Do you write in your favourite genres?

[caleb72]

I would probably call myself a 'wannabe' writer. I would like to write stories but have never really done so. However, it doesn't stop me thinking about stories I might like to write.

What has interested me lately is that although I tend to read science fiction, fantasty and horror more than any other genre, none of the stories that appeal to me as a writer come from that genre.

Admittedly, I don't have a very large list of stories in my head so I might be dwelling in statistical insignificance at this point. However, so far my leanings have been towards general fiction.

I'm just wondering as a writer do you write in your favourite genres as a reader?

Regards
Caleb

[Worldwalker]

I think you have to read the genre you write in. It would be difficult if not impossible to write, say, a mystery, without reading mysteries and understanding how they're written. You really have to internalize the genre. Fill in any genre you want there; what it comes down to is that you really need to read the books that your target market reads.

[caleb72]

I was more interested in people writing outside of preferred/favourite genres rather than people writing in genres they've never read before.

In the example I gave, I've read many books of a more general fiction genre. However, I tend to gravitate towards Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror.

But I take your point, reading in a particular genre does allow you to understand its form better, so that you can follow or break the "rules" in a deliberate manner.

Regards
Caleb

[John Carroll]

My primary books are in fantasy and my short stories are in Sci-fi, which is the other genre I write in.

However, I intend to write a short paranormal romance to attract more readers and to see how I do. I'd like to expand my horizons. I also intend to write a horror or two, but that's just cuz I'm scary.

[TC Beacham]

I've written both general fiction and mystery, and those are the ones I read.

As long as you've read enough to know the genre, why not go for it - especially if you're going for the hot genres with lots of sales?

[Lemurion]

As a reader, I prefer science fiction to fantasy.

As a writer, I prefer fantasy to science fiction.

I read and write both - along with other genres, but those are my preferences. The story-making part of my brain simply responds better to fantasy ideas than science fiction ones.

[kcmay]

So far, I write exclusively in the genres I most like to read: Fantasy, Sci-Fi and thrillers. I think it's much harder to write books in genres we don't love because we don't know what's fresh and what's been done to death. If I were to try to write, say, paranormal romance, I would utterly fail because I have no passion for the genre. That's not to say I can't enjoy it as a reader. Some readers need to love the genre they write, and I'm one of them.

[John Carroll]

Originally Posted by kcmay

If I were to try to write, say, paranormal romance, I would utterly fail because I have no passion for the genre.

I just tried doing exactly that. Paranormal romance is the big thing nowadays and I thought that writing a free short story would be a good way to gain new readers.

The problem is, it just didn't interest me. I thought of various ideas and started to write down a few paragraphs, but there was no passion in it for me as you say. I was forcing myself to write.

I went back to my fantasy book and the words started flowing again. At this point, I think having some interest in the genre is vital. It was an interesting experiment though.

[caleb72]

Thanks guys.

For me, I think fantasy, science fiction and horror are fantastic genres to read, but I haven't really had any ideas for stories of my own.

So far, my ideas on what to write about have come directly from my life. I've looked at a situation and said to myself, "There's a story there!". I become interested in the people involved, what motivates them, what I can explore etc...

The only fantasy idea I came up with was given birth in a dream - and it's since faded from memory.

Maybe I should give myself a break. I'm not currently a writer, just thinking about it. Starting with what I know and what is around me is hardly a stupid or unnatural thing.

Regards
Caleb

[kcmay]

I think having passion for a story is the essential ingredient, whether it's in your normal reading genre or not. If there's a story in your head that must come out, it must come out!

[Sandra Edwards]

I write only in the genres I like to read. I couldn't imagine writing in a genre I don't like.

[Russell Brooks]

For sure. It would be difficult to write in a genre that I don't enjoy.

[kurzon]

I enjoy reading both fantasy, science fiction and mystery novels, but I primarily write fantasy, with some excursions into science fiction. And the more I write, the less fantasy I read, concentrating my reading on mystery novels.

I find all those lovely new fantasy novels distract me from writing my own, so must ration myself.

[bobavey]

Funny you should ask that. My favorite authors are Dean Koontz and Stephen King. However, so far I've only written mysteries. With the 3rd book in the series, yet to be released, I plan to paranormal it up a bit.

[DArenson]

I read various genres, but I write only fantasy and science fiction.