Monday Motivation: 5 Ways to Blend Genres Without Losing the Reader

[Writers Digest]

In this issue, learn how to effectively blend genres without losing readers; plus, much more.

In this issue, learn how to blend genres without losing readers; plus, an interview with pirateaba, tips for writing dark academia, writing cozies, and much more!  Writer's Digest Online | Writer's Digest Shop | Online Education 5 Ways to Blend Genres Without Losing the Reader Every genre comes with expectations from readers. Fantasy readers expect rich world-building, intriguing magic, and a way to escape into another place or time. Romance readers expect big emotional stakes, interpersonal conflict, and a love story to root for. Historical fiction readers expect a well-researched portrayal of the time period to take them back and hopefully connect the past to the present. (21 Popular Fantasy Tropes for Writers.) A single genre is a contract with readers that their expectations will be met (or pleasantly subverted). A story that blends multiple genres is multiple contracts, but we don’t want our readers to feel like they’re signing a mortgage. Fulfilling multiple sets of expectations takes a good deal of effort and care. When it's done well, blending genres feels like an inevitability. Like the story could only have been told this way. When it's done poorly, it feels like a battle, with two tones grappling for control. Here are some tips to keep it all friendly: a hug instead of a boxing match. Read more... MORE MOTIVATION 6 Tips for Writing Dark Academia Author De Elizabeth shares her top six tips for writing dark academia, including some recommended reading for writers. Read more... pirateaba: Writing Should Be an Adventure "Writing is like running. You can do it how you want. You can walk, skip, hop backwards. Anything to keep it fun. Writing should be something that sucks at times, that you can force yourself to do. But it should also be something you want to do, and you push yourself at." Read more... Writing a Stand Alone Book That Could Become a Series Author Stella Sands shares why she moved from true crime to fiction and how a stand alone book turned into a novel series. Read more... Writing That Matters, Writing the Truth In this issue, we’re focusing on writing what matters, because writing matters more than ever. Whether it’s advice for writing emotions that give fiction deeper life truths, writing about so-called taboo topics that deserve to be addressed, or writing about hard truths in memoir, this issue aims to give writers the courage to create writing that matters.   Click here to learn more >> Why Cozy Stories Are Harder to Write Than They Look Author Kathleen Fuller breaks down why low-conflict, high-comfort (or cozy) stories are harder to write than they are to read. Read more... From Your Writer's Digest Editor: Robert Lee Brewer Robert Lee Brewer is a senior editor for Writer’s Digest and former editor of the Writer's Market book series. He is also the author of Smash Poetry Journal and Solving the World's Problems. He attended his first cross country meet of the season over the weekend. Active Interest Media 2143 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 USA View online You received this email because you are subscribed to newsletters from Writer's Digest Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.