What Genre Writers Understand That Every Writer Should

One of the biggest misconceptions about storytelling is that genre comes first.

Mystery. Romance. Horror. Fantasy. Historical fiction.

But according to Rebecca Sonnenshine, that’s exactly backward.

In this conversation with Story Summit’s Brian Landwehr and Bailey Patterson, Rebecca—whose credits include, Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot, The Boys, Archive 81, The Housemaid, and The Vampire Diaries—shares why great genre writing isn’t defined by monsters, mysteries, or sprawling prairie landscapes. It’s defined by authentic characters and immersive worlds that make audiences forget they’re experiencing fiction.

Whether she's writing science fiction, horror, or a story set in the 1800s, her goal is to remove every barrier between the audience and the characters until the story feels like it's about us—right here, right now.

Along the way, she reflects on the books that inspired her to become a writer at age five, the unexpected education she received reading screenplay coverage, the fast-paced lessons of television writers’ rooms, and what it really takes to adapt beloved stories for the screen.

Whether you’re writing literary fiction, memoir, fantasy, or screenplays, Rebecca offers a refreshing reminder that the setting may change, but the heart of every unforgettable story is the same: emotionally honest characters navigating meaningful stakes.

In this short preview of the full conversation, Bailey asks how Rebecca brought genre tension to Netflix's Little House on the Prairie. Her answer is one every new writer should hear—and every experienced writer will appreciate being reminded of.

Listen to the full interview below:

StorySummit.us: Living to Write Featuring Rebecca Sonnenshine

Apple Podcast: Living to Write featuring Rebecca Sonnenshine

Spotify: Living to Write featuring Rebecca Sonnenshine

Click here for more about Rebecca Sonnenshine and her work

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