Creative writing is a broad genre and can encompass many different styles and techniques. Depending on your interests, you can develop your own unique voice and style. Below, you’ll discover a variety of the most common genres and the defining elements that separate one genre from another. This should help you develop your creative writing skills and appreciate all the various genres out there.
Mysteries
Mysteries are a popular choice among emerging and experienced writers alike. They are easy to comprehend but difficult to solve, inviting the reader to get involved and debate the details. Despite their popularity, mysteries can be quite challenging to write. The main challenge comes from the fact that there are so many formulas and conventions to follow. When writing a mystery, it is essential to keep the reader engaged and questioning throughout the entire piece. The best way to do this is by using all the available resources, including your own experience, that you can get your hands on. For example, did you solve the mystery or are you still searching for the truth? Whatever the outcome, the reader should be able to relate and understand what happened based on the evidence you presented.
Satires
Satires are another popular choice among writers. Satires poke fun at various social issues, religious beliefs, cultural differences, and anything else that the author may find interesting or relevant. They’re often used to criticize and ridicule the subject matter that they are depicting. Satires can be a form of social commentary or just plain old humor. Regardless, most satires involve some sort of social critique mixed with humorous elements.
Satires are one of the easier genres to get into. Simply follow the basic rules of satire:
- Make fun of something
- Be funny
- Stay somewhat relevant
With these basics in mind, you can start to develop your own style and voice for your satires. There is a wide variety of satirical styles available, so you are bound to find one that suits you perfectly.
Romantic
Romantic fiction takes the form of a narrative that focuses on the relationship between two or more characters. The key to writing successfully in this genre is to establish an intimate connection between the reader and the characters. This connection should make the reader feel as though they are a part of the story even though they are just reading about it. In order to achieve this, you must show the reader as much as possible through the use of descriptive language and unique characters. This type of writing can be a challenge, especially if you want to maintain a romantic tone.
Horror
Speaking of challenges, horror is another genre that you may find difficult to break into if you’re not used to writing in a dark place. Most stories in the horror genre take place in a setting that is completely dark and the characters are usually shown using only light or flashlights. This kind of writing can be quite challenging, as you must find ways to make your characters and settings come alive, even if it’s just in your imagination. Even if you’re not a huge fan of horror films, you may find writing about them very interesting, as you can experiment with different perspectives and unique settings. Once you get the hang of it, you may find that it is one of the most liberating and creative writing genres out there.
Science Fiction
Science fiction involves the combination of science and fiction, exploring various concepts such as time travel and alternate universes. While it may be difficult to break into, science fiction is a fantastic genre to build a library of stories and characters from. The key to writing successfully in this genre is to establish a strong sense of perspective. You must show the reader that you understand the interplay of science and technology with society, as well as the impact that this has on the lives of each individual. A strong sense of detail also goes a long way in establishing credibility in this genre. If you can combine all these elements effectively, you can write some fantastic science fiction!
Action
Action stories usually involve one or more characters who struggle with various obstacles, overcome these obstacles, and finally achieve their goal. The key to writing an action story is to establish a clear purpose for the story. You must determine how the conflict, or series of conflicts, will finally lead to a satisfying conclusion for the protagonist. Most action stories tell us the climax will be heroic in nature and involve the character combating various physical challenges or puzzles, as well as some moral ones. If you can do all of this in a way that is both exciting to read and believable, you can definitely write some exciting action stories!
Choosing a genre can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. But don’t worry, breaking into any of these genres is actually a lot easier than you’d think, and above, you’ll discover a variety of tips and tricks that may help you on your journey to becoming a creative writer!