How do you push the boundaries of genre conventions while still delivering a story that resonates with your audience?

Pushing the boundaries of genre conventions while delivering a resonant story requires a balance between innovation and familiarity. Here’s a guide to achieving this:

 

1. Understand the Core of Your Genre

 

• Study the Tropes: Know the standard elements and expectations of your genre (e.g., a mystery needs suspense, a romance requires emotional connection).

• Identify the Purpose: Understand why these conventions exist and what readers value about them.

 

Example: In fantasy, world-building is key, but readers are often drawn to the universal struggles of characters within that world.

 

2. Subvert or Reimagine Tropes

 

• Subvert Expectations: Introduce an unexpected twist to familiar tropes.

• Blend Genres: Combine elements from multiple genres to create something fresh.

 

Example: Instead of a typical “chosen one” hero, make your protagonist someone actively resisting the role, adding complexity and depth.

 

3. Focus on Character-Driven Stories

 

• Develop Unique Characters: Create characters with rich, relatable motivations that transcend genre norms.

• Challenge Archetypes: Rework stock characters (e.g., a villain with altruistic motives or a hero with morally grey actions).

 

Example: In a sci-fi setting, a rebellious AI might be written as a sympathetic figure rather than a traditional antagonist.

 

4. Innovate the Setting or World-Building

 

• Twist Familiar Elements: Present a setting that feels fresh, even if it borrows from genre standards.

• Use Symbolism: Infuse the environment with meaning tied to the story’s themes.

 

Example: A dystopian world where hope is symbolized not by rebellion, but by small acts of kindness that ripple outward.

 

5. Explore Unconventional Themes

 

• Tackle subjects that are rarely explored in the genre, or approach common themes from a unique angle.

• Challenge societal norms or cultural expectations embedded in the genre.

 

Example: A romance story focusing on self-love and growth rather than a traditional “happily ever after.”

 

6. Experiment with Structure

 

• Use non-linear timelines, multiple perspectives, or unconventional narrative techniques.

• Play with pacing to surprise readers (e.g., a mystery that reveals the culprit early, shifting focus to “why” rather than “who”).

 

Example: A thriller where the protagonist and antagonist both narrate, creating a dual-perspective tug-of-war.

 

7. Honor Emotional Truths

 

• Focus on universal emotions and experiences that resonate regardless of genre.

• Ensure the story remains relatable and engaging through authentic character arcs.

 

Example: Even in a speculative setting, themes of love, loss, or identity keep the story grounded.

 

8. Invite Reader Participation

 

• Include ambiguity or unanswered questions that provoke thought and discussion.

• Encourage readers to engage actively by challenging assumptions.

 

Example: A horror story where the true nature of the “monster” is left open to interpretation.

 

9. Retain a Thread of Familiarity

 

• Maintain enough recognizable elements to keep the audience anchored.

• Fulfill the genre’s core promise (e.g., justice in a mystery, love in a romance), even if approached unconventionally.

 

Example: A fantasy that deconstructs traditional magic systems but still delivers an epic quest.

 

10. Test and Iterate

 

• Share drafts with trusted readers or critique groups to gauge whether innovations enhance the story or confuse the audience.

• Revise based on feedback to strike the right balance between creativity and coherence.

 

Key Principle:

 

Always prioritize storytelling. Pushing boundaries shouldn’t be about breaking rules for the sake of it but about enriching the narrative in a way that connects deeply with your audience.

The best way to find the balance is to read. If you are talking about one genre in particular, then I assume you read a lot in that genre. Let's take thriller as an example. If you read a load of thriller, you know all about the common genre conventions, tropes, cliches, and patterns. A lot of those things are good - readers want to see them in some form - but you should attempt to put your own twist on things. Those twists often come to me when I'm reading. If an author takes a story one way but I wonder 'what if they had done this instead?' I jot the idea down. Great writing inspires great writing, after all.

Pushing the boundaries of genre conventions while creating a resonating story involves a delicate balance. Here are some tips to achieve this:

1. Know the rules before breaking them: Understand the traditional elements of your genre so you can strategically deviate from them.

2. Focus on character development: Strong, relatable characters can carry a story, even if the plot strays from convention.

3. Experiment with narrative structure: Play with timelines, perspectives, or non-linear storytelling to add depth and intrigue.

4. Infuse originality: Introduce fresh themes, settings, or twists that challenge traditional norms and captivate readers.

5. Stay true to emotions: No matter how unconventional your approach, ensure that your story evokes genuine emotions for a lasting impact.

By blending innovation with timeless storytelling principles, you can create a narrative that both defies expectations and deeply connects with your audience.

Resonating with the audience is about being truthful and authentic. Write people like people - with all their complexity and flaws. The universalities of the human condition will be relatable no matter the genre. We all have wants and needs, we've all lost things that mattered to us, we understand love and pain. Grounding a genre piece in that human emotion will allow you to push it into new areas; see things from a human perspective. I've written lots of screen adaptations of genre novels, and that's always what I hone in on; bringing out the humanity, even when it's werewolves or UFOs. 

The simple answer is: You research your audience.

We live in an age where being close to your target audience is easier than ever, You as an artist can become an anonymous member of the crowd and listen to what they're saying. Sites such as Reddit can rank how popular a certain answer to a question is, giving you an excellent idea of whether or not someone's opinion is mainstream or fringe.

You can also send out polls to your mailing list, if you're already an established author. You don't need to be specific, just ask half a dozen questions about traditional genre boundaries and various ways that you might increase the scope of the genre. You'll soon see what they find acceptable and what they don't.

Armed with that knowledge, you can make a risk assessment: If I push the genre in this direction, what are the chances that I'll be rewarded? If you feel it's still worth your time after the assessment, go for it. If not, back to the drawing board.

My Ihy Saga trilogy was an example of what not to do when pushing the boundaries of a genre. It was a critical success, but a commercial failure. Incorporating real world musical elements into a paranormal fantasy was a bridge too far for most of my audience. This was a result of my risk assessments at the time, which were nowhere near as detailed as they are today.

In short: Directly or indirectly, you should use polling and social media to ask your audience how comfortable they are with genre stretching.