Different Genres Writers Should Focus On In The Coming Years

Literature grows with every passing century. There seems to be a boom in one particular genre every century and that century comes to be known for that. The 19th-century literature can be attributed to the vast, detailed, and lauded works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Similarly, the early 20th century came to be known as the ‘Jazz Age’ and the latter as the ‘classical age’ of noir.

In the 21st century, there has been an uproar in several genres of literature. In India, authors have
started experimenting with genres such as non-fiction, romance, mythology, and drama. As the base
of Indian literature is rapidly expanding, the genres Indian authors choose are becoming rather
mainstream. 

In this piece, we will discuss three different genres writers should focus on in the coming years.

Noir

In my previous piece, I dedicated the entire article to the lack of noir films in the modern world of
cinema. I’m sad to inform you but the state of noir in literature is much too same. Most of the noir
films that soon became classics of this style of writing were in fact, adaptations of novels.
Famous names like ‘Double Indemnity’ ‘Post Man Always Rings Twice’ and ‘L.A. Confidential’,
to name a few, are noir films based on noir novels. 

In the last 10 years, noir is a style that remains untouched by any author. There have been a few
attempts, but nothing special when compared with its predecessors. A sub-branch of noir, Nordic
Noir seems to have a growing base in the last few years, but authentic noir, for example,
‘The Maltese Falcon’ by Dashiell Hammett, seems lost. 

This long hiatus from noir has been much too long. There is an active audience for this style
of writing and there is a gap that needs to be filled with new books. Writing noir offers a new shift
towards a style of literature. It offers a lot of opportunities because not many authors venture out
of their comfort writing spaces to create something different.

Historical Fiction

To say there are not many books in India on Historical Fiction would be a disrespect to authors like
Salman Rushdie, Amitav Ghosh, Shashi Tharoor. Books like ‘A Fine Balance’, “Midnight’s Children’,
and ‘Train to Pakistan’ are examples of the fine specimens India has created over the years in the
Historical Fiction genre. 

This may seem like a genre that has been experimented upon by many ace authors, but there are
always some stories that remain hidden to be found and portrayed by authors. Historical fiction allows
the author the liberty to take up any historical event and create around it a world unheard, unseen. 

So, take your chances, dig up graves dug too deep, and create your own history. Someone may have
done something similar, but that shouldn’t stop you from creating what you are passionate about. 

Mystery 

It won’t be wrong to say that the one genre India has failed to reach to the root of is Mystery.
Besides a handful, and mostly belonging to a different era, Indian mystery literature barely holds
ground when compared with the west’s devotion to making mystery a mainstream product rather
than a niche with a small following. Staring from Secret Seven, Hardy Boys, Famous Five, to Sidney
Sheldon and finally the legendary Dan Brown, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the west has created mystery
novels for nearly the entire demographic. And these are just to name a few. 

To expect Indian authors to create a similar hegemony of sorts in the mystery genre is wishful thinking.
Although there are a few who have tried their hands successfully to some extent in this genre, like
Ashwin Sanghi, India lags way behind in this genre of writing. Sanghi alone can’t create books to fill
the void of mystery novels in India.

Thus, upcoming authors need to pick up this genre and experiment with it. There is no point in saying
there is no reference point. When Sir Arthur started writing Sherlock Holmes, he created all the
mysteries using his imagination and created something legendary which remains legendary even
after 150 years. 

Final Words: Different Genres Writers Should Focus On In The Coming Years

These genres and styles of writing are just a few to begin with. There are endless opportunities for
young authors to pick up and paint their stories on the minds of their readers. 

About the Author

Sharon is an educator and writer. She is often found reading fiction and obsessing over dogs.
Sharon works as a writer at Binge Mad, a Tv, Movies, and Books blog.