I’ve spent a great deal of time lately thinking about the different genre options out there. There are so many and even within a genre, there might be sub-genre’s that continue on and one possibly with even more sub-genre’s. Confused yet? Yeah.
So, what genre do you find yourself writing a lot of? What genre’s do you potentially avoid? Have you ever stepped outside the box and tried one that you hadn’t before.
Last year when working on a new novel idea I had, I decided I wanted to take a crack at Chick Lit which was a genre I never really thought I’d be any good at. Guess what I found out? I wasn’t.
That isn’t what you thought I was going to say is it?
The whole book started out as a Chick Lit tone and before I got to chapter 5, my MC’s were practically screaming at me to stop the insanity.
I learned a valuable tip several years ago. When you want to write a genre, you need to read at least 100 books in that genre before you attempt to write it. Why? For several reasons.
1. It gives you a good sense of the writing style and point of view and character traits that you must use in your book. Nobody says you have to stick to them, but it certainly gives you a good beginning.
2. It allows you to see what is out there already. I can also tell you it is a wonderful Writer’s Block tool when you are simply stuck and not sure what to write. Sometimes reading a book in a specific genre might give you an idea you might not have thought of before. It will also give you an idea of what stories might have run their course and what works and doesn’t work.
3. Consider it research. Reading so many books in a particular genre puts you in the mood, gets you thinking outside the box hopefully, and accomplishes the research needed to see what styles certain authors seem to go with.
4. It just makes sense. It might not make sense to you, but here’s the scoop. A good writer usually enjoys reading. If you aren’t willing to put in the time to read what’s out there, what makes you think that what you have to say is interesting enough or even special enough that anyone else should take the time to read it?
5. One hundred books seems like a lot, but if you really think about it, you’ve probably already read some, and if you can estimate a number it just looks smaller. Can you read fast? If you can read fast you might be able to read a book or two a week (or more for some speed readers).
So don’t put it off anymore. Just figure out the genre you want to write, and go with it. Best of luck!
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