Everyone has a different style of writing and although there are standards and more appealing ways to writing, no one’s style is completely incorrect. In the last year, I’ve learned that there are hundreds of categories of literature being sold in genre’s most people would never even dream of or think of being real in the literary world. For this section take a moment to think of your current project. If you don’t have a current project, think of a new one that you’d like to write. What genre would your work fall under? Romance? Science Fiction? Historical Fiction? Erotica?
If you were able to answer that question in one or two words, you’re making more work for yourself. All of those genres are great but they’re far too broad. In order to save your sanity and possibly being overshadowed by a billion other authors, you have to narrow down your book’s genre. Now, this does not mean you have to change what you already have or any idea that you have. However, when you’re marketing your book, you should pick a niche that you mesh well with.
Writing a romance? Pick an element in your book to focus on the most and own it. If we take a look at
50 Shades of Grey
by E.L. James, it’s essentially a romance book. However, that isn’t how the book is marketed. It’s not only romance, but it’s
billionaire
romance with a touch of BDSM masked under an abusive relationship. Although, in my opinion, it was horribly written, but it was able to appeal to a wide variety of people while still being under a narrow scope. Your book should do the same… With better writing of course.
When you finally get an idea for what you want to write about, don’t get carried away with including too many key aspects. Keep it to two or three key elements that define your book over all. For
50 Shades
,
its focus was billionaire, romance, and BDSM. Make sure that you are able to tie your elements together gracefully. Being graceful does not mean your writing has to be normal, or boring, or even common. It means that you have to make your reader believe in the story; they have to feel as if they are a part of the magic. Once you’ve picked your key elements, consider your target audience. Obviously you’re not going to write a children’s book with elements of adult romance.