Blog #20 - November 2nd, 2025
By
Dan E Arndt
Posted: 2025-11-03T01:36:15Z
Why Genre-Hopping Can Boost Your Creativity (Even If You’re a “One-Genre” Writer)
When the Muse Starts Yawning
You know the feeling: same characters, same themes, same kind of story. You sit down at your desk, but the words come out gray and stiff instead of bright and alive. It’s not that you’ve lost your talent, it’s that your creative muscles are simply used to the same workout.
That’s where genre-hopping comes in. Trying a completely different style of writing, even for a short piece, can reignite your imagination and give your craft new energy.
What Is “Genre-Hopping”?
Genre-hopping means deliberately stepping outside your usual literary lane to explore something new. Maybe you’re a romance writer who dabbles in a mystery short story. A memoirist who experiments with speculative flash fiction. A thriller writer who tries a heartfelt personal essay. You’re not abandoning your genre. You’re cross-training your creativity.
Why It Works
- Fresh Eyes, Fresh Energy
- When you shift genres, your brain stops running on autopilot. You can’t rely on familiar patterns — so your creative instincts sharpen.
- New Craft Lessons
- Each genre emphasizes different skills. Poetry hones rhythm and image. Mystery strengthens pacing and plot. Fantasy expands world-building muscles. Trying new forms builds versatility that you bring back to your main work.
- Freedom from Pressure
- Because it’s not “your usual thing,” there’s less expectation. You write more freely, with curiosity instead of perfectionism, and that often produces surprising breakthroughs.
- Better Reader Awareness
- Reading and writing in multiple genres teaches you how audiences differ, and helps you understand tone, voice, and emotional pacing across forms. That awareness can elevate your storytelling everywhere.
How to Start (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
- Pick a Tiny Project
- Choose something small such as 500 to 2,000 words, one scene, or a single poem. Think of it as a creative sprint, not a marathon.
- Read One Example
- Before writing, read one strong example in the genre you’re exploring. Notice the rhythms, structure, and emotional tone.
- Set a Playful Goal
- Tell yourself: “I’m just experimenting.” You don’t have to finish a full story. The point is to see what you learn.
- Reflect on the Experience
- Afterward, ask: What felt different? What came easier? What surprised me? Then note how you can bring that energy back into your main genre.
A Pennwriters Twist: Try It Together
Writing doesn’t have to be solitary. Consider organizing a “Genre-Hop Challenge” within your Pennwriters Area or critique group:
- Each participant picks a genre they’ve never tried.
- Everyone writes a short piece over one week.
- Share and discuss what you learned — not just the final product, but the process.
You can even pair this with one of Pennwriters’ write-ins or online meetups, using the time to experiment and then compare results.
I am presently doing this now by writing a Fantasy novel at the same time I got inspired to work on a novel I've had shelved for some time as well as another new novel both in the YA Contemporary phase. Let me tell you first hand that delving into Fantasy has enhanced my skills and speed with my normal YA Contemporary fiction writing.