Is your favourite genre to write also your favourite genre to read?
I’m curious to know how other writers will answer this question because my answer is in the negative.
Is that weird?
You see, my favorite genre to read is the cozy mystery genre. I just love, love, love cozy mysteries! But I’ve never written one. Perhaps I will one day (I think it would be fun) but as of yet I’ve just never had an idea for one that has interested or excited me enough to give it a go.
For some reason, as much as I love to read cozy mysteries, my favourite genres when it comes to writing are science fiction and urban fantasy.
Now, I’m not saying that I don’t like to read science fiction and fantasy. I would probably say that urban fantasy is my second favorite reading genre. I’m a big fan of certain series like the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and the October Daye series by Seanan Maguire.
It’s just that, as a whole, the cozy mystery genre is my number one for reading pleasure.
And as for science fiction… my experiences with reading science fiction novels haven’t always been that great. I have a hard time reading hard sci-fi because it just doesn’t grip me. The problem is that I don’t always know when I pick up a sci-fi novel if it will be character-driven or all about the technology. And if it turns out to be in the latter category, I usually don’t make it past the third chapter.
That said, there have been some science fiction novels that I’ve enjoyed. And I recently had the chance to read the first chapters of a sci-fi novel by one of my writing buddies and was completely hooked. Plus, I love sci-fi television (don’t get me started on my love for Stargate!) and I actually started writing my two science fiction series as television series. So I do love the genre, just with certain qualifications.
Anyway, I’m thinking I might be in the minority when I answer the above question in the negative, but I’m not sure. So I’m looking forward to hearing from other writers on this topic!
Sarah L Fox
Lea Jurock said,
June 4, 2012 at 6:55 pm
I write fantasy and I love to read fantasy. But I also love to read cozy mysteries and historical fiction!
Sarah L Fox said,
June 4, 2012 at 6:57 pm
I enjoy reading historical fiction too!
Miss Kitty Roads said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:04 pm
I enjoy reading and writing the same genres. I am really into Sci-Fi/fantasy erotic romance.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:40 pm
I think most people prefer to read and write in the same genre(s), but I’ll see if subsequent comments prove me wrong or not! Thanks for commenting!
Abby Geiger said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I would have to say yes, for the most part I read the same genre I’m currently writing. I like character-driven stories, and tend to gravitate towards scifi, being a total Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, BSG, etc. geek, and can read the books as easily as watch the movies and TV shows. Some non-scifi exceptions are books by Dan Brown, Jean Auel, or, an old favorite, “Watership Down”. Another favorite book is “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Somewhat scifi, but just a great, meandering, character-driven tale.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I like to read Stargate novels as well as watching the show… to me it’s like getting extra episodes.
I too like character-driven stories, of just about any genre. Cozy mysteries and urban fantasy are at the top of my list but I also like YA, crime, historical fiction, etc, etc. Thanks for commenting, Abby!
Janna Noelle said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:32 pm
I write historical fiction but don’t really read it that much. I started off writing fantasy when I was reading fantasy, but I neither read nor write it anymore (though I still like it on TV/in movies). I don’t really know what I’m reading these days: some sci-fi, some YA, a lot of nonfiction (to inform my historical writing). I’m all messed up, I think.
I like sci-fi TV too, though I’ve never seen Stargate. I’m more of a Star Trek gal, and also loved Firefly as well.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:49 pm
So I’m not alone!
I thought everyone might answer yes.
I also read a whole bunch of different genres but I have to have a good concentration of mysteries to keep me happy.
Sarah L. Blair said,
June 4, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I love to read all sorts of genres, Urban Fantasy, crime, mystery, romance, erotica, chick lit, YA. Pretty much if it has a good story with solid characters and an engaging voice I will read it. However, the stories I write always tend to have an element of the paranormal or supernatural in them.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 5, 2012 at 11:51 am
Cool! I love reading all sorts of genres too.
Keri Peardon said,
June 4, 2012 at 8:12 pm
When I started writing fiction again (after a 9-year hiatus), I found that it had been a long time since I had read any fiction. I used to read quite a bit of fiction (for fun, believe it or not) when I was in college, but when I gave up the writing, I more or less gave up the reading, too.
When I took up medieval re-enacting, though, my reading all turned to non-fiction (my writing did as well). I’ve been trying to read more fiction lately, but there’s a part of me that’s a bit glad I’m out of the loop. One, I can hardly be accused of copying someone I haven’t reading. Two, I can’t be told that something can’t be done (like having a romance novel told entirely from the point of view of a man). And three, all that non-fiction reading really made writing my first historical novel easy.
I’m not much of a mystery reader, but I have always had a lot of awe and reverence for mystery writers. I feel that suspenseful plotting is my weakest point, and not only do mystery writers plot well, but they can write so that the reader is strung along, clueless, and ends up surprised at the end of the book–even though the writer knew all along who did it. That’s some amazing writing, to me.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 5, 2012 at 11:54 am
I don’t have much confidence in my ability to come up with a good mystery plot because of the suspense and cleverness required… but maybe that will change one day. Medieval re-enacting sounds cool!
Thanks for commenting!
Matthew Bryant said,
June 4, 2012 at 8:28 pm
I try to read in my genre – horror/urban fantasy, but most of it either frustrates me or bores me to tears with characters I care nothing about and plots I can spot miles away.
But give me some Twain or Dickens and I’m in heaven. Love me some satirical fiction. So I’d say you’re not alone. In fact, I’m surprised so many read in their genre.
Sarah L Fox said,
June 5, 2012 at 11:55 am
It’s nice to know I’m not alone! The way you feel about reading horror/urban fantasy is similar to the way I feel about hardcore science-fiction. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Maryellen Brady (@me_brady) said,
June 5, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I read EVERYTHING! I just can’t resist a good book and will pick up anything if it intrigues me. I write what entertains me for long weeks at a time.
Could I write a Space Opera like Orson Scott Card? Nope, I’d cry from all the details and research….but love to read it!
Sarah L Fox said,
June 5, 2012 at 2:21 pm
There are so many awesome books in so many genres! It’s great!
Nicole L. Bates said,
June 6, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I do love to read, and write, science fiction and fantasy. I probably read more fantasy and watch more science fiction, but tend to write science fiction. Make sense?
That being said, if a story is great I’ll read it no matter what genre it’s been placed in. I used to read a lot of historical fiction, and I think elements of that have worked their way into my sci-fi. More than anything I love new ideas and moving storytelling. Great question!
Sarah L Fox said,
June 13, 2012 at 11:50 am
Makes sense!
Shamira said,
June 13, 2012 at 7:56 am
Oh yes – STARGATE!!! Don’t get me started on Daniel Jackson, lol!!!
I find that I enjoy writing and reading the same genre which is Fantasy. thanks for the great post
Sarah L Fox said,
June 13, 2012 at 11:51 am
Thanks for commenting, fellow Stargate fan!!!