After writing the Dreamer Trilogy, which is a futuristic novel, some people might find it strange that my next release is going to be a contemporary story. So I thought I’d write a quick post about why I love writing and reading both of these genres.

Contemporary

To be honest I find writing this genre much easier. I use my imagination to an extent, but having gone through high school (doesn’t matter how long ago right?) I have many of not only my own experiences to pull from but also the experiences of friends. If you got through high school without being called a ‘name’ or feeling as though you just didn’t fit in sometimes, I applaud you, because I’m sure your case is rare indeed.

Through my teenage years I loved reading about teens going through the same things I was going through. I also learnt about teen pregnancy, drugs, sex, how to deal with bullies and how not to treat my friends by reading the words of stories. It was always a dream of mine to be able to do the same, to open conversation between friends or teens and their parents/guardians so that they always felt like they had someone they could talk to and know that they aren’t alone.

Dystopian/Futuristic

This is the genre I write where I can unleash my vivid imagination. From building futuristic worlds that could exist many years from now, to posing the thought that some of our advances in science and technology may be our undoing, the dystopian/futuristic theme lets me get across many of the thoughts and worries I have about our future on earth.

Inspired by books such as The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Divergent by Veronica Roth and The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancy, I feel this is a genre where you can still relate to the characters while wondering how you would fair in a post-apocalyptic world. Would you survive an alien invasion? Would you do what you are told and stay in line or fight for your right to be a free thinking individual?

So, for now, I’ll continue writing in both of these genres. But who knows, I could even wander into the world of Fantasy somewhere down the line 😉

What is your favourite genre to read/write and why? Let me know in the comments below.