How to avoid drifting into a different genre?
My intention is to write a novel that falls into the "contemporary fiction" genre. Also, maybe, the "family drama" subgenre, if such a thing exists. I have a plot point that puts one of my characters in legal trouble, in turn, this affects the protagonist and requires a large portion of her attention. She does not need to find the solution for the problem, but she needs to be pushing for it.
My problem is that I find myself thinking and writing about the legal aspects of the case, the proceedings, the laws, legal arguments, and so on. I know I don't want to write a legal drama. That's not what the story is about. The story is really about the dynamic between the mother and the family. How can I present the obstacle without delving into details about it?
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1 answer
Firstly don't get too hung up on the genre - it's a very fluid concept that doesn't have to be anywhere near as strict as you are imagining.
Write the story and let it be what it is - if after writing it you want to reduce the legal elements then you can do that then. Even if it ends up being more of a "legal drama with family drama" than a "family drama with legal aspects" you might be pleasantly surprised by the end result.
Something that stuck out for me in your question:
requires a large portion of her attention
find myself thinking and writing about the legal aspects of the case, the proceedings, the laws, legal arguments
If it's sucking you in to a substantial extent - why wouldn't it do the same to the protagonist? Use that if she's getting absorbed in the case she's going to be less "present for family.
This is precisely the sort of event that places family dynamics under strain, which is pretty much the bread and butter of what "family drama" stories are all about - how does the rest of the family feel about the amount of attention and time that the legal situation is taking up? What are the consequences (Jail, fine etc) if the character in trouble loses their case? How will that possible future impact the family?
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