There are a few questions today about genre so I thought I would post something to help.
When we write something as large as a novel there are often crossovers to other genres. This especially applies to great big epics like mine. I've been giving some thought to what metatags I might use on a website and it occurred to me it might help others place their genre.
For instance, some keywords which apply to my series of novels are;
Travel, Children as carers/breadwinners, Mental Illness, LGBT, Bisexuality, Metrosexuality, Fiji, Gap Year, Backpacking, Secret Internet Forums, Family Saga, Will they/Won't they Romance, Toxic Waste, PTSD, Miscarriage, Genetic Abnormalities.
There is no genre which covers that mixed bag but fortunately for me the one theme running all the way through the main characters' lives are each other and no matter what happens to them the relationship is always centre stage, so I can easily place my genre as romance.
What are your keywords? Is there one which runs as a theme thoughout your novel? What one subject underpins your story? Feel free to list your keywords and let others help. Vxx
My novel is fundamentally chivalric. It is a chivalric romance. Its central concept is the age-old conflict between love and duty. It has elements of fantasy, but the genre is chivalric.
How do I know the genre of my novel is chivalric and not fantasy? Because the fantasy aspect lies in the background, whereas, chivalry is at the core of my novel. It is ever present like the word that runs through a stick-of-rock. Chivalry is ingrained and essential to the plot and storyline.
If you have thoroughly planned your novel then you will already know the genre of your novel. But if you have written hundreds of pages without considering the genre, then ask yourself.
What is your novel about?
Where is the location/setting for your novel?
In what time period is it set?
What is the social background of the protagonist?
What are the underlying cultural expectations and social issues which influence the characters?
Now you mention it, Megan, Christianity should have been on my list.
The idea is to think about search words, not just themes. How might someone find your novel if they were to google? If someone typed in 'book about...' what would bring them to your work?
Summarising down to keywords gives you a basic list of what appears in your work. You can then link those things with genre and theme.
My genre is romance but my theme is choice. Those with choice - who travel, are members of elite internet forums, those who can afford a gap year and, perhaps controversially, bisexuals. And then those without choice - child carers, the mentally ill and those who feel trapped by their sexuality. The keywords are all differing fabrics picked up by the same thread in your work. Good luck!
I'm writing a supernatural/suspense/drama/hurt and comfort story. But it's hard to define it completely now.
Good luck with yours :)