Fiction Writing Tips - How to Write Fiction Below, you'll find some fiction writing tips to help you create characters that come alive. At the bottom of the page, you'll also find more creative writing resources, including our free online writing courses. Are you losing your mind when a fictional character starts to seem real to you? A friend of mine was heartbroken when X died in Harry Potter 6 (we'll call him X to keep from spoiling the book if you haven't read it yet). One of my other friends has a serious crush on Edward Cullin, the sexy vampire hero of Stephenie Meyer's popular Twilight series. The second friend recently showed up for a coffee date with dark circles under her eyes. Advertisement: Fiction writing tips - Inventing your characters Where do fictional characters come from? Some places to start: Someone you see on the street or in the supermarket. Fiction writing tips - Getting to know your characters To convince readers that your character is a real person, the first step is to convince yourself. A warning
Questionnaires for Writing Character Profiles - Creative Writing Help Enter your e-mail to get the e-book for FREE. We'll also keep you informed about interesting website news. "I have searched the web and used different worksheets, but none have come close to your worksheets and descriptions of (what to do and what not to do). Both courses I have taken have with Creative Writing Now have been amazing. Each time I have learned something new. The one thing I love, you take everything apart and give examples." - Katlen Skye "As usual - I already love the course on Irresistible Fiction, rewriting a lot and improving greatly even after the first lesson. “Essentials of Fiction proved that I could indeed write and I wrote every day, much to my boyfriend's dismay (waa sniff).” - Jill Gardner "I am loving the course and the peer interaction on the blog is fantastic!!!" "I'm enjoying the weekly email course, Essentials of Poetry Writing. "Thank you for all the material in this course. "Thanks very much for this course. "I'm learning so much. "Thank you so much!!
How to Write a Novel (with Examples) Edit Article Four Parts:Writing HelpCreating a Fictional WorldDrafting the NovelRevising the NovelQuestions and Answers A novel is a fictional work of narrative prose. Ad Steps Part 1 Creating a Fictional World <img alt="Image titled Write a Novel Step 1" src=" width="728" height="485" class="whcdn">1Get inspired. <img alt="Image titled Write a Novel Step 7" src=" width="728" height="485" class="whcdn">7Consider starting from scratch. Part 2 Drafting the Novel <img alt="Image titled Write a Novel Step 8" src=" width="728" height="546" class="whcdn">1Consider making an outline. Part 3 Revising the Novel Tips Warnings
What is Plot - How to Write a Story from Beginning to End On this page, we answer the question, "What is plot?" and talk about how to create a road map for your own fiction. At the bottom, you'll find links to other fiction writing resources, including a free creative writing course. What is plot and how to get where you're going A story's plot is what happens in the story and the order it happens in. For there to be story, something has to move, to change. This change could be: A physical event (Point A = psycho killer is picking off everyone in town. What is plot? Advertisement: What is plot - why happiness is overrated There's a reason why "Happily ever after" comes at the story's end. It would be different if it were: "Happily ever after, except for one extramarital affair and its violent ending..." Please don't assume I'm some kind of evil fairy-tale witch, wishing ill on the fortunate couple. The story is how you get to the happy ending. For there to be a story, something's got to happen. What is plot - how to stir up major trouble
How to Write Fiction This page talks about how to write fiction that feels real to the reader by "showing" instead of "telling." At the bottom of the page, you'll find links to more creative writing tips and help, including a free online writing course. How to write fiction that shows instead of tells Writing fiction is like trying to convince someone you're cool. How does this apply to fiction? Advertisement: Examples of showing versus telling Example of telling: Lois was a horribly messy person. Example of showing: Hey, there's my sandwich!' What if, instead of messy, Lois were compulsively neat? Here's another example of telling: It was a hot day. Example of showing: Her shirt stuck to the small of her back, and sweat rolled down her thighs as she trudged across the parched grass to the porch, where a collie panted in the thin shadow offered by the rocking chair. Notice some advantages of showing versus telling: It's more interesting to read. "But if Lois is a mess, can't I just say she's a mess?" Example:
How to Write Short Stories – Creative Writing Techniques: Point-of-View This page explains narrative point of view and how to write short stories from the best "camera angle." This is just one of many pages on this website about different elements of a story. For a complete list and the chance to take free creative writing courses, see the links at the bottom. How to write short stories from different points of view Your story's narrator is the voice that is telling the story. For example, read the same scene described by three different narrators: I pulled out the gun and showed it to the cute blond bank teller, who gave a little yelp of surprise. Advertisement: How to write short stories in the first person There are certain things a first person narrator normally shouldn't say. Another thing that sounds strange in the first person voice: "I have no idea that..." Also always an awkward statement: "Then, I died." How to write short stories - advantages of a first person narrator: Directness - You can give the reader a first-hand perspective on the story.
