myself an eclectic writer. I have written short stories for literary journals in more than three continents. I have just wrapped up work on a travel book for children. I have also written a children's novel, that is currently under review  and I am currently working on an adult's novel based on a children's classic.  Therefore, I have absolutely no wish to be categorized as anything other than just a writer.”

What I gather she is perhaps wary of being classed as one of them. However, she wanted a runaway success like most of them. The problem is they don't want to spend time on making their stories readable to the class reader. Their goals are limited to catch the attention of rubber-eyed readers. But believe me the reader today is maturing and does not want crap. If the writers are wary of being classed as something below the high level, they need to learn the craft well through continuous effort and thought. Then they can truly be eclectic authors.