I often receive emails from writers who feel they’ve hit a genre decision roadblock: memoir, fiction, memoir/self-help hybrid, effectively saying, “Help! I don’t know what my book genre should be anymore.”

In Maria DiElsi’s case, the retired art historian has been working hard on her literary memoir, including receiving consistent feedback from a savvy group of writers. Her memoir explores her experiences of a sense of déjà vu connected to past lives. She also wants to share lucid dream experiences that tie her to the past.

She wrote, “I thought if I wrote a memoir, I’d be able to encourage others to explore these phenomena. Some readers have struggled with the idea of past life experiences hinted at by déjà vu or my lucid dreaming. So I have relented, which doesn’t make me happy, and have started rewriting my introduction/ prologue/ memoir and cloaking it in the guise of fiction. ”

Gut vs. Book Critique Group vs. Beta Readers

Clearly, turning the book into fiction had taken the joy out of her experience, which seemed to be a clear enough indication that switching to fiction was not the right path for her.

Who were these beta readers anyway? Well, they might not even be called beta readers. They were her book critique group—strong writers and excellent with feedback on writing and style, but were they her target audience?

Your critique group is not necessarily your target audience. While past lives and lucid dreams might be outside the group’s comfort zone, this book was clearly for people who are curious about those things. Perhaps some share similar experiences. Some have read about past lives and/or lucid dreams and wish to know more (or even tap into such knowledge).

Your beta readers should be people in your target market. So, test this with your target audience, not your critique group, unless they are that audience.

Ask Your Creative Muse to Help Clarify Genre Decisions

I am a big fan of asking the creative Muse for guidance, so I suggested Maria listen to my free Meet-Your-Muse guided visualization and ask her Muse what genre would best serve her book.

She got back to me the next day with the response she’s permitted me to share with you:

“Took your advice—meditation and connecting with my spirit guide/muse is familiar to me. As soon as I started I was right there where I’ve been before, in the woods at the edge of a meadow standing at the foot of one of my grandpop trees, an ancient white pine—literally. This describes a corner of a piece of land where my gardens grow and my partner and I are building a house, each of us hammer-in-hand. Here is what I wrote after the meditation:

“Reciprocity: Sitting under the ancient white pine, my Muse, I look up and my spirit rises along the trunk and out in all directions, in every direction flowing out from the tips of every pine needle and flowing back to me. I’m receiving energy and creative guidance. I put out both hands, palms facing the sky, asking, “Memoir or fiction?” The hands of my Muse touched both hands and replied, ‘Memoir, and you’re not finished writing.’

“…Many thanks for reminding me that my spirit guide is always there for me, and, yes, I am so grateful for the well of creativity that resides in my spirit.”

Other Factors in Genre Decision

Of course, a variety of factors can influence your genre decision:

1. Your vision for how you’ll reach readers
2. Your goals for book sales
3. Various aspects of your vision and goals for the impact of your book—what it will do in your world, for your business, etc.
4. Whether you would like more freedom than nonfiction affords: consider what genre the book lends itself to.
5. Whether you feel strongly about trying a traditional book deal
6. What kind of platform you have
7. What type of readers you currently reach

You might be able to add some bullet points to what I’ve listed. Just be clear that when you consider feedback from others, those people are part of your target market before changing your genre based on their advice or reaction. Again, here’s where your Muse (or a coach) can help you gain clarity.

If you’re curious about past lives and lucid dreaming, check out Maria’s website, Radiant Realm.