How to know what genre to write

When wanting to write a book, no doubt the question of genre pops into your mind.

Genre is simply a way to categorize books, and I don’t necessarily see it as a box that holds books inside. It’s more of a way to describe what you’re writing, so people can get a feel for what sort of story to expect.

So if you are writing a book, or wanting to, how can you know what genre is the right one for you to write?

There are different takes on how to decide what genre to pick.

There’s choosing the genre you read.

Choosing the genre you want to write.

Choosing the genre you least expect.

With so many ways to pick a genre, and none of them inherently wrong, I think it’s safe to say that there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong genre for you. But there might be better or worse matches.

How can you tell if a genre is a good match for you to write?

Reading preference

Reading preference is one of the easy ways to see what you are drawn to. Personally, I enjoy reading classics and historical fiction. So this tells me that I am drawn to those genres, and that I may enjoy creating stories in those genres too. But it isn’t the be all end all. I have enjoyed writing several different books that fall into genres I never read. So, although reading preference is a good starting point, it is hardly the only way to delve into what genre is right for you.

Story ideas

The story ideas you have can point to what genre you may like writing. If lots of sci fi type stories come to your mind, then maybe that’s because you long to write a sci fi book. Have a look at the story ideas you have and try to slot them into genres. Remember that books don’t have to fall into one specific genre, but can span across two or three (or more). Once you have had a look at those genres and story ideas, you may get a feel for which ones keep repeating. If all your stories are set back in time, perhaps that’s means you simply enjoy writing historical fiction.

Knowledge and experience

I really don’t like limiting myself by this. But knowledge and experience could play a role in what genre you write. For instance, if you are a mechanic or engineer you might find writing sci fi or futuristic books easy. Or maybe you know a ton about plants and the natural world; this could help you craft an epic fantasy world. Our interests and knowledge outside of writing can help guide our stories. What interests you in life? What do you feel you have special knowledge on?

Quizzes

I have mixed feelings about quizzes. Online, you can search up “what genre should I write” quizzes. I have partaken of several of these over the years. Mostly just for fun, but I think a small part of me thinks it would be nice to just be told what to write and not have to think about it. Although quizzes are fun, I’m not sure how accurate they are. Of course, they might catch an inkling of who you are and what you may enjoy writing, but ultimately it’s up to us to make that decision and find out for ourselves.

What you like writing

What do you actually just enjoy writing? Because, ultimately, this is what matters. No matter how much you look into your reading preferences, story ideas, knowledge; and no matter how many quizzes you do, if you don’t enjoy writing that genre, what’s the point? Sit down to write and see what flows. That is likely what you are meant to write.

I’ve often questioned why I write futuristic novels if I have never read a single one. But the truth is, I just enjoy writing them. So I’m not going to stop simply because I don’t feel qualified or justified. I’m going to write what brings my creativity and purpose alive.

What will you write next…

After asking yourself a few questions, I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble figuring out what genre you should write. Even if it takes a book or two before you discover what you truly love, what a worth while journey!

It’s also important not to limit oneself to one genre. Even if one genre is your favourite, that doesn’t mean you can’t write other genres too. Being a romance author doesn’t stop you from being a sci fi author either as well, or at the same time.

I don’t think I have finished my exploration in different genres. I think it is exciting as a writer to challenge myself to write something different than I’m used to. Who knows…I might really love it.

I’ve mostly written historical romance fiction and futuristic adventure drama stories. Maybe I’ll step into other realms. Maybe I’ll write a fantasy book, or tread into mystery novels. Who knows where different genres could take me, who knows where they could take you.

If you would like to learn more about writing, feel free to browse more blog posts here , or contact me if you have any questions. You can also find me on YouTube at The Windy Wildflower, or the podcast at The Windy Wildflower Podcast. We talk about writing, songwriting, and being a Christian creative in all these places. I also have a free writing resource you can grab on this website here! Join me on the journey of learning to glorify God with our creativity and making dreams a reality.

Till next time friends,

Nika