As a writing mentor, I’ve seen it happen time and time again—writers start out with great ideas, only to find themselves lost in a muddle of genres. It’s easy to get caught up in blending too many styles, but the key to effective writing is knowing which genre you’re in and sticking to it—or, if you’re blending, making sure it works seamlessly.
Here are some tips to keep your genres clear and your writing on track:
1. Know Your Genre Inside Out 📚
Research the genre you're writing in. Whether it’s fantasy, thriller, or romance, each genre has its conventions and expectations. Familiarising yourself with these helps maintain consistency and keeps your readers engaged.
2. Understand Your Story’s Core 💡
Ask yourself: What is the heart of your story? Is it the mystery that needs to be solved? The romantic tension? The adventure? Defining this early on helps you stick to the core genre while adding subplots.
3. Stay Focused on Your Audience 🎯
Each genre has a specific audience in mind. Think about what your readers expect and want from your book, and make sure you’re meeting those expectations—while still surprising them with unique twists.
4. Blend with Purpose 🔀
If you’re writing a cross-genre book (like a sci-fi romance or a historical thriller), make sure the genres complement each other. Don’t just throw them together for the sake of it—your plot and characters should fit within both genres in a way that feels natural.
5. Outline Before You Write 📝
Create a detailed outline to keep your genres in check. Planning out key plot points helps ensure that your story remains true to its genre, preventing confusion as you write.
When done right, blending genres can be brilliant—but confusion is the enemy of clarity! Know your genre, stay true to its conventions, and always keep your audience in mind.
#writingmentor #writingtips #novelwriting #fictionwriting #writingcommunity #mabelandstanleypublishing
The Power of a Writing Community
Writing can be a lonely old business and having a community of supportive, like-minded people around you can really help with motivation, inspiration and feedback which will greatly improve your chances of building on your writing skills and finishing your book!
If you're looking for a community then the Mabel and Stanley Writing and Publishing Community could be the very place to help you on your journey.
Drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll send you the details - with loads of resources, live Q&A sessions and a host of webinars and tutorials it's the perfect place to help you find the write path!
How to self publish without breaking the bank
Self publishing is an increasingly viable and attractive option for both new and seasoned authors, giving greater control and royalties in the long run.
In essence it is a 'free' option but that doesn't mean you should cut corners when cutting costs. A poorly produced book will do nothing for your author credibility although there are definitely lots of ways in which you can publish on a budget without compromising quality.
In this episode we discuss some of the ways in which you can publish on a budget...
If you have any further writing or publishing questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch [email protected] or why not subscribe to our newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop? http://eepurl.com/ipV7DI
Does writing your book ever feel too big to handle? ✍️
Don't be like Mabel 😂🐕
Breaking your project into bitesize chunks, creating a clear chapter plan & creating clear achievable milestones will mean that you won't be biting off more than you can chew and you're more likely to succeed.
👉🏻 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to be kept in the loop with writing and publishing tips and advice.
Comment 'NEWSLETTER' and I'll send you the link to sign up 🔗
#mabelandstanleypublishing #onlinewritingcommunity #howtowriteabook #helpwithwritingabook #writingabook
Struggling with writer’s block? 😣
💡Try this creative writing prompt:
Your protagonist discovers their face in a photo from a time they didn’t live through... What happens next?
✍🏼
Let your imagination run wild and use this challenge to spark something extraordinary.
💡 Top Tip: Show don't tell!
📌 Save this prompt, give it a go, and tag us when you’re done!
#writingprompt #overcomingwritersblock #writingtips #indieauthorsupport #writingcommunity
Author Interview with Richard Pearson
Richard Pearson was one of the cleaning heroes on Channel 5's Filthy House SOS.
In this interview he talks about his author journey writing his children's book Sparkle and the Messy Monster.
Richard is passionate about cleaning and inspiring kids to help out around the house learning valuable life skills housekeeping habits that will stay with them forever.
Richard is a great guy and it was wonderful to chat to him about his author journey, the challenges and the triumphs and how much he really enjoyed the process of writing his first book....there will be more to follow!
If you have written a book and would love to chat just email me at [email protected] or perhaps you'd like to write a book and don't know where to start! I love to hear from you all!
Self Publishing versus Traditional Publishing - Which path is right for you?
Publishing can be a veritable minefield and the truth is that no author's publishing journey is, or should be, the same.
There are pros and cons to both publishing methods from budget to the amount of technical knowledge you may need as well as other things to consider such as cover design, editing, formatting, royalties, marketing, query letters, submissions....the list goes on and on!
Finding a mentor or someone you trust to give you the right answers to your questions and who will also help you to find a publishing path that suits your book goals is crucial...
If you have any questions about your publishing journey then drop me a line at [email protected] - I am always happy to help!
THEY'RE CYNICAL, SARCASTIC AND MORALLY GREY...
🦸🏼❌ Anti-heroes don’t follow the rules – they’re lone wolves who rely on their own code.
👉🏻 They have Common Flaws:
Anti-heroes often come across as selfish, jaded, and cold. They hold grudges, act pragmatically, and sometimes, ignore the greater good.
👉🏻 They often come with a Backstory:
Their tough exterior? It’s often a survival tactic. Anti-heroes usually come from hardship – betrayal, trauma, loss. Their world taught them that trust is a risk.
👉🏻 What are their Motivations?:
Beneath the armour, there’s often a hidden drive – a need for justice, survival, or even a personal code of honour.
👉🏻 How does your anti-hero balance their flaws with their moments of heroism?
The best anti-heroes keep us guessing and make us question our own moral compass.
Are you ready to write a character who’s tough, flawed, and unforgettable?
#writingtips #characterdevelopment #antiherotraits #mabelandstanley #writingmentor
From Idea to Manuscript - How to get started with your first book
So many budding writers tell me that they would love to write a book but that they just don't know where or how to get started!
The thing about book writing is that it can feel so overwhelming if you look at the whole project instead of breaking it down into manageable chunks.
Having a plan, a writing schedule and a clear idea of your writing goals, visions and aims can make the impossible feel possible...!
If you'd like help to get started on your writing journey then drop me a line at [email protected] or find me on all the social media channels @mabelandstanleypublishing - I am always happy to help!
#NaNoWriMo #writingsprint #writers #writingcommunity
#NaNoWriMo #writingcommunity #writetopublish #writingsprint
Just 3 days before the start of #NaNoWriMo
Are you ready to join and get your writing project well and truly started...?
