To change my genre or not to change my genre! By Madelyn Hill

 

As a writer, I’ve always been drawn to research—the thrill of discovering forgotten details, the way a single historical fact can ignite an entire plot. History has always felt like a living thing to me, breathing color and texture into the stories I create. Melding real historical elements with the characters who wander into my imagination has long been my favorite part of writing. It’s where my voice found its home.

But sometimes characters arrive who don’t belong in the centuries they usually inhabit.

 

What happens when a historical writer feels called to create something new?

A few years ago, I started hearing a different kind of whisper that
grew into a shout—not from the rugged Highlands or Highlanders or centuries-old castles, but from characters who didn’t belong in any century I’d written before. Their stories were modern, sharp-edged, a little messy, and full of potential. I tried to push them aside, force myself to continue working on my latest Scottish historical, but they stayed. They grew louder. And eventually, I realized I wasn’t just dabbling in a new idea—I was shifting genres entirely.

That realization brought equal parts excitement and fear. I wondered how readers would respond. Some have followed me from book to book because they connect with my voice, not just my settings, and I’m grateful for that. Others adore historical romance specifically, and I understand the hesitation: “Will this feel the same? Will the magic still be there?”

 

The honest answer is yes—and no.

The backdrop may change, but the heart of my storytelling hasn’t. I still build characters who feel deeply and love fiercely. I still chase emotional truth, tension, and connection. I still obsess over details—just not the kind found in 17th-century archives.

And I also know this; shifting genres doesn’t mean leaving readers behind. Some will continue the journey. Some may pause and wait. And some new readers will discover me for the very first time.

Creative growth is a sign of a living writer. Stories call to us from where they exist, whether rooted in history or sparked by the present. My joy is simply to follow.

 

I am wrapping up my Endeavor series and can't wait to get it readers.  

Here's a quick pitch - Three sisters. One curse. A town full of magic. The series is about choosing love even when fate—and fear—say run.

p.s. I'm not giving up on my Highlanders! Their story will be written.