As a writer, you might be tempted to follow the pack and start your own genre. But what if you don’t want to?
Yes, there is such a thing as a “genre” of creative writing. But before you throw your hat in the ring and declare yourself the queen or king of your chosen genre, consider what genre you want to emulate, and why.
Here, we’ll explore the origins of creative writing and its various genres, as well as how to become the best writer you can be. Let’s get started.
What is Creative Writing?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in becoming a creative writer. But what exactly does that term mean?
The term “creative writing” tends to get thrown around quite a bit these days, but let’s take a closer look at what it means.
Creative writing can take many forms. It can be fiction, non-fiction, or a mix of both. It can be for a specific audience or just for you. It can be short stories, novellas, or full-fledged novels. And, yes, it can even be poetry!
As a creative writing student, you will study numerous different styles of writing and will be encouraged to explore your creative side and develop your own voice. Many students find that the experience turns them into better writers, not just followers.
What Genres are there?
Before you begin your journey as a creative writer, you’ll want to establish what genres you want to emulate. There are currently more than 200 different genres of creative writing out there, and aspiring writers will often find it difficult to choose just one.
You’ll have to decide if you want to write comedy or dramatic fiction. Perhaps you’ll want to be associated with one particular literary movement or school of thought. Or perhaps you want to take a more experimental approach and see what happens when you mash up different genres.
One of the biggest questions you’ll face as a creative writer is which genre to begin with. If you decide that you want to write a historical fiction novel set in the 18th century, for example, you’ll have to decide what era you want to focus on. Do you want to write about the American Revolution or the French Revolution? More importantly, how dense will your prose be? Will you use a lot of footnotes or will you describe your world in vivid detail? Your choice here will affect every other aspect of your story, including the genre you decide to go with.
When you write, it’s important to build on what you know. Therefore, if you’ve only written science fiction, it might be a good idea to begin with a short story rather than a novel. You never know what might happen in the process of developing your craft!
Why Choose a Genre You Know Nothing About?
If you’re still deciding which genre you want to focus on, it might be a good idea to choose one that you know nothing about. After all, you may end up hating it. If you’re afraid of failing, it’s sometimes better to stay away from a genre you’re not familiar with. And, as a writer, you’ll never learn if you don’t try new things.
On the other hand, if you decide to write in a genre you’re not familiar with, it can be a good idea to read widely within that genre. For example, if you decide to write in the science fiction genre, it might be a good idea to read some of the classics of the science fiction genre. Just make sure you’re not stealing anyone’s ideas!
Stealing is always a bad idea as a writer. You will not progress in your craft if you constantly think about what others have done before you. Instead, look for inspiration in the lives of those around you. What are your interests? What are your obsessions? What are your passions? Once you have established the narrative thread that you want to follow, everything else will fall into place.
The Genre You Decide on May Affect Everything
When you finally decide what genre you want to write, you’ll have to take everything into consideration. You will not be able to “jack of all trades” and “master of none.” Instead, you’ll have to establish a specialization and focus on developing your craft within that area. Even then, you may decide that you want to switch gears and become a master of multiple genres. But, for now, you’re going to stick with one.
The choice you make here will affect everything. If you decide that you want to write comedy, you will find yourself gravitating towards that genre in all your future endeavors. Even if you decide to go with a more serious approach, you will still find that your comedic talent comes in handy. Your choice is important for establishing the tone of your work, for choosing your characters, and for establishing the world you create. You may even find that you hate writing in one genre and that you want to switch gears and become an expert in another.
How Do I Get started As A Creative Writer?
Once again, if you’ve decided to write in a genre you’re not familiar with, you may feel intimidated by the idea of plunging into the deep end. But, don’t be! As long as you have the desire to write and have established a good foundation in school, you will easily be able to find a writing group or class. Many universities and colleges provide these sorts of opportunities, as well as many high schools. Just make sure you’re not in a class with other students who are writing the same novel as you. Going it alone is never a bad idea, either. Self-sufficient and confident, you may even be able to write faster than you can think. But, be careful not to burn out. Creating can be a very taxing process, and you want to make sure you have the energy to keep going. Writing is a never-ending process, so make sure you have the required energy to keep going. Make a commitment to yourself that you will write everyday, even if it’s for a few minutes. Even if it’s just a few sentences, write them down. And when you have a full-length novel ready to go, don’t be afraid to show it to someone. Even if it’s a first draft, you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll finish. And, as we’ve discussed, creating is an important part of the writing process. If you want to be the best writer you can be, you must be willing to put in the necessary hard work. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts are flawed. As long as you actively work on improving your craft, you will be able to find success in the end. Just make sure you don’t get too obsessed with being perfect. That’s what caused so many great writers to fail. They thought too much about being perfect and didn’t allow enough room for errors. So, remember to keep your eyes open for instances where you could improve your work, but don’t be afraid to let your writing inspire you.