Writer Fears: Trying Out New Genres10/30/2022 You had never planned to get lost in the woods. It is past midnight now, and the distant growl of an animal and a cold wind make goosebumps crawl up your skin. All you did was follow the same pebbled road all day. But now, through the depths of the night, you can distinguish how the road opens in a Y. You could continue down the pebbled road at your left. But the road at your right seems to be calling you. Pulsing, waiting. Who knows what you might find if you take it? Which nightmarish monster will you encounter? This is not the best time to try out a new path. And yet… If you have read any of my articles, you might have noticed that I firmly believe that growth happens outside of our comfort zone. For writers, this means trying out new formats, methods, and genres. More often than not, it is a scary decision to make. But it will teach you more than it will seize away. What is the reward at the end of a new path?
But what can you do to make this process easier? Do your research One thing is for sure, following that new path in the darkness of the night is not the safest option. Think of research as your lantern. Before venturing into a new genre, make sure that you have a clear idea of its elements and structure. Otherwise, you will probably end up feeling lost and confused. This might develop into a dislike for the genre, and it will translate to a stronger fear of going out of your comfort zone in the future. If you can, try searching for authors in the genre and note what elements you like about their work. Last year, the mere idea of doing poetry was downright scary for me. I remember having to investigate sonnets, rhyme, symbolism, rhythm and all those base elements for my language and literature classes. I thought it was unnecessary, but when I finally tried to write my own poem, I had a clear structure in mind. This helped me keep my ideas coherent and relevant, and I could also understand of how to use lyrical elements to transmit my message. I chose a topic I felt passionate about and did my best. Reading it now, I can note that it is far from perfect, but I am glad I tried a new genre out. I still believe that that poem is beautiful. One step at a time My core genre has always been science fiction and fantasy. Also, I like to explore family bonds and friendships through the pieces I write. All of this to say, I used to stay as far away from writing romance as possible. But when I entered TYWI’s summer camp, I found myself writing a romance prompt down. So the first time I ventured into this genre, I decided to set it in a fantasy world. Changing the path we are used to following is not always a process that happens overnight. For some it might be easier to just jump in new waters, but I like to dip my toes in it first. I implement elements of these new genres into my style by merging them with genres or topics I already have experience in. For example, I wrote my first horror story in a piece about ballet, which I love, and the next one I based on a legend I knew by heart. Slowly, I have been feeling more confident about writing horror. Ask other writers for support I will never stop emphasizing on how important it is for young writers to seek the guidance and feedback of each other. It strengthens both your writing skills and the community overall. Sometimes we see other writers excelling in a specific genre, and we admire their passion, their talent, their dedication, their craft. So why not go up to them? I can assure you, most will be more than happy to help. I might sound like a school counsellor, but if you feel unsure about your writing, do not be afraid to ask for help! Venturing into the woods You take a deep breath in a vague attempt to stabilize your pulse. But you are not scared anymore. Nervous, sure. But with a lantern in hand, knowing a friend is by your side, it is excitement the feeling that sprints through your veins . You dare take a step forward and soon, you are deep into a new path. You might find fireflies dancing in the night, wolves pacing past the trees, an owl’s inky eyes. You don’t know. And somehow, that is what makes this experience so thrilling. Paula Argudois a young planster with too much passion and too little time on a day. She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, whether they are thoroughly researched flash fiction pieces or improvised bedtime stories.
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