Does understanding story structure as a reader take away from the fun of reading?

I had an interesting discussion with a work colleague this week about writing and starting to understand the structure of particular genres.

And he asked if it does not take away the joy of reading / watching movies when you know the rules.

I’m noticing these rules as I try to understand how to write something and edit a story. But for me, it does not take away from the joy of reading. This may be because this skill is still relatively new and feels like a superpower.

But there is also the aspect that when you read a lot, you start to understand the contracts specific genres follow. And I read certain genres because I like the rules they follow. It gives you some familiarity when diving into a new world.

And sometimes, you read something, and at some point, you get surprised by a twist that the author pulled off by not following a rule or combining it with something unexpected. And I, myself as a reader, live for these moments. These are the books and stories you still think about long after you have finished them. Which, at some point, you will reread. And recommend to others to read as well.

• /writing