Writing Advice: Write in a Different Genre

Have you ever written in a genre other than your usual one?

Many authors (myself included) tend to stick to one, or at most two, genres. For example, I enjoy fantasy, so most of the stories I create will be in the fantasy section; however, that doesn’t mean I’ll never write a small horror or romance story every once in a while, and I’ll explain why.

Each genre has its perks that you could learn from. If you want to improve your visual storytelling and create an interesting atmosphere, take a quick peek at the horror section.

What if you aren’t good at writing romance? Have you read any romance stories lately? What do they have that your story is lacking?

Now, when I say I write other genres, I don’t mean that I’ll create an entire novel, more so I’ll think of a small scene or chapter in my current story and be like, “this is a horror chapter now”, and see if I can learn anything.

I find writing in a different genre than what I’m used to can be refreshing and fun. It’s a bit of a challenge for me in a couple of ways.

Do I know my characters well enough that if they were transported into a different genre, would I be able to figure out how they would react?

How is my ability to tell a story in a different genre?

I also found that if I’m in a bit of a writing slump, simply changing direction and writing in a different genre can spark some creativity to help me get out of my slump.

There’s so much you can learn if you take a little peek in the other lanes instead of staying in your own. You don’t have to be a master of every genre, but if you’ve been getting consistent feedback saying your visuals or descriptions are a bit lacking, perhaps take a look at stories where visuals and descriptions are the main selling point and do a bit of comparison between their stories and yours. And then, if you think you might have an understanding, write in the other genre for a bit and see how it feels.

Writing Advice: So you've broken up with your story?

It happens. More often than people like to admit. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve given up on, and honestly? It just is what it is.

(Ugh, I hate that phrase. But sometimes it’s the only one that fits.)

Falling out of love with a story isn’t the same as falling out of love with writing. It just means that this particular story, this idea, this draft, this “relationship”, isn’t working anymore. So, what do you do?

Sometimes, the cleanest choice is to let go and start fresh. A blank page. A new story. A new idea that isn’t tangled up in frustration or burnout. Treat it like an actual breakup, don’t look back, don’t re-read old scenes, just move forward and create something new.

But what if you still love the story? What if the idea still matters to you, but it just doesn’t feel right?

In that case, I go full Frankenstein. I dig through the wreckage and salvage the parts I still love, characters, moments, world building elements, and transplant them into something else. Something that might work better. Something that gives those good ideas a second chance.

When I used to write fanfics, I had one character who kept showing up in almost every story I started. The plots never worked out, but that character stuck with me. I never found the right story for them at the time, but I wasn’t ready to let them go either. Sometimes, it takes a while for good ideas to find their home.

There’ve been times when I couldn’t let a story go, no matter how much it frustrated me. So, instead of rewriting it line-by-line, I’d restart it entirely, from a fresh angle, with a slightly different tone or theme. Maybe it’s the same world and lore, but it’s got a new coat of paint. A new perspective. And often, that’s enough to spark something new.

Of course, if you’ve been working on something for years, hearing “just start a new story” doesn’t help. You’ve invested time, effort, and emotion, and walking away from that can feel like a failure. I get it. I’ve been there. It sucks.

When I’m feeling that way, I step back. Not forever. Just for a week. A little space. Then, if I still care about the story but can’t see how to fix it, I give it to a friend. A fresh pair of eyes can see things you might've missed after staring at the same sentence for the hundredth time.

I once dreaded editing a section of a manuscript I was certain was weak. But when a friend read it, they told me it was one of the strongest parts. That little bit of outside perspective snapped me out of my spiral and reminded me that maybe the story wasn’t broken, perhaps I was just too deep in it.

People say writing is a solo act, but to me, it’s a dance. You and your story need to move in sync. You need rhythm. You need trust. You need to know when to lead and when to let the story take the next step. And when that rhythm’s off, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. It just means that maybe, for now, this story isn’t the one.

But that doesn’t mean it’s over forever. Some stories come back to you years later. Some characters don’t shut up until you finally find the right place for them. Others quietly fade, and that’s okay, too.

