New Year, New You: Redefine Your Writing by Experimenting with These Writing Styles.

By Tierre-Lee Curtis

The new year brings more than a sore head and a high power bill during this sweltering festive season. For many, it is a catalyst, a time of rebirth and redefining yourself. Where some will fall into the same half-hearted resolutions they’ve subscribed to in years gone past, make yours count. Reevaluating and adapting your writing habits can be done at any stage, so take this as your sign to make 2025 the year for something different.

Below, we will explore some up-and-coming trends and techniques you can expect to see a lot more of in the new year. With any luck, you’ll find something that sparks your inspiration and stretches those creative muscles.

All Things Romance:
Whether it’s romantic comedy, fantasy, or even thriller, the romance genre has been climbing in popularity all year long. Many of us felt the social element of our lives took a hard hit during the COVID-19 outbreak, and a way of dealing with this loneliness is by reading. Whether you’re a knight-in-shining-armour romantic or someone who prefers things a little spicier, the universal want for love is something everyone can explore. 

If you have yet to explore this genre, check out New York Times: Best Romance Books 2024.

Writing Challenges:
Some people are more competitive-driven than others, so writing competitions or challenges may be exactly what you’ve been missing! Certain companies, like Queensland Writers Centre, offer monthly competitions, while others offer competitions on a much larger scale. Writing WA offers various competitions across many genres and formats. For a writing challenge, Writers Digest is holding a prompt-based 10-day challenge you can check out.

Cozy Reading:
Similarly to the previously mentioned romantic genre, cozy reading (gaming and aesthetic) has seen a steady rise over the last few years. Low stakes and comforting themes merge to allow the reader to ease into a relaxing world, something many struggle to achieve in the current social climate. The one rule of a cozy story? It has to have a happy ending – I know, hard life, right?

To check out what others are reading, check out Goodread’s: Popular Cozy Fiction Books.

Whatever you decide to explore, make this year the year you do something different.