What Kind of Writer Are You? Why Genre Matters (and When It Doesn’t)

Every writer has their quirks. Some start with a Pinterest board and a Spotify playlist; others begin with a single sentence that won’t leave them alone. Some plan. Some flail. Some call it a novel. Others don’t dare name it yet.

And often, when we finally sit down to do the thing, the question creeps in:

“What am I actually writing?”

Genre isn’t everything. But understanding the conventions you’re leaning into, or pushing against, can help you shape your work, edit more clearly, and speak the language of the readers (and agents, and editors) you want to reach.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of short, focused blog posts to help writers working in specific genres think more clearly about their next steps. You won’t find hard rules or gatekeeping here, just friendly guidance, practical tips, and the occasional gentle provocation.

Every genre tells a different story, but every story starts with a blank page.

Why Genre Still Matters (Even in a Post-Genre World)

We live in a literary moment where categories are both necessary and increasingly fluid.

Bookshops and algorithms want labels. They want to know whether to shelve your work under ‘literary,’ ‘thriller,’ or ‘memoir with a strong narrative voice.’ But your story? It might not care.

That’s okay.

Knowing your genre doesn’t mean conforming to cliché. It simply gives you a starting point. It gives your reader a map, even if you end up surprising them with a detour. And for writers submitting to agents, self-publishing, or just trying to finish a draft, genre helps you name what you’re doing.

Even if you’re inventing your own sub-genre as you go!

What You Can Expect From This Series

Whether you’re writing the next sweeping fantasy epic or a quiet, confessional memoir, these posts are for you. Each one will explore a particular genre (or genre-adjacent space), including:

• Literary fiction (and how to edit without losing your voice)

• Memoir (and the line between truth and overshare)

• Crime, mystery & thrillers (pacing, structure, and red herrings)

• Fantasy & sci-fi (world-building and clarity)

• Romance & women’s fiction (emotion, stakes, and voice)

• Commercial fiction (and preparing your manuscript for the market)

Each post will include:

• Common pitfalls I see when editing manuscripts in that genre

• What’s worth keeping, and what might need a trim

• Encouragement tailored to where you are in your writing life

I’ll also be gently sharing how I can help if you’re looking for an editor who understands your genre and respects your voice. You can ask me anything, anytime.

Every genre has its own rhythm, but the writing process is always part art, part craft.

Why I’m Writing This Series

I’ve worked with writers across all kinds of genres and publishing pathways: self-published memoirists, business authors, emerging novelists, and even students shaping their first short stories.

Something that they’ve all had in common is a sense of creative vision, but a need for structure, clarity, or confidence. That’s where I come in.

As both a writer and an editor, I know what it means to second-guess yourself. I’ve lived through the long silences and messy middles. But I’ve also seen what can happen when a writer gets the right kind of feedback; when they finally hear the words, “You’re onto something.”

Coming Up First: Literary Fiction

My next post will be: How to Edit Literary Fiction (Without Killing Its Soul)

- out Saturday 8 November, 10am

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re working on a manuscript in any of these genres (or hovering between them), this is the perfect time to take the next step. I offer:

• 10% off your first editorial service for writers and creatives

• Free 500-word sample edit for creative writers who’d like to try before they commit

Let’s see what your words can do.

What’s your story? Let’s make sure it’s told the way you want it to be.