If you’ve broken up with a story, you’re not alone. You’re not a failure. You’re just evolving.

Keep writing. The next dance partner might be the one that fits just right.

Writing Advice: Writing With Your Emotions

 I’m not a therapist, but sometimes, writing while you’re feeling big emotions can be a good thing.

I remember writing after I lost my dog. That day, I must’ve written somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 words. I was heartbroken, and I didn’t know what else to do except write. So that’s what I did.

Let me be clear: I’m not saying writing will fix everything or that you have to write when you’re upset. 

However, if you need an outlet, writing might be helpful.

You don’t have to write your manuscript. You don’t even have to make sense. The words can be messy and chaotic, just like your emotions. That’s okay.

Writing can help us process our emotions. In fact, some of the best stories and most memorable characters emerge from individuals who were going through a difficult time. For example, I often write happy endings. Why? Because I usually feel sad, and I don’t want my characters to feel the same way. (That doesn’t mean I won’t drag them through hell though.) But that sadness? That real emotion? It shows up in my work. I’ve had people tell me the way I write certain feelings, especially grief or loneliness, feels real. That’s because I was feeling those things while writing them.

Emotions are powerful. So is writing. Combine them, and you can create something incredible.

But there’s a flip side, too...don’t get trapped in your work.

Sometimes, people pour so much of themselves into their stories, especially during hard times, that they can’t pull away from it. They start living in the emotional world they’ve built, and it becomes harder to process those feelings in real life.

If you’re a gamer, the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 explains this idea really well.

Spoiler Warning for Expedition 33

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In the game, the Paintress is a grieving mother who get's trapped in a world of paint to escape the death of her son. If she stays too long, the world of paint will destroy her. Eventually, she has to be forcibly pulled out, because she can’t let go.

It’s fiction, but the message is real. Sometimes, we use our art to process things, but we can’t live there forever. That’s why it’s essential to step back. Talk to people. Rest. Heal outside the page, too.

Writing is powerful...but your well-being matters more.

Your story can wait one more day if you need it to.

Writing Advice: Your first draft will suck...and that's fine

 After more years than I can count on my fingers, I’ve finally finished my first book.

And when I say your first draft and your final version will look nothing alike, I mean it.

When I first started learning how to write, I used a script-style format because I thought it’d be easier. No pesky descriptions, no imagery to worry about. (In hindsight, discovering I have aphantasia would’ve explained a lot.)

Back then, I was so proud of my first draft, (as you should be!) that I’d get genuinely upset when people told me it wasn’t good. (I was a kid, and I thought I’d nailed it.)

It wasn’t until I rewrote that story that I thought, “Wait... this new version is actually better.” Fast forward through decades of repeating that process, and I finally reached a point where I had to force myself to stop rewriting and just let the story be.

Here’s the truth: writing is a skill. Like any skill, you only get better the more you do it.

Your first draft? It’s wonderful. Not because it’s perfect, it won’t be, but because you finished it. And that’s something to be proud of. Most people never even complete one draft, so you’re already ahead.

The Difference Between Beginners and Experienced Writers:

• A beginner looks at their work and thinks, “This is done. Nothing to fix.”
• An experienced writer looks at their manuscript and always finds something to add, cut, or improve.

Accepting that your first draft isn’t your best work is the first step to becoming a better writer. Spotting flaws, understanding what doesn’t work, and learning how to fix it...that’s where growth happens.

But what if you’re stuck? What if you know your draft isn’t working but can’t figure out why? Get a buddy to read it. Fresh eyes catch things you’ve missed. Just be ready because feedback can be brutal, and that’s a good thing. Honest critique helps you grow faster than anything else. 

The same logic applies to stories, not just drafts. Your first story won’t be as good as your second, and your third will be even better. That’s something I’ve learned as I prepare to publish my debut novel. I already know my next book will be stronger, and I’m still proud of this one.

Keeping that first book, flaws and all, is crucial to me. It’s a record of how far I’ve come. When I look back, I’ll see not just mistakes but growth.

So, if you look back at your first draft and cringe a little?

Good.

It means you’ve grown.