A Vast Sea of Genres

Over the past couple years, I’ve found that my primary reading focus has been Young Adult literature. It’s what I enjoy reading the absolute most which is probably why I write YA. But for me to be an author, I feel that I have to feast upon a variety of different literature genres. I rather adore Middle Grade works like Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer or Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. Plus, a whole slew of fiction genres have been a part of my literature study.

Being a lover of YA, it’s somewhat difficult to pull myself away from them for a while to eat up other genres. One genre I try to implement into my joyrides through words are the classics. I don’t do it much, but every once in a while I’ll read one.

Right now I’m reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. It’s rather hilarious just how far apart they are on the spectrum—one steeped in darkness, the other flowered with romance.

I’m reading Dracula out of a traditional book, but listening to Sense and Sensibility on audio book in order to utilize my time in an effective manner. I’m just gonna use the cliché: Hitting two birds with one stone.

I like to call my book a “Horrific Love Story.” These two books are very useful to add a dark aura and romantic touch to my story.

With saying this, the classics and all genres for that matter can help to improve an author’s writing because reading is research for a writer. Technically YA are where I get my stylistic ideas, but other genres aid me to formulate a story. Plus, I’ll be honest, they’re just fun to read.

I love reading. It’s a delight to become absorbed in a story, even if it is outside of my most beloved genre—Young Adult.

What is your favorite genre? Do you have a hard time branching out to read other ones? Or are you able to slide from one to the next with ease?