Genre...

[KoyukiMegumi]

I am having a difficult time placing my stories into genres...

Like... It has sex. So should it be smut?
For example, the steaminess doesn't start until chapter 6...
But it also isn't sex all the time so... should it be mature only?

It has gore and some fight scenes, so should it be action, but it isn't explosions like that all the time...

Or adventure? But it isn't dungeons and dragons type of story, though it doesn't have to be like that to be an adventure...

It has traumatizing, tragic, and sad moments, so it can be a tragedy too...

Someone told me it has a bit of everything, but I just can't place it into a specific genre.
I don't want to mislead my readers, and I haven't had anyone comment that I have, but I feel like I am bad at labeling.

I don't know, just having a hard time with it. Wish someone could help me with this a bit.

What I am asking is for help with the story itself, or to explain to me genre is an easier way that my little brain is twisting itself in.

Link to the story so you can see the Genre I have or wish to help me classify it better:
The Gate of Shadows

Thanks for your time!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

I'm starting to highlight the words to read XD. I know how that feels, sometimes I put stuff out there but I'm not sure what I can categorize it in, since its actual genre is not there. Anyhow,

If it has sex, gore, then you can check those boxes under Content Warning.
I haven't read it yet, but it feels like a Fantasy Genre (easiest genre to cover on a lot of things).

Seeing how you have 9 genres you can put on a series on ScribbleHub..
1. Fantasy.

Adventure doesn't have to be just dungeons and dragons. It just means that characters go off on a journey or something like that.

Tragedy and sad moments. Doesn't have to be your main default genre, but can be your other 8 genre choices for your story. It helps to let readers know beforehand so they don't expect something when its not that.

Is the adventure the main focus of the story or the tragedy and the pains the characters go through in your story the main focus? Reading your synopsis already gives a feel where there could be tragedy in the story. S

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

I'm starting to highlight the words to read XD. I know how that feels, sometimes I put stuff out there but I'm not sure what I can categorize it in, since its actual genre is not there. Anyhow,

If it has sex, gore, then you can check those boxes under Content Warning.
I haven't read it yet, but it feels like a Fantasy Genre (easiest genre to cover on a lot of things).

Seeing how you have 9 genres you can put on a series on ScribbleHub..
1. Fantasy.

Adventure doesn't have to be just dungeons and dragons. It just means that characters go off on a journey or something like that.

Tragedy and sad moments. Doesn't have to be your main default genre, but can be your other 8 genre choices for your story. It helps to let readers know beforehand so they don't expect something when its not that.

Is the adventure the main focus of the story or the tragedy and the pains the characters go through in your story the main focus? Reading your synopsis already gives a feel where there could be tragedy in the story. S

The 9 genres are the thing that is throwing me off a bit.
Usually, it is just two but here you get more and I am like... But what if mine applies to most of them, in a sense?

The primary focus of my story is Romance/Fantasy. Or at least I think it is.

From the reaction I had from my readers on other sites, I can tell it can be an emotional rollercoaster of a story. So, there is a tragic element to it because of the life of the MC and everything she had to endure at a point in the story before everything went to well a crazy point.

It is an adventure because MC is going out and learning how it is to live after everything stops being colorful for her. So it is an emotional journey I guess?

But yes, the pains and struggles the character goes through in her way to discovering what it is to want to live again is the focal point of the story. It is about a life that is black but it suddenly turns grey with the light these other characters shine on her.

Why is labeling so hard? Don't give me so many Genres to choose from limit me!!! I need limitations! *prays*

Oh, I have the main genre selected as romance.

 

[Ellieporter]

If it has sex then it is smut. But then again, I am a smut writer lmao

 

[Aaqil]

I need limitations! *prays*

what a strange thing to pray for

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

If it has sex then it is smut. But then again, I am a smut writer lmao

Thank you! I was wondering if it had to be all sex or just some sex to be smut lol.

what a strange thing to pray for

Well, I might as well pray for things I can actually get. Like now... I will pray now for that cookie.

 

[Snusmumriken]

Smut is graphic and/or frequent sex. Otherwise, it is adult. That is a conclusion I've come to myself.

Mature is for mature audiences (as in not YA) but that doesn't mean there is needs to be sex or gore - it's more about having "grownup" topics in the plot.

You can always limit yourself and don't fill only the pertinent tags. Stuff that defines your story or stuff that you feel like readers would be angry for realising it is in your story halfway through the book.

 

[Aaqil]

Thank you! I was wondering if it had to be all sex or just some sex to be smut lol.


