10 new definitions of autofiction.
For several years, writers have debated which texts fall under the umbrella of autofiction. Now, it seems, autofiction denotes a category of autobiographical fiction that knowingly plays with its truth-value—but with social media and promotional interviews, it’s easy to conflate character with author regardless of authorial intent. Thus, to help confused readers, I’ve put my nose (pert) to the grindstone (hard) and invented ten new opinions about autofiction that will help you determine whether the text you’re reading is autofiction or just wan and little.
Next time autofiction has you stumped, turn to these principles for guidance:
1. Autofiction is when a character lives in New York.
2. Autofiction is when a character reads a book.
3. When you write about something bad you’ve done, that’s autofiction. When you write about something bad done to you, that’s memoir.
4. Autofiction is just autoredistributed autoautobiography.
5. The term “autofiction” was initially coined by Serge Doubrovsky, whose explanatory blurb on the back cover of his novel Fils read, “I love gossip.”
6. If you want to have sex with the author, that’s autofiction.
7. If you follow the author on Twitter, that’s autofiction.
8. If you’re uncertain if a book is autofiction, turn to the names for clues: If the protagonist is unnamed, it’s autofiction. If the protagonist is named, it’s fiction. But if the protagonist has the same initials as the author, then it’s double autofiction. If the protagonist has the same name as the author, it will earn back its advance.
9. Colorful spots, autofiction it’s not; If the border is white, sailor’s delight.
10. Cars is autofiction, as most of its events happened to Owen Wilson.
You’re welcome!