How to Write Dialogue that Works – Elements of a Story This page talks about the essentials of how to write dialogue. At the bottom, you can find more creative writing resources, including the chance to take a free writing course. How to write dialogue that expresses your character's voice I bet if you hung around on a random street corner and asked ten different passers-by how to get to the airport, they'd all give you different answers. Okay, maybe if you're lucky, they'd suggest similar routes. "I'm sorry, I really couldn't say." Geographic background (a Texan doesn't speak the same as a Bostonian) Educational level Age (Like, is your character, like, a total teenager?) Advertisement: Dialogue is when you let the reader listen in on a conversation between your characters. This may seem like a lot to manage as an author, but it's simple to learn. Get in the habit of really listening to how people talk (not only what they say). How to write dialogue that doesn't bore or annoy your reader. "I think the police are onto Scotty." For example:
Easy Novel Outline – Free Writing Lessons and Worksheets Here you'll find easy novel outline techniques to plan your book step by step, along with worksheets for planning characters and scenes. This is just one of many pages on this website with creative writing worksheets and advice. At the bottom, you'll find links to related pages on how to write a novel. An outline for your novel A novel outline is a plan for a novel. Why outline your novel? It can make it less intimidating to start writing. Advertisement: Dangers of a novel outline A reason some writers prefer not to work with a detailed outline is that they feel that the outline stifles their creativity and makes them less spontaneous. Top tips for your novel outline Know yourself, and figure out the method that works best for you. A simple way to outline Here is an easy system you can use to outline your novel if you find it helpful. 1) Before you start your actual novel outline, spend some time brainstorming freely, letting your imagination run, generating ideas, and writing them down.
Story Conflict - Plot Structure This page will explain how to add complications and twists to your story conflict to create suspense and keep your reader's attention. How to Complicate Your Plot Let's say we're writing a story about a love triangle. This might be enough for a very short story, especially if the confrontation between Martha and Steve plays out in an interesting way. In a longer manuscript, we might start the story earlier in the affair and build up to the night when Martha delivers the ultimatum. How can we keep the reader interested through all of this? She could unintentionally say something that makes Steve angry. Think about adding new plot complications to your story if: Your conflict is developing in an overly predictable way Your conflict feels two-dimensional Things seem too easy for your main character You're having trouble keeping your story conflict from peaking too quickly Your story lacks suspense or tension Advertisement: Don’t overdo it Signs that you may have too many plot complications:
What is Fiction and an Easy Technique for Writing Better Stories On this page, you'll find an answer to the question, "What is fiction?", and an explanation of the incredibly simple Daydream Technique, which can help you write better stories. At the bottom of the page, you'll find more creative writing resources, including our free online writing courses. What is fiction? Fiction is make-believe, imaginary. If a story's true, it's non-fiction. Novels are fiction. Newspaper articles are nonfiction (even if they "slant the truth," they are intended to be read as factual). Though fiction is made up, good fiction often seems more real than a newspaper report. A skilled writer can create a kind of dream in the reader's mind. Advertisement: What is fiction - Where does fiction come from? You probably have dreams sometimes that take details from your real life and scramble them all up into something new. Writers are constantly recycling real details in this way. The stories are make-believe, but the details and feelings are real. What is fiction - Next steps
Types of Novels - How to Write a Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi Novel, and More... Here you'll find explanations of different types of novels, along with novel writing tips. Curious about how to write romance, science fiction, thrillers, fantasy, historical novels...? Read on! This is just one of many pages on this website about how to write a novel. At the bottom of the page, you'll find links to more pages with creative writing ideas and advice. Types of novels - overview The publishing world tends to classify fiction as either commercial, meaning it's built to make money, or as literary, meaning that it's a work of art. Types of novels - commercial fiction Commercial fiction is divided into many genres, or categories. Some major genres: Mysteries - A mystery is about a crime, usually a murder, and the process of discovering who committed it. Types of novels - literary fiction Literary fiction is generally lumped all together in bookstores as "General Fiction" or "Literature." Types of novels - which one should you write? Types of novels - next steps
Story Writing Tips - 5 Ways to Make Your Characters More Interesting Here are some story writing tips that will add interest to your characters -- and your stories. 1) Play against type. Are you writing about a nerdy college professor? A streetwise cop? Readers will have certain expectations of your characters based on stereotypes. Maybe your nerdy college professor -- is also an expert street fighter. Maybe your tough cop -- loves to read romance novels. Maybe your cruel mobster -- has a soft spot for children and animals. By combining characteristics in unexpected ways, you make your characters seem more three-dimensional, memorable, and unique. And the element is surprise is fun, adding a sense of freshness into your story. Advertisement: 2) Give your character a secret. Secrets are great material for fiction. Letting readers in on your character's secret creates a sense of intimacy. Secrets also create suspense. And secrets can make characters act in interesting ways, as they lie or dissimulate, try to cover their tracks. 3) Lower his/her inhibitions.