July at the Insecure Writers Support Group

Sometimes, the monthly post prompts at IWSG make me wonder about myself. Some make me think about the publishing industry. That was the case with this month's prompt:

Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

I suppose there was a time when genres were strictly divided: mystery, romance, science fiction, westerns, humor to name a few. But now the lines are a bit blurry. The new subgenre romantasy is the perfect example with romances taking place in a fantasy world. I recently read a book that was part romance, part mystery/thriller, part paranormal. This combining of genres is a great way to expand your audience. Maybe readers who would pass on your book if it was labeled romance will give it a chance if you also promise dragons, murder, or robots taking over the world. I tip my hat to all the authors who can successfully create books that embrace multiple genres.

I don't think I've ever written science fiction, unless it was for a science fiction class I took back in high school. And does it really count if it's required? To be honest, I probably never will give it a try. Nothing against science fiction but I don't read enough of it to craft a story in that genre. I have no idea which plots, characters and themes are done to death and which are original. I haven't read and been influenced by the kings and queens of science fiction (I don't even know who the kings and queens of science fiction are). I don't know what science fiction readers love to read. I have no way to evaluate my work to determine if it is any good.

I would have as much success writing science fiction as I would writing in Spanish. Some vague knowledge, but it would become clear after one paragraph that I did not know what I was doing. Not every genre is for every writer. Historical fiction, mystery, coming of age stories, humor, children's picture books, nature-related. I say yes to all those. Isn't that enough for one writer?