Fiction Writing I

Separating Fact From Fiction

About this Article

Are you looking to write fiction? Writing stories can be an exciting and creative way to express yourself, but it can also be daunting. Writing fiction requires a unique approach and handling the many components of story-telling can be tricky. It’s important to separate the facts. This article will provide you with all the information you need to demystify the process and help you craft a captivating story.

NOTE: Please feel free to skip around and read just the sections that apply to your current or upcoming projects.

Creating a Character

Character creation is a critical part of the fiction writing process. It’s not enough to just come up with a stereotypical protagonist and antagonist. You want to create characters with depth, nuance, and complexity. With character creation, the best way to start is by taking a step back and carefully crafting realistic characters your readers can relate to. When writing a character, consider their motivations, backstory, and unique personality traits. Think about what makes them tick - what drives them and motivates them to action? What may have led them to the choices they’ve made in their life? Answering these questions can help you craft a more 3-dimensional character. Think about the environment in which your character will exist. Consider their physical environment, the climate, their culture, and the general attitude of the surrounding people. These elements work together to create a setting for your character that can influence their decisions and actions. Creating a character’s physical appearance can also be a helpful way to bring them to life. Consider their age, hairstyle, clothing, facial features, height, and mannerisms. Visualizing these details can help you better understand your character’s inner motivations.

Finally, it’s important to consider the dialogue you’ll use when writing a character. Think about their speaking style, the type of language they’ll use, and how they’ll interact with other characters. This can help to bring your character to life and make them more believable. Creating a compelling, believable character is key to writing a successful piece of fiction. Taking the time to develop your characters can help to make your stories more meaningful and engaging for your readers.

Developing Character Traits

In developing your characters’ traits, you should think of each character as an individual with his or her own unique set of traits. Consider the qualities and characteristics that make them who they are. Give your characters certain likes, dislikes, hobbies, fears, and quirks to make them real and believable. It is also helpful to consider the life they have led, what experiences they have had, and their beliefs and values. With these elements in mind, you can create characters that jump off the page and bring your story to life.

Creating Backstories

Creating backstories for characters and settings can often be one of the most difficult aspects of fiction writing. Although authors often use elements from their own personal experience when creating characters, the real challenge lies in taking the limited facts from a character’s life and turning them into an engaging and believable backstory. 

One of the most important things to remember when creating a character’s backstory is that it should be natural and gradual. It is usually helpful to start with the basics, such as a physical description and any family history that is known. From there, consider the following elements when forming a backstory: 

01 | Previous experiences: This is a great way to give readers insight into how a character became who they are today and why they might make certain decisions or behave in certain ways.

02 | Personality and beliefs: Every character has unique experiences, which shape their beliefs and values. Knowing what they believe in, how they act in stressful situations, and how they react to different people are important aspects of creating a believable and engaging backstory. 

03 | Traumatic events: Traumatic experiences often have a profound impact on a character’s behavior, so it is important to consider what kind of trauma they may have gone through.

04 | Goals and aspirations: A person’s motivations and aspirations are likely to shape their actions and decisions. Thinking about their dreams, goals, and motivations can go a long way in forming a compelling backstory. 

In creating a backstory for a setting, you can use a lot of the same principles. In particular, it is important to consider the area’s history, as well as any political or social events that may have shaped the region. It's helpful to consider the climate, geography, natural resources, and cultural practices of an area when forming its backstory. 

Creating backstories can be a difficult aspect of fiction writing, but when done well, they can truly make a story come alive. By considering the various elements outlined above, authors can create believable and engaging backstories for both characters and settings.

Determining Character Goals

With writing compelling fiction, one of the most important elements is determining your character's goals. Goals propel your characters forward and can create conflict and drama within the story. A character without goals and motivations will feel flat and won't draw readers in.

