Change things up.
Writers can write whatever they choose, and that is their prerogative. I write whatever I want, after all. That said, writers who elect to write the same thing repeatedly aren’t doing themselves any favors. Eventually, writers must break out of their boxes; otherwise, they will never know their capabilities.
It’s disheartening to see authors churning out the same storylines year after year. Even if I’m not a fan of Stephen King’s work, I appreciate his ability to diversify his narratives. On the other hand, authors like Lee Child, who stick to a single storyline, can become predictable and monotonous. Variety is the spice of writing, after all!
Choosing a genre and establishing a “brand” is common in modern publishing. However, even within a genre, there are endless possibilities to explore. A writer open to expanding their horizons will find these variations intriguing and rewarding, leading to a more diverse and engaging body of work.
I worked with James Patterson, and whatever you might think of the man as a fiction factory, you have to give him this: he changes things up. While he basically “writes” nothing but thrillers, those thrillers are wildly different, and even the series books don’t read like carbon copies of each other. He’s an endless font of ideas and isn’t confined to a formula he repeats every time he wants a bestseller.
So, if you’re the kind of writer who dislikes stepping out of your comfort zone, try it. You may like what you discover.