If you want to start writing a novel, you should know your options! What literary genre should your novel be?
Have you ever been sitting in front of a blank page searching for inspiration, and wondered: “where should I start? What should I write about? Should it be a romance novel? A thriller? A fantasy? Maybe a detective novel?”
Literary genres: Creating worlds…
Surely, in the books you’ve read, you have found all kinds of amazing worlds, from cities surrounded by huge walls and houses with columns made of gold to mysterious forests with mysterious creatures no one has ever seen.
Writing a novel means you are going to be able to create your own world. Everything is in your mind, in your imagination, there are no limits to the amazing things you can create, any literary genre you choose, make sure you feel comfortable and enjoy it!
With a little twist of inspiration, you can create your own characters, with their own stories. Shape them as you want, give them a name and intertwine their destinies. It could be a time traveler seeking a cure for a disease, or an enterprising woman who has come to amass a great fortune. You decide. You are the creator.
As writers, there’s always the doubt of what literary genre is best for us to start writing our novel, and the fact is that there are many options out there for you to choose.
But… which one suits you best? Which one suggests the best story? with which of them you feel more comfortable? Which one triggers your imagination and writing powers?
This and other questions usually arise when you are about to write your first novel.
A good starting point is: write what you like to read! as simple as that, stay in the genre you enjoy. This way, you’ll be comfortable and also have an idea of what has been done in this genre.
However, if you are still in doubt or maybe… you are not sure what genre you are writing in, here’s a brief guide with some options for you!
Let’s get started!
Adventure
This literary genre will give you the possibility to embark your characters towards the unknown, face risks, mysteries, and dangers, leading our hero to fulfill his purposes and have a happy ending.
You can base your story on some historical fact, using romantic and even detective novel resources.
In this kind of novel, there is always a journey, it can be towards exotic lands: a dark cave in the middle of a South American forest, an almost unreachable island, or the top of the Himalayas… Your characters will have to use their wit and bravery to face the challenges posed by the setting.
Science fiction
Scientific and technical advances are mostly present in this genre, either in the future or in the present, which intervene and affect the lives of the characters and society.
There isn’t a unique definition of science fiction. Each author materializes their stories with different points of view.
You can focus on the social consequences of technological advances or the scientific and technical elements around the characters. Also, you can narrate topics such as time travel, a genetic mutation, extraterrestrial life, intelligent robots, and even an apocalyptic future.
Fantasy
It’s considered one of the most open and diffuse literary genres due to its relation to other narrative genres. So you can create a romantic novel with fantasy elements, a thriller where supernatural creatures interfere, and even embark on an adventure to a city built in the clouds.
One of the most repeated themes in fantasy novels, is the dispute between Good and Evil, represented by the actions of the characters, the use of magic, the existence of imaginary worlds, mostly reflecting medieval characteristics and fictional characters such as fairies, elves, goblins, or other mythical creatures.
You are free to make decisions; this genre will give you a greater capacity to write. You could use any other genre to recreate your own story, as long as it contains fantastic elements.
Check this link with 20+ myths and legends you can use in your fantasy novel!!
Detective Novels
A crime, a murderer, a detective. This literary genre is full of action and mystery, an enigma will be solved through analysis and deduction.
Generally, the detective never fails in his search, and at the end of the book, we can find the answers to all the questions posed.
You need to make the reader feel identified with the detective, or likewise, feel like one. To do this, you can start by raising an indecipherable and confusing case, which can only be solved using logic and intelligence. You can add small doses of violence, sex, intrigue or espionage, to give your novel some action.
Gothic
This type of novel includes ghostly, magical, and horror elements, trapping the reader into an atmosphere of suspense and tension.
Gothic stories usually develop in medieval times, with castles and mansions of this architectural style, full of passageways, uninhabited and dark rooms, providing a creepy and gloomy atmosphere.
Romance
It’s one of the most popular literary genres, if not the most popular one. The novel moves around love, which is the feeling that leads the characters to perform many actions. Most of the time, it ends in a happy ending, which is why it’s so comforting and enjoyable for readers when they get to the end of the book.
You will have to let your most romantic side out, and recreate a story in which you’ll develop the emotional universe of each character, the sweetness, and bitterness of being in love, as well as the obstacles that your characters will have to go through to get what they want. This will be the central axis of the argument.
A very striking subgenre of romance is Paranormal Romance, it’s a link between romance and the supernatural, you can use resources such as the presence of creatures; vampires, werewolves, mermaids, angels, demons, witches, among others.
Horror
In this literary genre, description prevails. So, it will be very important that you use many literary resources to make the reader feel immersed in the book and in contact with the fears and passions of the characters. The location of the places is a key point to win in suspense, for example, you could use dungeons, sober forests, abandoned houses, cemeteries, or crypts.
Its principal objective is to create fear and all the emotions associated with it in the reader. It includes the appearance of supernatural creatures, the use of the paranormal, and the gloomy, all in a dark setting.
Today, science fiction and fantasy are often linked to horror, so you can use resources from these genres to establish the story.
An important thing you can’t forget is that it’s essential to make the reader feel a series of emotional, unusual, intense, and strange motivations when reading.
You should underline the description of the elements and the emotions of the characters, the use of misty colors sen the narration to give a gloomy atmosphere and the suspense in the events.
Suspense
A thriller is good when it keeps the reader waiting, in a state of tension, doubting what will happen to the characters. This will help the reader to keep an eye on the development of the conflict.
Don’t confuse suspense with mystery, since mystery is created by fear, and suspense by the uncertainty of what will happen next. You must bear in mind that to achieve suspense you have to maintain the storyline with creativity and unexpected and sudden actions, making events happen slowly, so the reader can assume that something will happen at any moment.
This genre will give you the freedom to join it with any other, the most important thing will be to keep intrigue as a fundamental factor in the story.
Literary genres: All in all…
It is always good to inform yourself before starting to write, each person has different characteristics, just as literary genres. Therefore, defining what you would like to write, and the genre with which you feel most comfortable is a good first step.
Choosing a literary genre can be difficult, as these are related and often confused with others. Take notes about a story that you already have in your mind. Begin to characterize the characters and possible situations.
A simple list of the key elements you want to include will help you define the genre. Use this guide as a starting point and perhaps. I’m sure it will give you some good ideas, in case you have nothing thought out yet.
One of the factors that can overwhelm you the most when you’re trying to start a story is a lack of inspiration, literary resources, and misinformation. You can start by reading books by representative authors of the genre you have chosen. Take notes on what you find striking: the tone of the writer, the emotional connections he establishes with the reader, and how he/she starts the sentences.
If you want your novel to be unique, you must put all your knowledge, experience, and creative attitude into operation. It will be difficult at first, but as you write, I’m sure you‘ll find your way through.
Be patient and relax, don’t be afraid to open your mind and let your ideas come out, great writers suffered from this illness and, with much effort, love for their work and dedication, they found their way.
You got this!
I hope this post has helped you and that you feel ready to start your journey as a future writer. Any literary genre you choose will open a new world to thousands of new options and ideas.
So don’t waste any more time and start! I’m sure you already have something in mind.
Tell us about your favorite genres in the comments!