How To Write What You Love

In this post, we tell you how to write what you love – not what other people think you should write.

One of the first things we do on a Writers Write course is ask you to list the last 10 books that you have read. The rule of the (very big) thumb being that you will probably write what you like to read.

I always smile when people list all these wonderful literary works that have won Pulitzer Prizes and Booker Prizes. Then, somewhere, usually around number four, they add something like a good old bodice-ripping romp. This is always done with a lot of blushing and explanations like, ‘It’s a fun read’ and ‘It’s for when I really need to relax’.

Why Do These Books Embarrass Us?

I like reading and writing romance, but it is frowned upon. The books are supposedly badly written, with unrealistic plots and flat characters. And I agree; some of them are atrocious, but it has nothing to do with the genre. I have found the same problems in all genres, including the literary ones. Bad writing is bad writing in any genre.

Well said, Stephen, but it is easier said than done. 

How To Write What You Love

Try This Exercise

1. List the last 10 books that you have read.
2. Write down the genre of each.
3. Write down what viewpoint it was written in.
4. In what era was/is it set?
5. What tense did the author use? Past or present?
6. Gender of the protagonist. What did you like or dislike about them?
7. Gender of the antagonist. What did you like or dislike about them?
8. Description: Too much, too little.
9. Dialogue: Good, bad, too much, too little.
10. Setting: Was the setting integral to the plot?
11. What was the inciting moment?
12. Identify the three surprises or twists.
13. Identify the friend and love interest.
14. What did you like about the book?
15. What did you dislike about the book?

Spot The Similarity

Even if every book was written in a different genre, or if they seem completely random, you will find similarities. Maybe three had female protagonists and two were male, but what was the commonality between them? Were they all detectives? Were they all strong leaders? Did they refuse to give up? Were they mavericks?

Pull the books you read apart. Dissect them. What did you love about them? What kept you turning the page?

Life is too short to write stories that don’t excite us. Write what you love, not what you think your mother, your professor, your spouse, or your friends expect you to write.

The Last Word

Try to write the stories you love to read using this formula. Silencing your internal critic is hard enough. Don’t let them take the joy out of your writing (or reading).

by Mia Botha

If you enjoyed this blogger’s writing, you will love:

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5. How Much Magic Do You Need In A Fantasy Novel?
6. Why Do Writers Fail To Finish Their Books?
7. How Much Does It Cost To Write A Book?
8. A Quick Start Guide To Writing YA Fiction
9. A Quick Start Guide To Writing For Children
10. The Importance Of Paper When You Plan Your Story
11. 6 Important Things About Flash Fiction