Do you have favorite fiction genres? My favorites are mysteries and thrillers, set in any era. Of course, I read others’ book recommendations, even if the books are in a genre I’ve avoided.
What’s a genre, anyway? I consider genres to be categories. Or as shelves, in bookshops and libraries. There are shelves for romance (with several sub-genres), horror, fantasy etc. In this article, Reedsy explores 35 popular genres, but there are many more.
Fiction genres matter: give readers what they expect
Think of the millions of books published — how will your readers find the books you write? They start with knowing what they like: how they want to feel. So, they go to a category in an online book store or to a shelf in their favorite bookstore and explore.
Readers have preferences, just as well all do. Readers choose a favorite genre because they know how the book will make them feel. It’s the emotion that matters.
So, if you want readers to read your books, give them what they expect. Categorize and write each novel so that it contains the elements that readers expect in the genre.
Let’s look at some tips which will help you to get a handle on fiction genres when you write.
1. Write what you read for enjoyment
I asked a friend how she chooses the genre when she’s planning a new book. She said: “I don’t. I see someone in a situation and in their world. Some situations could only occur in a bygone era. And I go by what I enjoy reading.”
She likes historical romances. I like straight historical novels. More to the point, when we get ideas, we “see” the situation of a character, and it’s in a genre we read.
2. Create characters which appeal to you (you don’t need to like them)
Fiction is drama; conflict. Someone once said that if the writer is having fun, the reader isn’t. Face this fact: you need to torture your characters. You may adore your hero, but make his life hell.
Every genre has tropes; here are some tropes in mysteries. Tropes are situations and characters which are common (and expected) in a genre. For example, the drunk detective is a common trope in detective novels.
Every so often, a writer will tell me: “I want to be original. Tropes are stereotypes!” They are, and they’re tropes for a reason: they work in their genre, providing conflict and reader satisfaction. You can be as original as you please, as long as you satisfy your readers.
3. Read the classics in your chosen genre
To get a handle on a genre; read its classics. I love mystery and detective fiction, so I reread Dorothy Sayers every couple of years. Not only because she writes well, but also for her humor… And plots.
4. Write without stress (you CAN do it)
Please don’t struggle with your writing. If you constantly struggle, there’s something wrong. Try these strategies to write without stress.
Try journaling about perfectionism. How does it manifest for you? For a few weeks, I began each writing session with this sentence: “This will be rubbish: so what?” It helped.
If you’re constantly stressed and suffer from procrastination, remember to ask yourself whether you love the genre in which you’re writing.
When I started as a writer many years ago, I wrote because I found a genre which appealed to me; I thought, “I can write this.” Find a genre to which you have the same reaction.
5. Test your genre with snippets: can you find drama?
Write snippets. I’ve suggested that if you write snippets, you can write anywhere:
If you habitually write from stories’ beginnings to endings, try writing in snippets: write whatever occurs to you, in the moment.
Writers daydream. We see a situation or person in our minds’ eye, and write what we see. Is there drama? Do you feel as if you want to go on writing?
Sometimes there’s drama and you want to explore… Do it. Remember to ask yourself: “what fiction genre is this?”
Have fun. 🙂
If you’ve been watching new authors achieve their dreams, you’re wondering whether you can become a successful author too. You can. “The One Week Fiction Author: Have Fun And Turn Your Imagination Into Profits” is a program designed specifically for new authors. It’s for you if you’re ready to kickstart your writing career and transform your imagination into a profitable business.Introducing: The One Week Fiction Author: Have Fun And Turn Your Imagination Into Profits
How To Write, Even If You Think You Can’t: 21 Easy Exercises To Bring Out The Writer In You
Is writing a struggle for you?
You CAN write. It doesn’t matter why you think you can’t. You can write, and writing will become easy for you.
Do you find writing a struggle?
I work with writing students every day who believe that they “can’t write.” And yet, they must write, for one reason or another. My students include: * Business people who need to write for their job: their livelihood depends on writing frequently, and well; * A group I call my “at last” writers, who finally have time in their lives to write. They have time to write… and now they find that the words won’t come. It’s a cruel irony; * Hobbyist writers, who’ve enjoyed writing, but are suddenly blocked. They’re disappointed, because their writing brought them joy. They have no idea how they’ll get the joy back; * Professional writers who’re burned out. They need to write; writing is their business. However, writing’s become a stressful chore. They procrastinate. Their clients are angry. One writer signed a book contract, and by the time she got in touch with me, the deadline had long passed.Try these easy exercises. They teach writing processes and strategies which work.
These exercises have helped many writers. They’ll help you, too. You CAN write. It doesn’t matter why you think you can’t. You can write, and writing will become easy for you. Each exercise in this book helps you to write, even though you think you can’t. Some exercises take under five minutes. None will take you longer than an hour. You can build on your exercises later, if you’re inspired to create a complete work. For example, Exercise #4 – Tell Me a Story, often produces seeds of stories. Use your intuition. Pick an exercise a day – any exercise which appeals to you on that day. Alternatively, write your way through them all. You can repeat an exercise as many times as you like. Let’s get started. These exercises will change your writing life.
