Sunny Aaron 2m 586 #fiction
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
The ability to craft impressive fiction stories that capture collective imagination is a unique art that originates from the writer’s inspiration and talent. While getting your first friction words onto a blank page can be daunting, it is not impossible. Getting a glimpse into the basic elements of fiction stories and books can prepare you well to craft your own pieces. This post explores the 6 core elements of good fiction writing.
Fictional Plot
If you are wondering how to be a fiction writer, start by mastering the fictional plot in your genre. The plot dictates the flow of events and effects in the story. Typically, a plot has five parts that enable you to structure your story in a way that hooks the reader. They include:
- Exposition
- Rising action
- Climax
- Falling action
- Denouement
In the exposition, you introduce the characters, problem, and time, while in the rising action, you now start to talk about the problem or cite the incident. On the other hand, Climax shows the story’s turning point and highlights an event with the greatest uncertainty and intensity. Falling action details the events that come after the climax to spark an emotional response from the reader. Finally, denouement involves closing the story.
Theme
The theme is mainly the motive or bigger message a writer relies on to drive the message home. It is the underlying truth that the writer tries to convey in the story. Most fiction themes revolve around the circle of life, beating the odds, greed, and prejudice. Your love for writing can guide you to the right theme.
Fictional Characters
These are the people, aliens, or animals in your fiction story. The scope of your novel can dictate whether to have one major character or several. Most fictional storytelling uses fully-formed round characters who relate to real human beings and go through massive changes throughout the story. Some genre novels also feature minor characters who don’t go through much transformation. A perfect understanding of the background information and backstory can enhance character development.
Setting
The fictional setting highlights the time period and location of the story. Some fiction authors use only a single setting throughout the novel, while others have multiple. The setting helps you know things like the weather, time of the day, historical period, geographical location, characters’ immediate surroundings, and more.
Point of View (POV)
Your preferred point of view significantly impacts how your readers digest your story. Most fiction stories are narrated in the first-person and third-person point of view. Even so, some writers occasionally employ the second-person point of view. In the first-person POV, one of the novel’s main characters, mostly the protagonist, narrates the story, making it feel more intimate and subjective. Third-person POV involves a narrator who is not part of the narrative and gives the novel a more objective, aloof tone.
Style and Tone
Your style and tone help connect all these elements together. You must carefully adopt a tone and style that matches your chosen themes and genres. While there are no style rules or guides for fiction stories, it is important to pay attention to your choice of words and the structure of your work.
Fiction writing is the best spot to let your creative juices flow while creating a world of imagination. By deeply understanding the core elements of fiction, you can communicate with the reader more effectively and capture their attention. Don’t hesitate to experiment with bold stylistic choices and tones to build an intriguing story.
(
