Read Outside the Genre You Write

Reading is more than just a fun pastime—it’s a chance to explore different narrative styles and techniques. While focusing on your chosen genre helps you master its nuances and expectations, writing is a forever learning process. Stepping outside your comfort zone by exploring new genres can lead to unexpected discoveries that may enrich your craft.
I have to remind myself to take that same advice – step outside my own comfort zone. I hate change, because my anxiety as taught me that change is scary and its safer to be a creature of habit. And let’s be honest, it can be an expensive experiment trying new books or new authors. As of this writing, a newly released hardback from a New York Times best-selling author can start at $20.
There are a few things have made it easier for me to read outside of fantasy and science fiction
There are a few things have made it easier for me to read outside of fantasy and science fiction. I’m lucky to live within walking distance to my city library or can use MyLIBRO to borrow books without committing to a purchase. My workplace started a lending library a few years ago and there is always a rotating selection of books, which encourages me to try something new. For affordable options I turn to Thrift Books online or my local used bookstores, Bookmans and Changing Hands.
Moving between genres is a great way to keep your reading feeling fresh and exciting. When you stick to a single genre for too long, it can start to feel repetitive or predictable, leading to burnout. Shifting from a gritty thriller to a lighthearted romance or from epic fantasy to a thought-provoking memoir gives your mind a reset. It also lets you approach each new book with fresh eyes, ready to fully enjoy its unique style, theme, and characters. Over time, this practice can help you develop a more diverse and deeper understanding of storytelling.
Exploring these different styles can inspire new perspectives and creative solutions for your own stories.
Keep in mind you’re not just passively reading. Exploring these different styles can inspire new perspectives and creative solutions for your own stories. So grab a highlighter, sticky notes, or if the thought of marking up a book doesn’t sit right with you, use your phone or laptop to jot down thoughts. Let yourself get lost in the book and experience it as a reader. The best insights often come from moments where the story hooks you or surprises you – those are occasions worth paying attention to.
As I read, I pay close attention to how the author introduces characters, using dialogue or action to reveal their personalities and motivations. I also look at how they weave backstory and world-building into the narrative without overwhelming the reader—does anyone else feel like they belong in world builders anonymous? Additionally, I note key moments of rising action and emotional stakes to see how the pacing holds a reader’s attention from start to finish.
By looking for recurring symbols, imagery, or dialogue that support’s the central theme, it reminds me to think abut the bigger picture in my own writing. I note instances where the author plants subtle clues early in the story that pay off later. These might be a line of dialogue, a seemingly minor event, or an object that gains significance as the plot unfolds. And finally, I try to pay close attention to how an author wraps up the story. Do they wrap up all the loose ends in a way that feels satisfying, or do they leave some questions unanswered to get you thinking or hint at what’s to come?
Each new genre you explore adds another layer to your creative toolkit, even if it’s in ways you don’t realize right away.
Every time I’ve stepped outside my reading comfort zone, I’ve come away with something valuable—not just for my writing, but for myself. Exploring a genre I didn’t think I’d enjoy has helped me understand different perspectives, sparked unexpected ideas, and even made me reflect on my own storytelling habits. It’s not always about loving every book you try; sometimes, the lesson is in understanding what doesn’t work for you and why. Each new genre you explore adds another layer to your creative toolkit, even if it’s in ways you don’t realize right away.
I hope this post has inspired you to pick up a new book with fresh eyes and a sense of curiosity. Whether it’s a genre you’ve been avoiding or a story you wouldn’t usually choose, let yourself experience it fully—both as a reader and as a writer. You might just find something that changes the way you think about storytelling and sparks your next big idea. Happy reading!