I’m what you might call a “genre hopper”. I’m lead by my stories and characters rather than being led by a specific genre. My debut novel, Megan’s Way, was a work of literary fiction, while Chasing Amanda was suspense. My next book, Come Back to Me (working title) is general fiction and my work-in-progress, Shades of Gray, is a women’s fiction/YA crossover. There’s no rhyme or reason for the genres I write other than what I’m feeling at the start of the project.
There are many authors, most, I believe, that write in one specific genre. They build a following in that genre, and their readers know what to 
expect with each book, while my readers are taken down completely different paths with each book.
expect with each book, while my readers are taken down completely different paths with each book.
Settling into a genre can be a very valuable avenue for writers. I’ve been told that it’s easier to build a loyal following by doing so. And, let’s face it; it’s an easier process to follow a genre formula than to recreate the wheel each time you write a book. So why, you may ask, do I take the tougher road?
Nothing I do in my life is for the outcome that is typically expected. I don’t write to sell the most books or gain the loudest kudos. I write because it fills me with happiness. I write to share my stories with others, and I write because it allows me to continuously learn while doing something that I love. I follow my heart when I write, and I think my readers appreciate the diversity and raw emotions that I bring to them.
Is genre hopping okay? That depends on how you look at it. I don’t think that traditional publishers necessarily think it’s a wise or representable avenue, but then again, no one could have predicted the industry being overtaken by eBooks either. Who knows, maybe I’ll start a revolution (I doubt it, and I’m not looking to spearhead the notion, either). Good writing comes from the heart. Whether you’re a genre hopper or a tried and true monogamous genre writer, write what you love and your readers will follow.
Article written for My Life In Stories
Melissa Foster is a New York Time and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.