Pulp fiction had its best years from the 1920s to the 1950s, especially among the G.I.’s of World War II, who appreciated the quick reads and adventures of their favorite protagonists. Pulp fiction became a hugely popular form of fun thanks to easy-to-read stories, mass production, and cheap paper. Readers from all over the United States and beyond were drawn to these stories, which included mystery fiction, adventure, horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and Westerns.
For authors, such as Lester Dent who created a template for writing these stories, pulp fiction was a fast way to write a story and get paid often. The stories were printed on pulp paper, hence the name, and were created fast for an audience hungry for adventure stories.
Many pulp-era characters and stories, such as The Shadow, Doc Savage, and Tarzan, served as inspiration for later comic book superheroes and Hollywood films.
The pulp era had an indelible effect on contemporary media. Film, television, and comic books continue to use its fast-paced, character-driven storytelling.
Hardboiled detectives had an influence on modern criminal thrillers and police procedurals, while pulp heroes were the forerunners of superheroes.
A characteristic of popular fiction from the golden age is its raw, inventive narrative, which frequently ends on a cliffhanger.
And, that’s why I enjoy writing these stories. Anything is possible and so many stories to tell! In the spirit of pulp fiction from the golden age, I’m trying my hand at original pulp fiction stories ranging from mysteries, adventures, science fiction, and romance.
Pulp fiction allows for varied genre exploration, entertaining fast-paced stories with oversized characters, and a sense of escape from reality.
The style of story gives me the freedom to explore deeper topics or experiment with cliches while entertaining readers in pulp.
As a society that values both the past and the present, pulp fiction is great for readers who like stories that are lively, easy to read, and broken up into episodes.
And they are fun to write!
