Do you find a plot which leans on multiple genres compelling or too messy?

[more_than_a_guy]

I have a story that I write. The base is epic fantasy (a quest), yet I add elements from other genres, like mystery, horror, romance, drama etc. Like real life is a combination of genres.

I know it's difficult to add all of them together in a beneficial way, and easily can be too messy of a mishmash. I do have ideas how to add them and when, but I am still hesitant.

[ZamerZ]

I work in the film and TV industry, heavily in the department of screenplay, and the best advice I can give you is that generally, while a mish-mash of different genres can be super intriguing, it's uppermost that you don't go overboard. You need to take a close look at your outline and plot points and decide which genres make the most sense within the story. The more you "limit" yourself, the more productively you can work creatively. Otherwise you're at the risk of drowning in a sea of possibilities.

Personally, I like it when a story fits multiple genres because I like variety - as long as it is coherent. I recently read a novel that subverted my expectations a little and I loved it! I thought I was diving into a certain genre, but one of the plot twists was the genre itself. So that can work as well. Good luck and lots of fun with your project!

[Akam93]

To messy for me. I'm a bookworm so I know a lot about reading.

[Anonymous]

No, too messy.