The concept behind elemental genres is that a book can be constructed out of several different elemental genres. Instead of just being a fantasy novel for example, a novel can have a fantasy setting, with a plot that includes elements of mystery, horror, and romance woven in as separate plot threads. https://writingexcuses.com/2016/01/03/writing-excuses-11-1-introduction-to-elemental-genre/ What do you think of this idea, and do your books draw on multiple elemental genres? My current book touches on a lot of the ones that Writing Excuses discussed, but in particular, the ones that I draw most on are: mystery, horror, idea Others that they talked about are: relationship, humor, adventure, ensemble (think team dynamic; heist stories, underdog sports), thriller, drama, issue. There can be any number, but in particular elemental genres are the common themes that evoke specific emotions in a reader, such as dread (horror) or curiousity (mystery). I’m particularly interested in this idea because I want to write a book that appeals on several different levels. That weaves in mystery, action, horror, and humor into one interesting story with a lot of different dimensions. Which is life, I think. Everyone experiences all of these in their life, and I like the idea of writing stories that have that sort of variety too. These are not to be confused with bookshelf genres, which are more of a marketing category.
Trying to combine different genres is a difficult job because you at least had to have an idea of which works with and usually their premise. It's not impossible, but you will have to study a little bit of which you want to explore, experiment on your story and then see if it's working. John Calligan posted a good video for you to watch, John Truby is a well-known screenwriter, but he knows what he's talking about. Plus I will suggest reading his book: John Truby presents The Anatomy of Story. There's a section he talks about Genres. Give it a look. I hope this helps
Yeah, one has to understand a genre to be able to use it right. But I don't think it's uncommon for writers to draw from multiple genres when writing a good book. Whenever a non-romance has a romantic subplot, I think the writer is already doing this. Similar to science fiction novels where the scientists are trying to figure out a mystery, or fantasy novels where a bunch of characters are teaming up to rob the royal treasury. It's just a different way of thinking of how we draw ideas into our books I think.
@Matt E We definitely think alike. My favorite areas are war, history and Sci-Fi. With many focused genre books I feel tend to dilute either characters or depth making the genre a rod for the books back. Many Sci-Fi stories fall fowl here with one dimensional or flat characters. I like Peter F. Hamilton, he’s very wordy and the books take an age to get going. Once moving the books come alive and the characters attitudes change slowly. I noticed he mixes genres continually, Sci-Fi with Horror or crime thriller or both within a Sci-Fi genre. If time try the Nights Dawn Trilogy... https://www.amazon.com/Reality-Dysfunction-Nights-Dawn-Book-ebook/dp/B003GK21DA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546630280&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Night%27s+Dawn+Trilogy I’m not a fan of horror but he makes it work within a giant Space Opera with a detective mystery. By adding different genres he somehow gives the characters and worlds extra depth... Norfolk
I call my genre Fantasy / Drama / Romance. It's basically drama with a Fantasy setting and a tendency for romantic plots. Haven't had any luck finding a publisher that has a category even remotely close to this mix. This is what I write, though. I will not give up the drama and replace it with dragons. That would be another writer, not me.
@Rosacrvx -- I would agree with @BayView here. And I don't think in doing so you're having to compromise anything or that anyone is going to ask you too.
I'm not sure I see any difference between the genres you mentioned and how they are used by bookstores. It doesn't change the genre. Or am I missing something? I think genre blending and mixing can be a fun experiment. It's something I've been playing with a bit myself. However, I think it's best to focus your main efforts in a specific direction while allowing other elements in. It's an interesting concept to try and fit pieces together that don't usually belong. Still, I know my goals and targets when it comes to publishing. I already question how far I'm pushing the line. I believe sometimes I have crossed the line. It's okay. I sometimes need to go all over the place so I can come back and focus. And unlike life, writing needs more of a focus and I'm not sure can really pull off being everything. Though, I admit I have been wrong before.
