The following information on genre can also be found in the book Story Building Blocks The Four Layers of Conflict in ebook and print editions. Much of the material from my Story Building Block series is available in my blog posts and on my website (www.dianahurwitz.com) along with free forms.
This week, I begin with the importance of defining the type of story you wish to tell your readers.
When you choose a genre and subgenre, you make a promise to your reader about the type of story they are settling in for. Is it a cozy or gritty noir mystery? Is it a Hallmark Romance or erotica? Is it a prairie Western or a shoot out between cowboys and aliens?
It is crucial to outline your promise with your blurb/story description. A consumer needs to know what a product is and how it will work. Readers are less likely to choose a confusing product or muddied premise. Broken promises are the number one cause of one star reviews: a Romance that doesn't end happily, a Horror story that isn't scary, or a Thriller that is a snooze. Bait and switch (promising a comedy and giving them a tragedy) ensures the reader forever associates your name with betrayal.
Here is a list of articles on how to keep your promise.
Betraying Your Readers
The Central Question
Genre Roundup Part 1
Genre Roundup Part 2
Con, Heist, and Prison Break Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Con, Heist, and Prison Break Workbook is available in ebook and print.
Comedy Subgenres
The Comedy Story Skeleton
Injecting Humor Into Plot
Injecting Humor into Dialogue
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Comedy is available in ebook and print.
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Gothic is available in ebook and print.
Historical Fiction Subgenres Part 1
Historical Subgenres Part 2
Historical Story Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Historical is available in ebook and print.
Literary Subgenres
The Literary Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Literary (Drama) is available in ebook and print.
The Road Trip Story Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Road Trip is available in ebook and print.
Science Fiction Subgenres
Science Fiction Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Science Fiction is available in ebook and print.
The Team Victory Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Team Victory is available in ebook and print.
Thriller and Suspense Subgenres
Thriller and Suspense Skeleton
Making a Thriller Part 1 of 2
Making a Thriller Part 2 of 2
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Thriller and Suspense is available in ebook and print.
Western Subgenres Part 1
Western Subgenres Part 2
Western Skeleton
SBB Build A Plot Workbook: Western is available in ebook and print.
In the next few weeks, we will highlight four specific genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, and Romance.
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