Hello,
Here is the first question for my new monthly blog topic for writers and authors. Please join in the discussion.
Should you pick the genre before beginning your story or figure out what genre it is after you have written it?
We can ask, answer and give our opinions in the comments on this post or subsequent Thursdays in January. Let’s make it as interactive as possible.
What is your genre preference?
How do you decide on the genre?
Would picking the genre first make it more difficult to write the story or not?
Do you merge genres to match your story?
Now-a-days there are many merged genres so it is easy to combined a couple (or more) to make your narrative ‘fit’ but is that okay or not?
More discussion on Thursday 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st January. We may go off topic slightly, reveal writing styles, publishing house experiences, agent advice or …
Let each other know about you!
My experience:
I have always written free flow so never think what the genre might be as I write the narrative. That comes later once the story has completed the first draft and I read it through, making revisions and getting to know the theme of the narrative. Sometimes the characters define the genre and other times it is the story structure and theme.
I have children’s books, YA novellas and several adult novels, so am a multi-genre author. I am led by the story initially, which can be sparked from an overheard conversation, a life event, a prompt/photo or an experience on a road trip.
What about you?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 
January 5, 2019 at 8:09 pm
My genre preference is noir suspense thriller murder mystery! But my writing is more literary than genre and that makes it problematic when it comes to sales and marketing because promotion departments and bookstores like to have a simple, clear-cut definition.
I’m often asked for current, similar examples in bookstores of my books, and that’s very hard to do! I’d love to reply: “I set out to write good story, something readers can sink their teeth into, it’s fiction, that’s what it is!” But booksellers want something less complicated. I’ve described my work as Little House on the Prairie meets Pulp Fiction and what genre would that be?.
I didn’t set out to write this way, in fact, I’ve tried really hard to write formulaic genre mystery but it’s just not my style. Sometimes you’ve got to go with what you’ve been given! Thanks Mandy!
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January 5, 2019 at 9:26 pm
Thanks for dropping by Lisa. Yes sometimes our stories have no genre slot to fit into and that’s when we create our own!
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January 5, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Life writing is my genre. The forms vary: journal writing, personal essays, poems, short stories,and autobiographical narratives. These forms end up in collections. I want the pieces to be realistic. I find fiction difficult to write. I have a novel in first draft and autobiographical fiction pieces and even they are life writing. The writing comes first, then the genre follows.
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January 5, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Sometimes it is best to stick to what we know as our ‘voice’ and follow that before deciding on the genre. Thanks for contributing.
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January 5, 2019 at 6:49 pm
I write second chance love stories with the primary characters age 45 and over. I chose the main genre because I wanted to portray mid-life women as resilient, attractive, productive people still fully engaged in life and capable of enjoying romantic adventures. Their men treat them well and respect their talents. I do like to include a little goofiness on both sides when it comes to figuring out relationships. Although the main genre is romance, there are elements of women’s fiction and rom-com. So, I guess I do choose the overall genre first, but the blending elements appear as the characters and plot develop. .
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January 5, 2019 at 9:32 pm
Finding your genre voice may give you the upper hand when writing, you know the ‘requirements’ for the story so have a structure that allows you to write with confidence. Thank you for joining the discussion.
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January 4, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Genre tends to come second for my process. The genre of choice comes up naturally as the plot, characters and conflict unfold. Sometimes I’m not sure what the genre is, but did get a handy booklet called Genre A Short Reference Guide and Dictionary by R. L. Bennett that has descriptions for each genre.
Once the first draft is done I look up in the booklet, then research about the genre and revise the manuscript.
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January 4, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Thank you for contributing. I will have to find this booklet!
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January 5, 2019 at 4:59 pm
I generally have some sort of idea of what genre I am writing in, I don’t pick it though, it all depends on what will fit the story that wants to be told. Same goes for style I use. I believe there are no bad writing ideas, just not the right format or style
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January 5, 2019 at 9:38 pm
I am the same, I let the story decide it’s own genre. It usually becomes clear the deeper into the story I get. Thanks for participating.
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January 4, 2019 at 9:34 am
I never consider genre at all. I’m not even sure there is a genre name for my style of writing – maybe ‘realism’ would fit as my characters act and speak as normal people and there are no situations in my stories that could not happen to real people or be a part of normal day-to-day living in our society.
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January 4, 2019 at 10:05 am
Thank you for joining the conversation.
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January 4, 2019 at 9:09 am
Many of my stories tend to be paranormal, but I go where the characters take me.
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January 4, 2019 at 9:15 am
Thanks for contributing. It means a lot
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