When determining your character's goal, think about the greater purpose of their story and the journey that they will go on. Are they trying to save the world, escape a trapped situation, or find their way back home? This will serve as your character's pathway to their final destination, and you can then craft smaller goals along the way. Think of it as a larger goal that you can break down into achievable steps and make sure your character's motivation is consistent throughout the story.

Think about the obstacles and challenges your character will face throughout the story, and make sure that their goals are attainable and realistic. If the stakes are too low, you take away your character’s motivation to keep going. If the stakes are too high, the task can become overwhelming. You need to make sure that their goals are clear and specific to their narrative so that readers understand why your character is making their journey.

Finally, consider how your character's goals change throughout the story. A character should grow and develop as the story unfolds, so make sure their goals reflect this. Your character's goals should evolve to reflect the obstacles they faced and how they changed throughout their journey.

By taking the time to determine your character's goals, you'll be able to craft a compelling story filled with goals and obstacles that draw readers in. Keep in mind that your character's goals should be consistent with their narrative and should reflect their growth and development. Using these tips, you'll be able to create an engaging and believable story that's sure to capture the attention of your readers.

Building a Plot

The best way to build a plot is to take the time to brainstorm. Start by asking yourself questions about the world or characters in your story. What is the major conflict? Are there obstacles the characters face and if so, how will they overcome them? What is the central theme of the plot? After you have a general idea of the plot, you can flesh it out and create the roadmap for the story.

Once you have the main plot points mapped out, think about plot structure. How will the plot progress? Will the action rise, leading to a climax, or will the plot twist and turn? Thinking through your plot structure will help you keep the momentum of the plot going and keep readers engaged.

When building a plot, it's also important to consider the story's subplots. Subplots are smaller plotlines that run alongside the main plot, helping to add depth and complexity to the story. Think about how the subplots can work to further the main plot as well as introduce new characters and conflicts.

Finally, when building a plot, include moments of surprise. These might be plot twists or revelations that the reader didn't see coming. These moments can help to keep readers on the edge of their seat and can even help to further the story.

Taking the time to plan your story will help it be a success. With the right plot structure, subplots, and moments of surprise, you can create a story that will keep readers engaged and wanting more.

Exploring Conflict and Resolution

Exploring conflict and resolution is an integral part of writing fiction. Conflict is the tension created between two or more forces, while resolution is the way a story ends because of that tension. It is what drives the story forward and makes it enjoyable and exciting for readers. Conflict can be external or internal. External conflict is when a character has to face a problem that is outside of themselves, such as a natural disaster, a society-wide problem, or a confrontation with another character. Internal conflict is when a character has to face their own doubts and fears or make a tough decision. Internal conflict often involves moral dilemmas and can be just as intriguing to readers as external conflict. Resolution is the outcome that ends the story. It can be happy, sad, or even ambiguous, depending on the story's tone and the characters' journeys. It is the last piece of the puzzle that brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. When writing an effective conflict and resolution scene, it is important to consider the characters' motivations and goals. Why are they fighting? What do they want to achieve? What is their biggest fear? It is also important to consider the stakes of the conflict. What is the worst outcome of the conflict and why will it affect the characters? You can write conflict and resolution scenes in different ways. A story may have a single conflict and resolution scene, or the conflict may span multiple scenes and lead to multiple resolutions. The key is to create a scene that keeps readers engaged and builds tension and suspense until the story's resolution. Ultimately, conflict and resolution are an essential part of any story, and it is important for writers to explore and understand the dynamics of conflict and resolution in order to craft an effective and engaging story. 

Creating a Timeline

Creating a timeline is an essential part of fiction writing. It's important to establish a timeline of events so your readers can understand the story, follow the progression of the story, and make sense of the characters and their actions. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you create an effective timeline:

01 | Start with the main event or conflict. This is usually the climax or turning point of the story, and will provide the basis for your timeline. It can also give you an anchor from which you can build the other events of the story.

02 | Establish a timeline for your characters. Determine when you introduce a character, what events he or she has experienced in the past, and how these events will affect the story. This will help you determine how the character will react or respond to future events.

