They are characterised by sensual tension, desire, and idealism. These stories are about a romantic relationship between two people. Source for image The 17 Most Popular Genres In Fiction We sometimes need stories we can rely on to blunt the harsh realities of life.

The most important part of genre fiction, though, is that it fulfils our human need for good, old-fashioned storytelling. Readers ultimately decide if the experiment has worked by buying these books. Genres reflect trends in society and they evolve when writers push the boundaries. Writers can use this to their advantage because their boundaries are models on which to base stories. There is also a camaraderie between readers who follow the same genres. We buy certain books because we have enjoyed similar stories in the past. Reading these novels gives us a sense of belonging, of sitting down with an old friend and knowing we’re on familiar ground. Genres are great because they fulfil reader expectations. There are often sub-genres within genres, for example, a fantasy story with sinister, frightening elements would belong to the dark fantasy sub-genre. The tone employed by the author, and the mood created for the reader, must also suit the genre.

These will vary in type, details, intensity, and length of description. There are general rules to follow, for example, manuscript length, character types, settings, themes, viewpoint choices, and plots. Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write. As an author, genre controls what you write and how you write it. Genre is a style or category of art, music, or literature. We have put together a list of the 17 most popular genres in fiction to help you with your writing.

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