📚Why Sticking to One Genre Is Overrated: The Case for Writing All Over the Map

 

Hey fellow writers,

Let’s have a heart-to-heart — one writer to another.

If you’re new to this whole writing thing, you’ve probably heard the sacred advice that gets tossed around like a hot potato:

“Pick a genre and stick with it.”

You know the drill — like it’s some kind of unbreakable rule etched in the stone tablets of literary history. Am I a romance author? Horror writer? Fantasy nerd forever? You feel like you’re being asked to brand yourself, label yourself, lock yourself into a tiny little box before you’ve even fully unpacked your writing tools.

But what if I told you… you don’t have to?

In fact, maybe you shouldn’t.

Let me explain why the best way to find your writing voice might just be the exact opposite of sticking to one genre like glue.

The Myth of the Genre Prison 🏰

For years, we’ve been sold the idea that specialization is the key to success. And sure, there’s value in mastering a craft. But writing? It’s an art form. It’s messy. It’s wild. It’s human.

Trying to pigeonhole yourself right out of the gate can feel suffocating. You might end up playing it safe, recycling tired tropes, or worse — convincing yourself you don’t have what it takes because your “genre voice” isn’t fully baked yet.

And that’s just plain wrong.

Why Exploring Multiple Genres Is a Writer’s Secret Weapon 🔥

1. Your Creativity Gets a Workout Like Never Before 🧠💪

Writing across genres isn’t just hopping between categories. It’s a full-on mental gym session. Every genre demands something different — the pacing, tone, character depth, stakes, dialogue style — and learning how to handle those challenges flexes muscles you didn’t even know you had.

  • Fantasy? You’re world-building from scratch, conjuring magic, rules, and politics.

  • Thriller? Tension and suspense become your best friends (or worst enemies).

  • Romance? Every scene is an emotional rollercoaster, and you learn how to make readers feel.

Each genre teaches you skills that cross-pollinate. That fantasy you write? The emotional beats learned in romance? The pacing tricks from your thriller? They’ll all come back to make your writing sharper and richer — no matter what your “main” genre ends up being.

2. It Challenges You to Innovate and Grow 🌱

Writing outside your comfort zone is scary. It forces you to face your weaknesses and get better. You might struggle, you might fail, but you’ll also discover new parts of your voice and style.

For example, trying comedy might reveal your talent for witty banter. Dipping a toe into horror might show you have a knack for atmosphere and mood that you didn’t know.

This experimentation is where the magic happens, not in sticking with what’s easy or expected.

3. It Builds a Unique Writer’s Toolbox 🧰

The beauty of writing in multiple genres? You build a bigger, more diverse toolkit. And here’s the secret: the knowledge you gain from one genre will inevitably improve your work in others.

  • The crisp, lean exposition style from sci-fi can make your historical fiction more readable.

  • The character-driven pacing of mystery can add tension to your drama.

  • Even the quirks from a cheesy horror can give you ideas to add spice to your romance.

No experience is wasted. Every word you write counts.

Real Talk: The Journey Isn’t Pretty — And That’s Okay 👣

Let’s get real for a minute. None of the great authors you admire sat down, wrote one perfect book, and then rode a unicorn to bestseller glory. The polished final product you see? It’s the shiny surface of years (sometimes decades) of failing, rewriting, learning, and evolving.

You’re allowed — encouraged, even — to mess up. To fail. To hate your work and rewrite it again anyway.

Failure isn’t the enemy. It’s a stepping stone. A lesson disguised as rejection.

That rough draft you just finished? It’s a goldmine. A blueprint for what your story could become.

And remember, behind every successful author is a graveyard of abandoned ideas, rejected outlines, and genre experiments that didn’t work out.

My Own Winding Path 🛤️

Here’s where I get personal:

I didn’t wake up one day with a perfectly crafted book that I adored. Nope. I wrote four books before I even got close to something I was proud of. And even then, I questioned every sentence.

But through that process, I gained something far more valuable than early acclaim: growth. A deeper understanding of story structure, character arcs, and my own voice.

The messy, frustrating, thrilling journey of writing is what shapes us.

So, Should You Eventually Pick a Genre? 🤔

Maybe. Maybe not.

Many writers do find their sweet spot and stick with it. And if you do, good for you! But don’t rush the process.

If you’re feeling boxed in or uninspired, allow yourself to roam. Write that cozy mystery in January. That dystopian thriller in July. A character-driven slice-of-life novel in November.

There’s no shame in experimenting, failing, or changing directions. Every story you write layers on the writer you’re becoming.

How to Make Genre-Hopping Work For You ✨

  • Keep notes on what works and what doesn’t in each genre.

  • Read widely — not just your favorite genre but others, too.

  • Analyze what you like or dislike about stories in different genres.

  • Allow yourself the freedom to abandon projects that don’t excite you anymore.

  • Celebrate your growth, no matter how small it seems.

Final Pep Talk: You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be 🚀

If you’re struggling to find your “voice” or your “genre,” remember this: you’re learning. Growing. Building your craft one page at a time.

There’s no deadline, no final exam, no test that decides if you’re a “real” writer.

You’re already one.

Keep writing. Keep stretching. Keep exploring.

Because the journey isn’t about a single destination — it’s about discovering you as a writer.

And I’m here for every step of that wild, wonderful ride.

— Makitia 🖤

Want more writer wisdom, brutally honest stories about the craft, and a splash of sarcastic truth?

Explore the rest of my blog — where I dive into everything from creative burnout to the dark art of rewriting. Trust me, it’s a wild ride worth taking. 🚀

#Mindsindesign #Makitiathompson

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