
Writing can be an adventure that allows you to venture across many paths, some familiar and others unfamiliar. If you choose to write in the fiction genre there are many subcategories which you can choose from to tell your story. According to Writers Write, a South African based blog genre:
is a style or category of art, music, or literature. As an author, genre controls what you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write. Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories (Patterson, 2016).
Of course writers can choose several subgenres related to fiction or even just focus on one! It depends solely on the intention of the writer which category he/she selects. The most popular genres include: Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical, Literary, Humor, Horror, Romance, Thrillers and Westerns (Giska, 2020).This two part series will expand upon the various fiction genres along with their most popular subgenres. Let’s look at a few of these popular genres related to fiction to help you understand more about and explore your writing interests.
Adventure

Everyone loves a good adventure, both in real life and imaginary! This genre of fiction is popular because of the diversity of action which includes subgenres such as “Secrets and Spies; Remarkable Quests; Man v.s. Wild; Unlikely Duos and Sport Showdowns” (Giska, 2020). Of course there are many other subgenres to explore in the adventure genre; once again the choice lies solely in the hands of the writer. Well known authors in the adventure genre include Lee Child, Dean Koontz, James Patterson and Daniel Silva.
Fantasy

This genre of fiction focuses on exploring fictional, alternate worlds which have been influenced by the real world! Subgenres include: “Folklore; Contemporary; Epic; Dark; Superheroes” (Giska, 2020). As avid writers and readers I’m sure we all have a favorite fantasy book sitting comfortably in our libraries. My favorite fantasy book is C.S.Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia- this series has set the tone for my own writing, so it is safe to say that this genre gets a gold star from me! Popular authors in the fantasy genre include J.K Rowling, J.R.R.Tolkien and George R Martin.
Romance

This genre has been popular for quite sometime and continues to remain a favorite amongst readers. Subgenres include: “Contemporary; Historical; Erotic; Fantasy and Multi-cultural” )Giska, 2020). Popular authors in the romance category include E.L James, Fern Michaels, Nicholas Sparks and Nora Roberts.
Each genre offers unique perspective to the world of fiction which allows both writers and readers to connect with diverse and imaginative worlds, characters and theme.
RESOURCES
Giska, G. (2020). 10 Fiction Genres All Writers Should Know. https://thejohnfox.com/2020/02/10-fiction-genres-all-writers-should-know/ Accessed September 3rd 2020
Patterson, A, (2016). The 17 Most Popular Genres In Fiction – And Why They Matter. https://www.writerswrite.co.za/the-17-most-popular-genres-in-fiction-and-why-they-matter/ Accessed September 3rd 2020
by Tatiana Handfield