If You Feel The Urge To Write In Multiple Genres, It's Absolutely Worth The Shot.
It's A Blessing In Disguise
Author’s Note:
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From the very beginning, I know I am a multi-genre writer.
But when I started as a writer, every piece of writing advice told me I needed to pick one genre and stick with it.
For example, if I chose to write crime fiction, I'd have to stick with it for life.
The primary benefit of doing so was that it'll be easier to market and sell your books. Every reader would attach your name to the genre you write in, which in a way, becomes your business card.
Though I understand this benefit, it never sat well with me.
The thing is, I think in multi-genre.
Since I am a human of multiple interests, I am also a writer of multiple interests.
I get story ideas in almost all genres - crime, gothic, suspense, romantic, and historical. And the same goes for non-fiction - essays, memoir, self-help, and inspiration.
And I believe if I restrict myself to one genre, I'll limit myself as a writer.
During the golden age of traditional publishing, sticking to one genre may have made sense. And when an author wanted to write in a different genre, they could use pen names.
For example -
Agatha Christie (detective, whodunnit) -> Mary Westmacott (bitter-sweet romance)
Nora Roberts (romance) -> J D Robb (romantic suspense)
But in our present age of publishing, writers can publish in any genre they feel, with or without a pen name.
Earlier, the books writers wrote were their brand image. Now, the writer themselves is the brand image and the books they write come under them.
This way, the readers and writer get the chance to see themselves from different facets and then get a clearer picture of the entire gem (the writer's creativity).
So, my dear writer, if you also feel the urge to write in multiple genres, know that it's a blessing in disguise and absolutely worth the shot.
