Not every genre is going to resonate with everyone.
But I’ve found that just because something isn’t your taste…
doesn’t mean there isn’t something valuable in it.
A line.
A perspective.
A way of saying something you wouldn’t have thought of.
Sometimes the things we don’t immediately “feel”
are the ones that expand us the most.
Curious how other writers approach this—
Do you stick mostly to what naturally resonates with you…
or do you explore outside of that too?
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I read and watch mostly in my favorite genres, however I have read screenplays outside of that for study.
For example, I don't really do rom-coms, but the script for When Harry Met Sally is a masterclass in dialog and pacing. Likewise, I never liked teen comedies, but the The Breakfast Club is a good show of dialog and also a contained setting.
And so, while most fans typically find a genre or two they like, but writers can also find scenes and story elements within other genre works that resonate.
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Yup, I step outside my preferred genres if an idea hooks me enough. I prefer writing surreal, highly dramatic stuff and usually stay away from horror and erotica and thrillers, but I’ve had ideas at least with those elements and have found that I can actually write them pretty well. At the end of the day, though, I only really care about writing stuff I’m interested in.
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On what I consume:
I have discovered that for me, a style is more important than a genre. I tend to like mid to low budget movies a lot better than high budget blockbusters. It feels to me like most high budget block busters use their money as a way to bypass creativity and craft (most, not all).
On what I write:
I have and will continue to try in write in a wide range of genres. I have fantasy, mystery, spy thriller, spaghetti western, and even some superhero comic books I am working on, but I still have a ways to go before I can write those. Right now I write comedy. and I'm sticking with that for a while.
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I think it's actually good to work in a genre that maybe isn't your first instinct. If you're not into a lot of the tropes and things about a certain genre then maybe you can add a fresh perspective and feel less precious about the cherished beats or cliches you might find. A good example are those Zach Cregger horror movies. He comes from a comedy history but his horror movies are shaking things up and feel so different and fresh, presumably because he's coming at it from a different angle. I helped someone write a zombie short film a few years back and I'm not a big zombie guy but I had a ton of fun kind of immersing myself in that genre and figuring out the stuff I wanted to lean into or rework or use for various purposes etc.
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I was never - with a few notable exceptions - a big fan of Romantic Comedy, until my brother told me I should write one because I didn't like them. Who knew? He did.
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I love this question. For me, I'm always pushing myself to explore new things or try things that make me uncomfortable. It's the willingness to be uncomfortable that takes us to some magical places in our writing
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Kat, I tend to begin with the genres that naturally resonate, but I’ve found real growth often happens slightly outside that space.
Sometimes a genre that isn’t instinctively “mine” reveals structural or tonal approaches that deepen my primary work — whether it’s rhythm, restraint, or a different way of revealing character.
Even when the surface aesthetics differ, the underlying human questions often connect across genres.
Exploring those differences can sharpen one’s own voice rather than dilute it.
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Kat Spencer I like to genre hop, though drama is where I live the most. Even so, I'm always looking for how I can blend other genres in so there can be more dimension.