I write mainly speculative fiction (scifi, fantasy, horror). I try to avoid common tropes (no mopey vampires from me!) or at least endeavor to put an original spin on them (I've done winged zombies-not as dorky as it sounds but that should give you a clue about where my mind lingers). I try to read widely and self-educate, and try to use that to bring something new to the table. I want to entertain, but I want to eventually do it as brilliantly as I can.
I think characters come first, so I don't do a lot of plotting. I like to think of a situation, plop some people in it (ideally with a bit of conflict between them or in them) and watch them react and evolve. It's a weird, natural way to write, and it's more like I'm observing an experiment than directing it. I don't usually know how it's going to end when I begin the story, so hopefully that translates to the reader being surprised/shocked and satisfied by the result.