How to Write the Same Paragraph in 7 Different Genres

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How to Write the Same Paragraph in Seven Different Genres

Romance, Erotica, Comedy Romance, Horror, Comedy Horror, Upbeat Sci-fi/Fantasy, and Dark Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Welcome! Just like background music in a movie, your descriptive writing style can let the reader know what they’re in for: no plot required. Here are some tips for different types of writing.

This amazingly boring paragraph is going to be our starting point.

Anne walked into the room to see Carol playing the piano, while a fire burned in the fireplace. Through the window, Anne could see snow falling. A golden retriever trotted in from the hallway.

Let’s begin with Romance

Anne had never seen Carol by firelight. It made her blond hair glow, even as her hands on the piano keys were cast in the blue not-shadow of falling snow. The music went awry when a golden retriever laid its head on Carol’s lap. She tried to continue the piece while petting the dog, and it was unsuccessful, and it was adorable, and Anne didn’t know when she’d started wanting this. Stupid mundane stuff like a fireside in a snowstorm, and Carol laughing.

So for romance, we want to include some flattering stuff about the love interest (Carol is pretty, she can play piano, she likes dogs, and dogs like her). And then we get to the most important bit: Anne’s pining. Pining is bread-and-butter to a romance, but the goal can vary. For regular romance, it’s the happily-ever-after (mundane snowy afternoons with Carol). For erotica, you can put a bit more wanton in your wanting, as shown below.

Erotica (Or just Smuttier Romance)

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