Choosing a Genre:

I have read a lot on the web about ‘choosing your genre’ and sticking to it. Creating your “brand” so to speak. While I don’t like the word ‘brand’, I do understand the importance of letting your readers know what to expect. They buy the next book because the first two were excellent. If you normally publish steamy romances and all of a sudden you publish a sci-fi full of blood and guts, your regular readers will probably turn up their noses. (That is if it got past your publisher). Sales would probably drop and you would be very unhappy.

Building a steady fan base is essential. Look at prolific authors in their genre. Say Stephen King. We know what to expect and would likely buy the next title he produces with barely a glance at the blurb. We trust that author.

No i’m not saying that no author goes outside these rules, i’m just saying that it is beneficial.

What Genre do I Pick Then?

Recently I have been struggling with the question of what genre do I actually want to end up publishing in?

This is a big question for me as I am so passionate about so many different writing genres. I love contemporary, I love ‘war stories’, I love fantasy, love historical fiction and have been rather partial to some of the paranormal works coming out recently. In particular books written by India Drummond. Cassandra Clare’s more steampunk novels have been a real favorite of mine as well.

I have stories of my own that touch on so many of these genres. My head is pulsing with the images of so many people, so many scenarios and so many settings that I am desperate to get across. I have started fantastic contemporary, a mystery, a steampunk, fantasy and Historical. I love them all –> How to choose?

A few days ago i came across Rachelle Gardner’s post on “Picking your Genre”. She said that you had to. (Or rather that you should) It kicked me into gear. However it wasn’t quite the way she may have intended.

My Questions

How early in my career do I need to choose a genre?

How do you know genre suits you best?

My Answers

Bear in mind that I am a new at writing when i answer this. This is an answer that I have come up with for myself about my own writing. Rachelle Gardner’s post, and my own self-reflection on the issue, led me to believe that right now I should not be too worried. That I should focus on writing. That if I explore each genre, get practice in each genre that the answer will fall in place. That manuscript will stand out amongst them all.

If that means I write all four or five books so be it. I’m sure i will need at least this number of books under my belt to be able to write well. –> Back to the writing desk Sarah.

Of course my own enjoyment will come into it but i’m sure to create a book worthy of publication their must be some love, no?

So the answer to the dilemma is clear. It became my motto –> “Just Write”

Don’t worry about the genre, focus on getting words on the paper. Let that decision crawl out of the page on it’s own accord.

Don’t choose your genre, let the genre choose you.

Sarah Ketley

Sarah Ketley - Choosing your Writing Genre.