WHAT
IS FICTION?
—It
is writing or narrating about imaginary people and happenings in
novels, short stories, tales, fables and other prose.
Anyone
can create fiction! Yes,
anyone. Most fiction is nurtured in dreams or imaginary
thoughts. In some cases,
it’s inspired by tearing the fabric of a truth into shreds and selecting
a thread to create a best-selling story.
But,
there are other ingredients that are needed to spring forth a successful
writer. A fiction writer needs TALENT (either
by nature, which is rare, or by education), PERSEVERANCE (that
part of you that never quits) and LUCK (Webster defines it
as, that which seems to happen or come to one by chance).
And, by golly, it really takes all three of them to succeed!
The
basic fundamental tools a good fiction writer must possess are imagination
for plot creation, avid character description, flexible dialogue
with tone and the ability to define the market for his work.
A
story must have a beginning, middle and an ending.
Yes, I know that sounds quite simple.
Surprise! A lot of
novice writers don’t know where to begin telling a story, or create
a juicy or exciting middle, and an ending that leaves a reader satisfied
and wanting to read their next novel.
A
BEGINNING must lure the reader to want to keep reading
each page and mentally caress the words, not shuffle pages to get
to the part that the title professed the book to be about.
A
suspenseful beginning can pave the road to curiosity.
This will not only help to lure the reader into turning pages,
it can also be the “hook” it takes to get an agent. This hook can
also aid the agent to convince a publisher to buy the novel.
When
a reader’s curiosity is raised, it’s like a food junkie enjoying
a good meal; he/she can’t stop until it’s all gone.
One of the ways to raise the curiosity of a reader is through
an early introduction of the main character that has a possible
flaw in their appearance or a character weakness.
Something they want to overcome.
This can create an emotional connection on the reader’s part
to keep turning the pages to find the outcome.
THE
MIDDLE should be expressing some challenges or setbacks
to deepen the reader’s emotion.
Sometimes it can be a hidden problem that suddenly appears
or a twist in the plot. It
should be your written direction to where you wish to lead the reader.
Whatever method is chosen, it should bring more intrigue
into the story to further excite the reader’s concern as to what
is going to happen next.
THE
ENDING is where the story takes on a glow in its summation.
Too many novels fall short and leave the reader empty at
the end. Some common drawbacks
are: hurried endings--don’t
write the ending in one or two paragraphs; give the reader something
to remember and wish there were more pages, and, loose ends-- be
sure you’ve tie together all the threads to the story or plot. The ending answers all questions and resolves
any conflicts or incidents that were placed into the story.
HERE
ARE A FEW HELPFUL SUGGESTION FOR CRAFTING
A STORY:
- Select a fiction topic or subject carefully.
Research is the key to knowledge of a subject, especially,
if trying to coax fiction out of a legend or fable.
- Create interesting and unique characters.
Take the time to imagine a character.
Sometimes one can find a person who fits; maybe it’s a
friend or acquaintance. Study their characteristics, habits, speaking
structure, hobbies, dress, etc.
These elements of a person will assist in the creation
of a protagonist or subordinating characters in a story.
- A story’s plot needs to be carefully thought
out. Most writers contend
that there are three basic patterns of plots: the “happy ending”, the “unhappy ending”
and the “literary” plot. It
isn’t meant here to imply that there aren’t many other basic plots.
- When a writer’s creative juices kick-in, he/she
should write and keep writing without worrying about
editing, just let it flow and clean it up later.
It
is possible in fiction for a writer to find that the end can be
just the beginning and present a joy that projects the possibilities
of creating a new drama, just waiting to leap upon the pages of
another novel.
When
it comes to fiction writing, it has been said, “There is no reality
except the one contained within us.”
That is why so many people enjoy losing themselves in the
pages of fiction, whether it is a romance novel or a fast moving
action novel. They take the
stories and action images for reality and never allow the world
outside to assert itself.
Now,
please go softly into the night.
mgf
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