03 | Create a timeline for the setting. Establish when and where the story is taking place. You can do this by researching the setting and determining when certain events took place. This will help you establish a time for your story and shape the events that take place in the story.

04 | Fill in the gaps. Once you have established the general events and timeline, you can then fill in the gaps with smaller details and events. This will help strengthen your timeline and make the story more believable.

05 | Be flexible. As you continue to write your story and flesh out the details, it may tempt you to adjust the timeline. This is normal, and your story may need some reshaping and rearranging. Just remember to be flexible and open to making some changes as you go.

The timeline is an essential element of fiction writing. By taking the time to create a basic timeline and then filling in the details, you will ensure your story follows a logical sequence and is consistent with the setting, characters, and events in your story.

Using Subplots

Using subplots in fiction writing is a great way to keep your readers engaged and your story moving. Subplots are often used to provide additional information, introduce new characters, and provide opportunities for character development. In literature, subplots can supplement or contrast a major plot line. A subplot is a story within a story. It can be a separate story line with its own beginning, middle and end, or it can be a smaller plot line, which acts as a bridge between two main plot points. As with all good fiction writing, you must carefully plan subplots and to ensure the storyline makes sense and does not detract from the main plot. The first step in effectively using subplots is to decide what type of subplot will best fit your story. Do you want a story that stands on its own, or one that ties in to the main plot? Once you’ve decided what kind of subplot you want to use, you’ll need to create engaging characters. Draw on your personal experiences or do some research to flesh out your characters and make them believable. To make your subplot believable, you must understand the motivations of the characters and how they interact with each other.

Your next step is to map out your subplot. Create a timeline and make sure that each event in the subplot relates back to the main plot. This will ensure the reader can follow the story easily. As with all good fiction writing, a clear timeline and connection to the main plot is vital to keeping your reader engaged.

With writing your subplot, remember to keep it concise and focused. The best subplots are those that are logical and raise questions the reader is then eager to have answered. Make sure your ending wraps up any loose ends and provides resolution.

Finally, make sure your subplot is well-crafted and contributes to the overall story. A well-executed subplot can add depth to your story and provide your readers with an unforgettable experience.

Fleshing Out the Story Details

It's no secret that fiction writing requires a deft hand. After all, this is the realm of storytelling, where your characters live and breathe, and your plot unfolds bit by bit. But if you want to create a compelling story world, you'll need to add depth and details to flesh out your story.

To do this effectively, it's important to remember the key difference between fact and fiction - fact is verifiable truth, while fiction is an illusion of reality, where you can exaggerate facts and events to create a richer story.

Let's look at some ways you can use facts and fiction to bring your story alive and create a believable, vivid setting.

• Decide which facts to include. If the story you are telling is based on a true event or person, then to help make things more believable, include the facts of the actual story. Otherwise, you can use your imagination to come up with details that help make your story come alive. Think about how your setting might look, smell, or feel in your story. Describe the characters in fine detail - their looks, mannerisms, and even their quirks.

• Use your imagination to create a story world that contains both real and fictional elements. This way, you'll be able to bring your readers deeper into the story, immersing them in your story's world. You can use real-world facts to establish a baseline, and then add in your own creative details to give the story a unique twist.

• Don't forget to have a bit of fun. Play with exaggerations, add unexpected twists and turns, and allow your readers to experience a sense of surprise and excitement. This is how you create a truly memorable story - a tale where readers can't help but keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

By giving careful thought to the facts you include and the details you build into your story, you'll be able to create a unique, vivid world that enthralls and captivates your readers.

Introducing Setting and Atmosphere

To bring your stories alive, ensure you carefully craft the setting and atmosphere. As the author, you have the power to create a world and transport your readers to that world. Make sure your characters, their actions, and the environment they inhabit come to life on the page. 

