📚 Should writers stick to one genre? Let's talk about it
Hey fellow writers,
Let’s have a heart-to-heart—one writer to another.
If you’re just starting out on your writing journey, you’ve probably heard that age-old advice: “Pick a genre and stick with it.” You might even feel pressured to define yourself early on—Am I a romance author? A horror writer? A fantasy nerd forever?—like locking yourself into a literary identity is some rite of passage.
But let me offer a different perspective: Don’t be afraid to explore. Don’t be afraid to wander.
Because truthfully? The best way to discover your voice is through trial and error—and sometimes that means writing a cozy mystery in February, a dystopian thriller in June, and a slice-of-life character study by December.
I’m speaking to you not as someone who’s “figured it all out,” but as a fairly new author myself. I’ve been in love with storytelling since the third grade—back when I used to scribble dramatic tales with a pencil that barely had an eraser left. But professionally? I’ve only been doing this for a little over a year.
And guess what? I didn’t write a book I felt truly proud of until my fifth one. And even then, I wasn’t fully satisfied—because as writers, we’re always evolving. Always stretching. Always asking, What if I did that better? What else can I do?
That hunger for improvement? That’s where the magic happens.
Why Writing Multiple Genres Matters
If you’re wondering whether you need to choose a genre right now—my answer is absolutely not. Here’s why:
1. It expands your creativity.
Dabbling in multiple genres forces you to think differently. Each genre comes with its own tone, pacing, character arcs, and expectations. Writing a fantasy novel teaches you how to build complex worlds; a thriller shows you how to master suspense; romance sharpens your emotional storytelling. And all of that knowledge travels with you—no matter what you write next.
2. It challenges you to innovate.
Writing outside of your comfort zone will test your limits, and that’s a good thing. It sharpens your instincts, exposes your weak spots, and shows you where your voice truly shines. Struggling through a horror short story might reveal your gift for building atmosphere. Attempting a comedy might teach you the timing of a perfect line.
3. It contributes to your niche—even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Here’s the secret: what you learn from writing that one tricky genre you swore you’d never touch will eventually make your “main” genre stronger. The way sci-fi writers handle exposition? That’ll help your historical fiction. The pacing of a mystery novel? Great for narrative tension in a drama. Nothing is wasted. Everything informs your growth.
The Journey Looks Different for Everyone
No major author in history just sat down, wrote one book, and became a literary icon. What you see on bestseller lists? That’s the polished result of years of drafting, deleting, rewriting, failing, and trying again.
We all start somewhere. And honestly, failure isn’t the monster we make it out to be. It only becomes harmful if you let it define you. But if you choose to let it teach you? Then it’s one of your greatest assets.
Rough drafts are never perfect. They’re meant to be messy. That’s where you find the bones of what your story could become.
And remember: behind every successful author is a trail of half-finished ideas, abandoned outlines, and genres they tried just to see if they could.
A Personal Note
I want to be real with you. I didn’t publish my first book and think, Yes! I nailed it. Not even close.
I wrote and released four books before I hit one that I considered “good”—and even then, I questioned every chapter. But what I gained in that process was invaluable growth, deep understanding of character, structure, and voice—and a genuine love for the journey.
And that’s what I want you to take from this post: this is a journey we’re on together.
Whether you’re on your first draft or your tenth rewrite, know this—you’re not behind. You’re learning. You’re building. You’re exactly where you need to be.
So, Should You Stick to One Genre?
Eventually? Maybe. Many writers find their sweet spot and stick with it—and that’s great! But don’t force it before you’re ready.
Let yourself test the waters. Let yourself fail, grow, and shift. There’s no shame in trying something, hating it, and moving on. Every page you write adds another layer to the writer you’re becoming.
Success? It’s attainable. For all of us.
One story, one stumble, one breakthrough at a time.
Keep writing. Keep growing.
—Makitia
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