Rules for Writing Fiction
“You need to know the rules in order to break the rules”
I am restricting you now so that you will have the freedom to grow as a writer
Plot – what happens and why, arrange chronologically, past tense unless have a very good reason
Setting – go to another place (country chosen) and time (pre-1970, post-Cavemen); PAST TENSE (Future tense for dialogue only); allow reader to see/hear/feel/smell the scene – I should be able to guess country and time period without you telling me; know more about setting than tell reader; Set a mood
Point of View – 1st or 3rd Person (3rd is easier) – be consistent
Character - Know more than you tell the reader (some description of physical characteristic); easier if character same age/gender as writer; focus on ONE Main Character; Reader must be able to empathize with protagonist (can’t hate or dislike protagonist)
Write description of character before you start – physical characteristics, clothes, habits, mannerisms, quirks, jobs, birthplace, importance of family history, hobbies; must still do ordinary, daily activities while undergoing conflict
Introduction – Drop your reader immediately into action and/or conflict; allow us to get to know main character and setting
Rising Action – associated with conflict, ends in climax; rising tension between opening and climax; join in protagonist’s feelings; everything must further plot or reveal character
Conflict – should begin on 1st page of story – problem within character or b/w character and someone/something else (man vs man/self/society/nature)
Don’t put character in situation where they can’t do anything about it but wait – they must be able to solve the problem
Climax – slow down and dramatize; protagonist MUST face and overcome conflict – it may not be solved for them, but they may receive help
Resolution – allows reader to see protagonist for little while after problem is solved – short; conflict resolved; wraps up loose ends and leaves reader satisfied
Inevitable, but not predictable: can’t imagine how it’s going to end, but once reach climax can look back and realize couldn’t have happened any other way
Problem Areas:
Conflict starts too late – should be present by end of first page
Too much telling/not enough showing
No Resolution
Leaving out climax or not dramatizing
Not enough motivation; No catalyst
Not enough setting
Empty/unnecessary dialogue; Dead Spots
Clichés: “Once upon a time,” “A long time ago,” “In Germany in 1945 a young boy,” “they lived happily ever after,” “she woke up and realized it was all a dream”
Writing Steps:
Who is he/she? (Develop Protagonist/Main Character)
Where is he/she? (Develop Setting)
What is problem? (Develop Conflict)
What is he/she doing? (Develop Plot)
What happened just before this? (Develop Background)
What will happen next? (Develop Climax and Resolution)