One of my cherished neopatrons called my attention to this post by The Brothers Krynn, which itself is a response to another piece by author JD Cowan. After spending some time retreading the “Are fantasy and sci fi separate genres?” debate, it brings up an issue that’s running rampant among new authors: breaking genre conventions for the sake of breaking them.
A good way to think of genre conventions is as guideposts that help writers and readers navigate the verbal landscape of a story. These conventions are not restrictive rules designed to stifle creativity; rather, they are frameworks that provide structure and clarity to a narrative.
For new authors, mastering these conventions before trying to subvert them is crucial for several reasons.
Before a writer can effectively break the rules of a genre, he must first understand them. Just as a painter must first master basic techniques before creating abstract art, an author must grasp the fundamental elements of his chosen genre before experimenting with them.
For example, if you’re writing a cosmic horror story, you must first understand what makes ordinary horror effective. What are the common tropes? How do they build suspense? What emotional responses are they designed to evoke in the reader? Once you’ve mastered these elements, you can begin to twist them in new and interesting ways.
And genre conventions help new authors learn essential writing discipline. It’s not about limiting creativity, it’s about honing it. By working within the boundaries of a genre, writers learn to focus their ideas and refine their craft. This discipline helps make a story to coherent and engaging, rather than a chaotic jumble of ideas. Because it’s all in the execution.
When you’re new to writing, it’s easy to get lost amid the unlimited possibilities. Genre conventions help keep you on track, ensuring that your story remains accessible and engaging to your readers. As you gain experience and confidence, you can start to deviate from the path, but only after you’ve learned the terrain.
Besides, respecting genre conventions means respecting your audience. Most readers approach a book with certain expectations based on its genre. They choose a mystery novel expecting to be intrigued by a whodunit plot or a fantasy novel anticipating an escape into a world of magic and heroism. When authors disregard genre conventions without a solid understanding of why they’re fun and how breaking them could be more fun, they risk alienating their audience.
Imagine a reader picking up a horror novel, only to find that it turns into a romantic comedy halfway through. Unless this genre shift is handled with superlative skill, the reader is likely to feel confused. And confused readers put down books. As a new author, your primary goal should be making sure your readers never put your book down. That means delivering on the promises that your chosen genre makes.
At the end of the day, the key to breaking genre conventions lies in mastery. Before you can bend or break the rules, you must first understand why they exist and how they function. Only then can you innovate for maximum effect.
By mastering the conventions of your chosen genre, you not only improve your writing, you also ensure that your work scratches you readers’ itch. Once you’ve gained this understanding, you can begin to push boundaries and explore new territory.
So, new authors, embrace genre conventions. Learn them, master them, and only then, break them. Your readers—and your future self—will thank you.
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