Hey guys! So I know that this post is a day early but I just happen to be going on a road trip and so I won’t be able to post on Friday like I usually do because driving won’t give me a chance to post. So, this weeks post is going to be just a little bit early. So without further ado,
Getting Started: Writing Different Genres
Alright. So, one of the many things that I would suggest a new writer do is to write all sorts of different genres. Of course you need to know a little bit about those different genres but that’s research that I’m going to leave up to you. Writing in different genres does all sorts of things for yourself but mostly its just a good idea for any writer. I’m going to first talk about the benefits of writing in different genres and then I’m going to briefly discuss how to do it (which probably won’t sound super good because I suck at changing genres).
First of all writing in a different genre can expand your writing ability. For example, if you usually write fantasy and you’re really good at writing those quest type books then you should maybe try your hand at a mystery novel. A mystery novel could help you practice your foreshadowing which is needed in all kinds of books not just in mystery. You could try writing a science fiction novel which expands your ability to think of new technology and get creative with your world building. Speaking of worldbuilding, writing fantasy novels will help you expand that skill as well. Every genre out there has something for you to improve in. Writing romance (although this isn’t my favorite) actually does help to develop your emotional writing skills. A lot of emotion is required in a romance novel and so your emotional writing in other areas also becomes better.
Writing in other genres helps writers closer to publishing as well because publishing in multiple genres opens up your connections in the writing worlds, brings in more income by opening up your writing to more audiences and helps you to understand the publishing world from all sorts of different areas.
However, writing in different genres can be hard. I know. I’ve tried. Remember when I told you I’d tried to write a historical fiction novel that failed so bad that I decided to never ever ever ever write a historical fiction book ever again. Yeah. That is still the reason that I don’t write historical fiction novels despite how much I like to read them. I do have a few tips and tricks for trying to write in a different genre. They don’t always work and sometimes you have to pick and choose the tips, but I think they are helpful nonetheless.
1. Read the genres you want to write
Believe it or not people actually don’t read the genres they write sometimes and I’ll tell you a secret. *whispers* The readers can tell. *end whisper* Lots of genres are as different from each other as night and day. They have different literary elements that have more importance than others. They’re plot lines complexity may change. The characters mannerisms or occupation might have to change depending on the genre. Reading the genre that you want to write is important because you’ll start to pick up those literary elements that are important. You’re writing voice might change to fit the style of the genre and you’ll notice different character traits appearing. Sometimes the best writing research to do (and the most fun) is simply sitting down, reading a book, and letting your writer brain break it down.
2. Think about it
Here’s another simple tip that should already be self-explanatory but some people still forget when writing another genre. Think about what you are writing. Don’t jump into a story with the exact plot in mind and what genre you think it is. Sometimes you are trying to write a mystery novel but your character and plot are more akin to a fantasy novel. That doesn’t mean you have to throw away the idea. It just means you need to think about it. You need to decide if you’re going to write that fantasy idea later or change it into a mystery. Writing isn’t always rambling out onto a page (although that is what I do most often. Editing is my worst enemy). Sometimes writing in thinking ahead about your story. Even if you are a Pantser thinking about your story is still crucial to actually writing it. Especially when writing a different genre.
3. Don’t just make it up
I know a lot of writers don’t do their research. This can usually slide by in a fantasy novel (unless you mess up the names of your character weapons. That is just wrong). In science fiction novels, forensic crime novels, or historical fiction novels however, writing without researching can be disastrous. But every kind of novel has some sort of thing you need to research. If it’s a contemporary fiction novel maybe you need to know how long it will take to drive from Miami, Florida to Canada. (If someone actually knows what that is off the top of your head kudos and brownie points to you). In fantasy maybe you’re looking up your characters weapons. If it’s a romance novel maybe you are trying to research where a certain idiom came from that you’re character always uses. Whatever genre you’re writing or whatever thing you need to know please please please please please don’t just make it up.
4. Write it because it inspires you
Don’t follow the market. If vampire books are all the rage in the fiction world but you don’t like the vampire novels then DON’T WRITE IT! If you do like what is currently on the market that is really popular feel free to write that. That’s perfectly fine. But don’t just write something because the world’s readers are liking it at that time. I will tell you something important. A market favorite genre won’t stay the same forever. If it doesn’t inspire you, if you don’t enjoy writing it, or you don’t want to. Don’t write it. Writing is supposed to be fun when you are getting started. Writing is for making new places and new people and having fun living in those worlds of your mind. Don’t just write something because you’re friend said that she really liked the book she’s been reading. Write it because you want to and you like it. That’s what should matter.
So that’s all I have to say on writing different genres. Writing in different genres is challenging and it makes you think. It stretches your creative writing abilities and gives you a chance to find other things that you enjoy writing. If you haven’t tried writing in different genres as a beginning writer than test it out. It’ll be fun I promise.
That’s all I’ve got for this week guys. I’m hoping that next week’s post will be on time but I will be on vacation so no promises. But I do enjoy writing these posts. I enjoy it more when I get responses! Next week I’ll be writing about imitating other writers. How it can damage your writing AND how it can help it. So I hope you guys will be here reading next week! As usual,
Get Up, Get Writing, and Get Published. See you next week!