How to Pick Genres to Write in

There is a huge variety of genres from which to choose before you sit down to write some fiction. Here’s how to pick them.

You will probably hear the suggestion to write in a genre you read a lot. I don’t have a problem with this, but why limit yourself? If you have an idea and like a genre, there’s no reason why it has to be the one you read most. Of course, knowing a genre will help you, but not knowing it so well might also mean that your work is fresh and even ground-breaking. In other words, if you can imagine it, write it!

It’s okay not to know what genre you’re in. If you have an idea, write the story, and then figure out what genre it is. You may discover it as you go along, an Editor might enlighten you, or a Beta Reader might know where your book will belong on the shelves. Also, some books fit into more than one genre or have aspects from many. You could end up writing a sci-fi thriller horror romance!

There’s no need to pick just one. I’ve heard the comment that Authors are best at one genre. I’m sure that’s true for some, but unless you try, you won’t know which genre(s) you write well in. So you don’t have to only ever write in the first genre you pick. All you need to do is pick an idea and start writing!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting about writing in various genres. Next Tuesday, it’s science fiction!