Lowkenuinely can't tell what my genre is
I genuinely cannot tell what genre my writing belongs to anymore and it’s starting to fry my brain a little.
I study history, but my essays keep drifting into this weird intersection of memoir, sociology, feminist theory, psychology, affect, internet culture, body politics, memory, etc. They’re very image-heavy and introspective but also analytical underneath. Someone told me they read like “theory disguised as personal essays” and now I can’t unsee it.
I attached one below. I’d really love honest feedback — not just “good writing” but:
- what tradition/genre/writers this resembles
- whether this feels literary, academic, essayistic, overwrought, readable, insufferable, whatever
- what seems strongest/weakest structurally
- where this kind of writing actually fits on the internet/in publishing
I think I’m trying to bridge creative writing with social analysis but I have no clue if I’m actually pulling it off or just producing emotionally intelligent rubble.
Would deeply appreciate thoughtful critique.