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Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list: https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/ To your larger quest...

posted 5y ago by DPT‭ · edited 5y ago by DPT‭

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#3: Post edited by

DPT‭ · 2020-01-13T17:49:38Z (almost 5 years ago)

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Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list:
https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/
~~To your larger question of how writing within a genre works in practice, it's my observation that new writers are usually well-advised to fit their work into expectations as much as possible. t~~
For example, you may have written a classic western, and the story is rolling along, saloons and ranchers and gun fights and whatnot, maybe a love story thrown in, and your readers are all on board. Then out of the blue the main cowgirl develops mind control powers. Or she transforms into a wyvern, or whatever.
You've departed from the genre. It's possible to pull off a crossover like this, but you are putting a hurdle between your manuscript and any agent who might be interested in representing a new Western. It won't be what they have in mind when they start reading your manuscript. Chances they want a cowgirl who can shape shift into a mind-controlling wyvern are slim.
So, you have a choice. As a new writer, probably best to try to conform to genre expectations. Look for the hallmarks of any particular genre and make sure your work is hitting each of those without ringing one of the bells classically reserved to other genres.
Last note. Some features, like romance, can comfortably be integrated into any genre. These features tend to be the ones that are relatable normal human experiences. Coming of age, loss and death, and so on.

Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list:
https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/
To your larger question of how writing within a genre works in practice, it's my observation that new writers are usually well-advised to fit their work into expectations as much as possible.
For example, you may have written a classic western, and the story is rolling along, saloons and ranchers and gun fights and whatnot, maybe a love story thrown in, and your readers are all on board. Then out of the blue the main cowgirl develops mind control powers. Or she transforms into a wyvern, or whatever.
You've departed from the Western genre. It's possible to pull off a Western/speculative crossover like this, but if you make this choice you're putting a hurdle between your manuscript and any agent who might represent Western. Your story simply won't be what they have in mind when they start reading your manuscript. (IOW, the chances they want a cowgirl who can shape shift into a mind-controlling wyvern are slim.)
So, you have a choice. As a new writer, probably best to try to conform to genre expectations. Look for the hallmarks of any particular genre and make sure your work is hitting each of those without ringing one of the bells classically reserved to other genres.
Last note. Some features, like romance, can comfortably be integrated into any genre. These features tend to be the ones that are relatable normal human experiences. Coming of age, loss and death, and so on.

#2: Post edited by

DPT‭ · 2020-01-13T17:48:02Z (almost 5 years ago)

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Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list:
https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/
To your larger question of how writing within a genre works in practice, it's my observation that the more a new writer can fit their work into expectations (while also delivering something new and well-written and possibly 'to market'), the more success that new writer will have.
For example, you may have written a classic western, and the story is rolling along, saloons and ranchers and gun fights and whatnot, maybe a love story thrown in, and your readers are all on board. Then out of the blue the main cowgirl develops mind control powers. Or she transforms into a wyvern, or whatever.
You've departed from the genre. It's possible to pull off a crossover like this, but you are putting a hurdle between your manuscript and any agent who might be interested in representing a new Western. It won't be what they have in mind when they start reading your manuscript. Chances they want a cowgirl who can shape shift into a mind-controlling wyvern are slim.
So, you have a choice. As a new writer, probably best to try to conform to genre expectations. Look for the hallmarks of any particular genre and make sure your work is hitting each of those without ringing one of the bells classically reserved to other genres.
Last note. Some features, like romance, can comfortably be integrated into any genre. These features tend to be the ones that are relatable normal human experiences. Coming of age, loss and death, and so on.

Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list:
https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/
To your larger question of how writing within a genre works in practice, it's my observation that new writers are usually well-advised to fit their work into expectations as much as possible. t
For example, you may have written a classic western, and the story is rolling along, saloons and ranchers and gun fights and whatnot, maybe a love story thrown in, and your readers are all on board. Then out of the blue the main cowgirl develops mind control powers. Or she transforms into a wyvern, or whatever.
You've departed from the genre. It's possible to pull off a crossover like this, but you are putting a hurdle between your manuscript and any agent who might be interested in representing a new Western. It won't be what they have in mind when they start reading your manuscript. Chances they want a cowgirl who can shape shift into a mind-controlling wyvern are slim.
So, you have a choice. As a new writer, probably best to try to conform to genre expectations. Look for the hallmarks of any particular genre and make sure your work is hitting each of those without ringing one of the bells classically reserved to other genres.
Last note. Some features, like romance, can comfortably be integrated into any genre. These features tend to be the ones that are relatable normal human experiences. Coming of age, loss and death, and so on.

#1: Initial revision by

DPT‭ · 2020-01-13T17:47:08Z (almost 5 years ago)

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Yes, there is an established definition for each genre. Here is a list:

https://resources.writersonlineworkshops.com/resources/definitions-of-fiction-categories-and-genres/

To your larger question of how writing within a genre works in practice, it's my observation that the more a new writer can fit their work into expectations (while also delivering something new and well-written and possibly 'to market'), the more success that new writer will have.

For example, you may have written a classic western, and the story is rolling along, saloons and ranchers and gun fights and whatnot, maybe a love story thrown in, and your readers are all on board. Then out of the blue the main cowgirl develops mind control powers. Or she transforms into a wyvern, or whatever.

You've departed from the genre. It's possible to pull off a crossover like this, but you are putting a hurdle between your manuscript and any agent who might be interested in representing a new Western. It won't be what they have in mind when they start reading your manuscript. Chances they want a cowgirl who can shape shift into a mind-controlling wyvern are slim.

So, you have a choice. As a new writer, probably best to try to conform to genre expectations. Look for the hallmarks of any particular genre and make sure your work is hitting each of those without ringing one of the bells classically reserved to other genres.

Last note. Some features, like romance, can comfortably be integrated into any genre. These features tend to be the ones that are relatable normal human experiences. Coming of age, loss and death, and so on.

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