For a lot of new writers, selecting a story genre sometimes feels like being in a bookstore for three hours, checking every section, and still being confused about what you are searching for. But now you don’t need to worry because it is very normal for a writer to feel this. Now, you are wondering what the good news is? You can now easily find the perfect idea and genre for your story. This guide will educate you on how you can select the best genre for your story.
Write On The Topic You Love (Yes, This Actually Matters)
So the trick is so simple, you have to start from what you really enjoy reading. If your bookshelf is full of thrilling books, then why force yourself to write horror romance? Pushing yourself to write a completely different genre is like dancing on an old, sad song when all you listen to are modern pop songs.
When you write the stories you love, it naturally shapes your writing style and make it full of emotions. Writing becomes your friend, and you stop feeling like you are doing homework when your storytelling is good. And maybe you won’t believe me, but your reader can truly sense the difference. Writing on a topic that feels boring to you will definitely be boring for a reader.
Find The Core Of Your Story
Every story does have a core, and that is called its heartbeat. You really have yourself before selecting your genre: “What is this story really about?” Core basically is what the story is conveying, like a fairy tale type where two people are trying to find a way back to each other, where a hero is fighting for his life, or a simple story that teaches life lessons.
The genre you select is basically an outfit you use for writing stories. For example. If a story has a love story and a murder mystery, then it is called Romantic suspense. Let’s look at another example, where a hero loses himself in heartbreak, then he starts travelling and finds life again. This type is called “Literary Fiction.” So, choosing a genre depends only on you, and it’s all in your hands how you give your story a heartbeat.
Match Your Personality Type
If you think that genre is not for writers, then you are wrong. Genre is all about writers, but many of them think it’s about stories. Writing is something that reflects the personality of an author. So you always need to select a genre that actually suits you. Like, if your personality traits include drama, then you can easily write about romance and fantasy.
Many writers are nosy, and I think the mystery genre can become their best writing partner. Comedy or satire is best for people who are funny naturally. So, knowing your strengths can help you write strong and informative stories.
Always Write a Test Scene
Many professional writers use this one trick: they write a short scene in two or three different genres to see which one feels write. Let’s imagine that you have a story idea where a little girl finds an old key in her grandmother’s closet. Now you have to write in different genres, like mystery, fantasy, and horror.
This will help you know immediately which version feels more appealing. You will know exactly the scene that you want to continue writing.
Ask for Reliable Help, When in Doubt
Numerous writers have amazing and unique thoughts in their minds, but somehow they don’t know what their genre is or how to turn their thoughts into words. Writers usually know what their genre is, but some of them stare at their story for months. If you also feel the same, then you are on the right page. There are many platforms available where you can hire professional writers to continue to write your story.
These experts help you make your story writing journey easy by stopping you from mixing different genres. They will give your story a natural direction. And no buddy, it’s not cheating, it actually saves you from confusion and wasting your time.
Don’t Let Trends Confuse You
Each year, there are some hot genres that appear, which push every author to write. For example, vampires, World Apocalyptic, Viruses, Robots, or Barbies. These genres come in trend every year, and the audience loves to read these types of genres. But if you are a beginner, then you shouldn’t do this because by the time your book is ready. The publishing world will have already moved on to something new. So, you should always write what you genuinely love.
If You’re Writing an eBook, Think Marketing Too
Many writers plan to publish their story on digital platforms, like Kindle. But this is where they have to become a little strategic because genre matters a lot here. You have to keep each category in your mind while writing.
Beginner writers now prefer to take help from ebook writers to make their books well-structured so they can fit the expectations of that specific genre market. If you want to become a good ebook writer, then you need to learn reader psychology, pacing, and you also need to understand how category placement works. This will make your story look more attractive.
To Sum It All
Here I will tell a secret that every newbie should know: you don’t have to be perfect. You are a human who can make mistakes. Don’t take a lot of pressure because you are allowed to do experiments, change your genres, and switch your path if something stops you from enjoying writing.
Just try to keep the facts I mentioned above in your mind. Writing is an art, and not everyone can become one, but with the right help, you can easily become a good writer. So, always take a deep breath before selecting a genre, and then start writing. And if you get stuck on something, ask for online help. It will make your writing journey easier and change your whole experience of writing.