Atmosphere is just as important as setting. You want your readers to experience the atmosphere in their own minds as they read your work. To create atmosphere, think about the emotions and feelings you want readers to have when they read your story. Do you want fear, joy, sadness, or something else? You also need to consider what sensory information you provide. Are there particular scents, sounds, temperatures, etc.? 

Every piece of fiction should include details about its setting and atmosphere. You should weave these details throughout the story. Think about elements such as the time of day, season, geographic location, and even weather. The more detail you provide, the more real the world you’ve created will feel. 

You should think about what elements of culture and history you can incorporate. If your story takes place in a fictional city, think about what people do there and what makes it special. Maybe it’s a city known for its art, or its food, or its vibrant music scene. These kinds of details can be helpful when crafting an atmosphere and setting.

Finally, use dialogue to help create atmosphere. Dialogue and description go hand in hand. When your characters are speaking, make sure their dialogue reflects the atmosphere of the story. Are they speaking in a hushed whisper or shouting in the streets? Be sure to include dialogue that reflects the characters’ emotions and feelings and that helps build the atmosphere. 

By adding these details to your story, you can draw readers in and create a world that will captivate them. Pay close attention to the sensory details and cultural elements that you incorporate, as well as the dialogue you use. With enough thought and care, you can bring your story to life.

Including Descriptive Elements

It can be tricky to separate fact from fiction. This is especially true for creating characters or creating settings. It's easy to let your imagination take the reins, but it's important to ground your story in reality in order to create a credible, believable world for readers.

In creating believable settings, include descriptive elements that allow your reader to visualize the scene in their mind with little effort on their part. Whether it's a tropical beach, a bustling city street, or a rustic mountain retreat, it's important that you focus on the smaller details to make your setting come alive. Consider the weather, the landscape, the architecture, the sounds and smells - these elements can help your reader visualize and become immersed in your story.

Just as important as setting is the characters that populate it. Creating characters that feel real is essential to a successful story. Consider the characters' backstory, motivations, and emotions - all of which you should ground in realism. Even though your story is fiction, the characters should feel like real people and should have believable motivations for their actions.

It's also important to consider how the characters interact with each other. Are they friendly or hostile? How do they communicate with each other - through spoken dialogue or through inner thoughts? Pay attention to minor details like this to make your characters feel three-dimensional and real.

Including descriptive elements and realistic characters is essential to writing fiction successfully. Taking the time to consider setting and characters helps create believability, which helps to create a compelling and engaging story.

Incorporating Dialogue

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools a fiction writer can use. Not only does it add realism to your writing, but it can also help propel the story and build tension. When used correctly, dialog can also be an effective way to incorporate humor, mystery, or even heartwarming emotion into your story.

However, there are some rules of thumb to keep in mind when incorporating dialogue into your story. First, dialog should sound natural and realistic. It should flow like an actual conversation, without sounding too stiff or too unnatural. Avoid using long, clunky sentences, and instead opt for shorter phrases that sound more like the way people really talk.

It is also important to remember to include physical descriptions when writing dialog. Every time someone speaks, it is important to include details like facial expressions, gestures, or body language. This will help flesh out the characters and bring the conversation to life. Avoid using clichés as much as possible. Readers view clichés as lazy writing, and they can make your dialogue sound dull and unoriginal. Instead, try to come up with unique and original conversations that still stay true to the character’s personality.

Finally, be sure to use dialogue to reveal character’s motivations and inner thoughts. This is an effective way to move the plot forward and add depth to your story. As with any other writing technique, practice makes perfect. The more you work with dialogue, the better you will become at incorporating it into your own stories. Good luck!

Conclusion:

Fiction writing comprises layers of creativity, imagination, and invention. Aspiring authors can take inspiration from their own life experiences and use it to create a unique world of characters, themes and settings. By understanding the mechanics of the craft and researching techniques for developing characters and plot lines, authors can craft compelling stories that draw readers in and keep them engaged. With practice and patience, anyone can create a work of fiction that stands out from the rest. By writing with a conversational tone and blending fact with fiction, authors can create a captivating work of art.