Well, I might as well pray for things I can actually get. Like now... I will pray now for that cookie.

but you can't get this cookie, as such, you are praying for something you can't have

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

Smut is graphic and/or frequent sex. Otherwise, it is adult. That is a conclusion I've come to myself.

Mature is for mature audiences (as in not YA) but that doesn't mean there is needs to be sex or gore - it's more about having "grownup" topics in the plot.

You can always limit yourself and don't fill only the pertinent tags. Stuff that defines your story or stuff that you feel like readers would be angry for realising it is in your story halfway through the book.

I like your advice, the only things is that I feel like the tags I picked do define my story, but what if am wrong or misunderstood the genre itself.

Example:
After chapter 6 the steamy train goes off and comes by often, but it isn't like chapters are fully dedicated to those moments.
So then is it smut if there is sex I would say semi graphic not full blown porno but often found?

Abstract things confuse me because for different people it means different things.

For me smut meant sex well up till now that I am confused about it. Lol.

I think my brain is just going for a loop. Like the what ifs are killing it. Maybe I should trust myself.


The adult and mature tags confuse me too. But I think I understand a bit more what mature and adult is because of you! Thank you!

but you can't get this cookie, as such, you are praying for something you can't have

But, but sharing is caring!

 

[Aaqil]

But, but sharing is caring!

And i don't care!

I like your advice, the only things is that I feel like the tags I picked do define my story, but what if am wrong or misunderstood the genre itself.

Example:
After chapter 6 the steamy train goes off and comes by often, but it isn't like chapters are fully dedicated to those moments.
So then is it smut if there is sex I would say semi graphic not full blown porno but often found?

Abstract things confuse me because for different people it means different things.

For me smut meant sex well up till now that I am confused about it. Lol.

I think my brain is just going for a loop. Like the what ifs are killing it. Maybe I should trust myself.


The adult and mature tags confuse me too. But I think I understand a bit more what mature and adult is because of you! Thank you!

But, but sharing is caring!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Well, I might as well pray for things I can actually get. Like now... I will pray now for that cookie.

Wish granted. Here's your browser cookie. ???

Don't worry, there's always more. Take as many as you want. ;)
For some ideas

Genre Explanations (Unofficial)

After various complaints from authors that the Genres used by Scribble Hub are hard to understand, I decided to create a guide to them. As this guide is the work of one singular user and is not made in association with Tony, it's unofficial. The following explanations were written using Novel...

forum.scribblehub.com

What’s the difference between the mature and adult tags.

Not sure what to say other than the title so I guess I’ll just leave it at that.

forum.scribblehub.com

Is there a difference between Dark and Horror?

I don't want to get confused like how I thought Slice of Life was equated to Modern/Contemporary. So just wanted to see if there's a difference or is it basically same genre? I feel dark is one less level down than horror. Idk since I'm not too sure though.

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

Wish granted. Here's your browser cookie. ???

Don't worry, there's always more. Take as many as you want. ;)

I can always count on Sensei!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

I can always count on Sensei!

Unfortunately, sensei has a habit of burning cookies while baking.
Uh...good thing I got the pill that removes all toxins...hehe...?
Not that sensei bakes dangerous cookies or anything...

 

[Aaqil]

Unfortunately, sensei has a habit of burning cookies while baking.
Uh...good thing I got the pill that removes all toxins...hehe...?
Not that sensei bakes dangerous cookies or anything...

hmm, have you just given them poisonous cookies!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

hmm, have you just given them poisonous cookies!

Relax. It has magic beans. Good for your health and helps you grow. Jack says its true.
I just made them a tad bit healthier...

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

Unfortunately, sensei has a habit of burning cookies while baking.
Uh...good thing I got the pill that removes all toxins...hehe...?
Not that sensei bakes dangerous cookies or anything...

Sometimes crispy cookies are the best!

hmm, have you just given them poisonous cookies!

Sensei would never try to poison me! Heresy!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Sometimes crispy cookies are the best!

indeed. crisp and crunch.

 

[Aaqil]

Relax. It has magic beans. Good for your health and helps you grow. Jack says its true.

O god, you gave them the beans that grow to become a gigantic beanstalk!
RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!

 

[KoyukiMegumi]

O god, you gave them the beans that grow to become a gigantic beanstalk!
RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!

 

[Deleted member 45782]

O god, you gave them the beans that grow to become a gigantic beanstalk!
RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!

Call dibs on the toilet first!