One of the most exciting parts of being a writer is finding your perfect genre. What makes you happy to write? What can you embrace daily, talk about endlessly, and learn to market with enthusiasm? If you don’t enjoy it, why do it?
Let’s face it—writing isn’t the most lucrative career without a combination of hard work and heart.
For me, I stumbled into the world of children’s books. Back in 2018, I was deep in my “I want to be an entrepreneur” era while juggling a full-time teaching career. My 4th-grade class was struggling with kindness, and I searched high and low for a book that I thought would truly resonate with them.
When I couldn’t find it, I decided to write it.
One thing to know about me: when I get an idea, I will make it happen. But I need to do it right. (Get it? Write?) I dove into courses on Coursera, joined every Facebook group I could find, and spent hours at Barnes & Noble reading book after book until I could figure out my story. That journey took 18 months, from the moment I said, “I want to be an author,” to the day I held my proof copy in my hands. I’ll deep dive into my beginnings in a future post, but for now, let’s fast forward to 2024.
Why Switch Genres?
In 2024, I set a new goal: find my next genre.
Why, you ask? If I’m being completely honest, I wanted another source of income as an author. I live by the mantra: The average millionaire has seven streams of income.
So, I decided to explore. Most months, I tried writing a rough draft in a new genre. Yes, you read that right—9 genres in 9 months. (I took the summer off, kids) If you scroll through my Instagram, you can see snippets of that journey.
Here’s where I landed at the end of the year:
A nonfiction book: Currently with my agent, and I’m beyond excited about it.
A romance novel: Just needs a final round of edits.
A middle-grade book: I’m determined to use this one to achieve my ultimate dream.
Genres that didn’t work for me: Horror, thriller, and fantasy—while I love reading them, my writing style just doesn’t fit.
Through this process, I discovered something important: while I can enjoy reading just about anything, not every genre is a match for my writing style.
Now it’s 2025, and I’ve set a new goal: I want to publish three books in my next genre this year.
Which genre did I land on? Cozy mystery.
Think of a mystery without the gore and with a dash of rom-com flair. This genre has become my new creative home, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into it.
Now, let's find your perfect genre.
1. Start with What You Love to Read
Think about the books you reach for in your free time. Are they page-turning mysteries, heartwarming romances, or fast-paced thrillers? Your favorite genres as a reader often give you clues about what you’ll enjoy writing. Especially because you have immersed yourself in this genre for so long, you know it.
2. Experiment with Short Stories
Short stories are a fantastic way to test different genres without the commitment of a full novel. Use my 2024 challenge but shorten it, think novellas 15,000-40,000 words! Write a thriller one month, try your hand at a sci-fi adventure the next, and dabble in fantasy the week after.
You’ll quickly learn what excites you and what feels... forced.
3. Reflect on Your Strengths
Consider your natural strengths as a storyteller.
Are you great at crafting witty dialogue? Comedy or romance might suit you.
Do you love building intricate worlds? Fantasy or sci-fi could be your calling.
Are you drawn to emotional depth and character-driven stories? Literary fiction or contemporary drama might be the perfect fit.
4. Draw from Your Life Experiences
Your own life can provide a wealth of inspiration for choosing a genre. For example:
If you love working with kids, you might enjoy writing children’s books.
If you’ve always been fascinated by puzzles and mysteries, a detective novel could be your jam.
If you’re a hopeless romantic at heart, romance might feel like home.
5. Think About Your Goals
Do you want to write for fun or to build a career? If you’re looking to turn writing into a profession, consider what genres have strong markets and where your voice could stand out. If this has been a story on your heart for as long as you can remember? Go for it. It needs to come out. But, I cannot stress this enough, if you are in this strictly because you want to make money. Study the market.
Final Thoughts
Finding your perfect genre is a journey, and there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. The most important thing is to follow your passion and write stories that bring you joy.
What genres do you want to explore? Or, if you’ve already found your favorite, what made you choose it?
Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your writing journey!
Comments