Some writers stay in one lane. They build a career around a single genre—fantasy, thriller, historical fiction—and master it. I respect that, but it’s not how my brain works. Right now, I’m juggling two books in completely different genres: My untitled fantasy adventure novel, and a Cold War-era thriller about a Soviet test pilot’s defection. One involves magic, an ancient world, and a reluctant hero. The other is grounded in real history, espionage, and military strategy.

So, how do you balance writing two vastly different books at the same time? Turns out, there’s more overlap than you’d think.

1. World-Building: Creating vs. Reconstructing

Fantasy is all about building a world from the ground up. In fantasy novel, every piece—geography, factions, magic, history—has to be carefully crafted to feel authentic. Readers need to believe this world exists, even though it’s entirely fictional.

Historical thrillers, on the other hand, require reconstructing a world that already existed. The Cold War thriller I’m working on is set in the late 1980s, meaning everything from military technology to government operations has to be accurate. The challenge isn’t making things up—it’s making sure the real-world details serve the story without overwhelming it.

Fantasy lets me build from scratch, while historical fiction forces me to find the right balance between fact and fiction. In both cases, the key is immersion—making the reader feel like they’re there, whether it’s in a medieval-inspired fantasy world or inside a Soviet airbase.

2. The Role of Mystery and Discovery

Both books rely on mystery, but they approach it differently.

• In my fantasy novel, Kevin is an outsider thrown into an unfamiliar world. The mystery comes from uncovering how this world works—its magic, its conflicts, and the true purpose of the artifact he’s connected to.
• In the Cold War thriller, the mystery is more grounded. A Soviet test pilot is planning to defect, but his intentions, the aircraft’s secrets, and the geopolitical stakes all add layers of suspense.

Both stories thrive on the unknown—characters learning, adapting, and making decisions with incomplete information. Whether it’s a fantasy hero navigating an unfamiliar land or an intelligence officer deciphering enemy movements, the tension comes from what they don’t know.

3. Pacing: The Journey vs. The Chase

Fantasy stories tend to be more of a slow burn. The journey matters, not just in terms of plot but for character development and world-building. In my fantasy novel, the characters are traveling across an island, learning about the world as they go. The pacing allows for growth, alliances, and deeper relationships to form.

The Cold War thriller, on the other hand, is about momentum. A defection isn’t a drawn-out adventure—it’s a high-stakes, minute-to-minute operation. If the Soviet pilot hesitates, he’s dead. If the American intelligence officer misreads the situation, an international crisis unfolds. The pacing is tight, the stakes are immediate, and every decision has consequences.

Balancing these two styles has been interesting. Writing fantasy reminds me to let moments breathe. Writing a thriller forces me to cut the fat and keep things moving. Each book strengthens my writing for the other.

4. Heroes Shaped by Their Worlds

Despite the genre differences, my main characters—Kevin and Benjamin Carter in the Cold War thriller—share one core trait: They’re both thrown into situations they aren’t fully prepared for, and they have to adapt.

• Kevin suddenly finds himself in a world that plays by different rules. His skills don’t immediately translate, and his growth is tied to how well he can learn and navigate this new reality.
• Benjamin Carter is an experienced intelligence officer, but he’s used to analyzing from a distance. When he gets pulled into the action, he has to rely on instincts instead of reports. His survival depends on making the right calls in real-time.

Both stories follow protagonists who are out of their element and forced to grow fast. That’s what makes them compelling—not their existing skills, but how they evolve when faced with the unknown.

Why Write Both?

Some people might wonder why I don’t just stick to one genre. The truth is, I enjoy both for different reasons (and I have friends and family and an annoying sister who enjoy the fantasy world and I want them to actually read my books.) Fantasy lets me be creative without constraints, shaping an entire world from nothing. Historical thrillers keep me grounded in reality, requiring research, accuracy, and a different kind of discipline. Writing both means I never get bored—if I hit a wall in one, I can switch to the other and come back with fresh eyes.

If you’re a writer thinking about branching into another genre, do it. The skills transfer in ways you wouldn’t expect, and the challenge of shifting between different styles makes you a stronger storyteller.

And if you’re a reader who loves either (or both) of these genres, stay tuned—there’s plenty coming your way.