Writing a First Novel: Choosing A Genre

Want to write a novel, but aren’t sure what genre to pick?

Write What You Love

That’s a good place to start. 

If you devour books of certain genre (or subgenre), then you’ll be well acquainted with how the stories unfold in similar patterns. That familiarity might make writing one a natural process. However, it could be problematic if you choose to write a first book in a genre that has a complicated structure. Sometimes simpler is better.

And what if you are like me and love to read everything?

Narrow the Choices

Each genre has its familiar tropes and construction. For most of us, it would be too time consuming to try and learn how to write every genre out there. 

Pick a genre that you seem to gravitate toward. Out of those, if your goal is to learn how to write a book, it might be wise to look for the one with the simplest structure. If that prospect isn’t exciting to you, give that one a pass. The project needs to inspire the author for the long days and nights of pounding a keyboard.

If you have experience writing shorter works in one genre, why not try a longer work, even if you love a different genre?

Or maybe you have a great idea for a children’s book, and that’s where your heart is. Go for it!

Write what you are passionate about. 

What’s the Easiest Genre to Write?

I’ve heard different teachers suggest an adventure novel is easiest. Others say romance. Then again, some have sworn writing a who-done-it is the way to go to learn story structure. I love to read mysteries, but the idea of plotting one makes my brain freeze up. 

The stories I like to write, character driven contemporary, are considered by some to be the hardest of all to write! For NANOWRIMO, I tried to plot a simple romance. I ended up with a contemporary young adult novel about issues with a strong element of romance. 

There’s not a one size fits all.

Try Writing Shorter Works First, or Not

Writing a book is a huge commitment. If you’re not absolutely in love with the story idea and characters, the book may not get finished. If you’ve never written a novel length work, you could try your hand at a novella first. It depends on the writer. Do what feels the least overwhelming or frustrating. Even short stories can help writers learn basic story building.

Do I Have to Pick a Genre?

Is it required that an author label the genre of a novel? Not until it is ready to be pitched or published. It helps to know the genre, but isn’t always necessary.

My first attempt at a novel length work ended up as a historical, which was not my intention. I was just trying to get from point A to point B to point C. For me, the genre was beside the point. All I wanted was to learn how to write a novel.  

Don’t Feel Locked Into a Genre

Direction is good, but don’t feel you have to decide right away, and don’t feel you are locked into a genre if it turns out another seems to be a better pick. 

The best genre to write a first novel is the genre that gets the author putting words on the page!

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.