From Theme to Genre: How to Let Your Story’s Soul Shape Its Style

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A compass resting on an open map, symbolizing the journey of finding direction and clarity in storytelling.

Choosing the right genre and tone to bring your story’s purpose to life

Dear Writer,

You’ve nailed down the heartbeat of your story—the Identification, or its core purpose. You know why your story matters, what it’s about, and what message you want to share with the world. Now comes the next big step: deciding how to tell it.

This is where the genre and adjective come in. Think of them as the clothes your story wears. The genre defines the structure, while the adjective adds the color and texture. Together, they transform your theme into a living, breathing narrative that resonates with your readers.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Let the Purpose Guide the Genre

The theme of your story often hints at the genre that will serve it best. Consider these examples:

  • If your story is about self-discovery, it might thrive as a coming-of-age drama or even literary fiction.
  • If it’s about overcoming injustice, genres like thriller, dystopian fiction, or historical drama might amplify its impact.
  • If your theme is rooted in faith, spirituality, or moral growth, genres like contemporary fiction, inspirational fiction, or even fantasy (with allegorical elements) could create the right space for it.
  • If you want to explore idealism clashing with reality, romantic drama, political fiction, or speculative fiction might work well.

Ask yourself: What genre will best showcase the essence of my story?

Tip: Don’t choose a genre simply because it’s popular or marketable. Instead, let your theme dictate the form. The more authentic the match, the more your story will shine.

Step 2: Define the Emotional Core with Adjective

The adjective is the emotional lens of your story. It answers questions like:

  • What tone do you want to set?
  • How do you want your readers to feel while reading?
  • What emotional and ethical depth does your story need?

Here are some examples:

  1. A theme of love and loss could carry adjectives like poignant, bittersweet, or melancholic.
  2. A theme of resilience and courage might resonate with adjectives like uplifting, inspirational, or bold.
  3. A theme of justice and morality might thrive under adjectives like intense, gritty, or thought-provoking.
  4. A theme of faith and spirituality could align with adjectives like reflective, serene, or soulful.

These adjectives become the emotional language of your story. They shape everything from your characters’ inner lives to your prose style and the overall atmosphere of your narrative.

Exercise: Write down 3-5 adjectives that align with your story’s purpose. These will become your emotional guideposts as you write.

Step 3: Find Harmony Between Theme, Genre, and Adjective

The magic happens when your theme, genre, and adjective work in harmony. Let’s look at some examples:

  • A story about faith and self-discovery might thrive as literary fiction with an introspective and soulful tone.
  • A story about fighting against oppression could fit a dystopian thriller with a dark and urgent tone.
  • A story about idealism and love might unfold as a romantic drama with a hopeful and heartwarming tone.

When these elements align, they create a cohesive experience for the reader—one where every aspect of the story feels intentional and interconnected.

Step 4: Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Genres and adjectives are tools, not rules. If your story doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre, that’s okay! Hybrid genres are a powerful way to create something fresh and unexpected.

For example:

  • A theme of justice and redemption might blend elements of a legal thriller and inspirational fiction.
  • A theme of faith and resilience might combine historical fiction with spiritual reflection.

Experiment with different combinations until you find the one that feels authentic to your story.

In Conclusion

Choosing the right genre and tone is like finding the perfect setting for a diamond. Your story’s purpose is the gem, and the genre and adjective are the cut and polish that make it sparkle.

Take the time to explore how your theme can best be expressed. Let the purpose lead the way, and the rest will follow naturally.

What theme are you working with? What genre and tone do you think will suit it best? I’d love to hear your thoughts and help you refine your choices!


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