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. As in, the best tactic might not be to walk up to the person and say, "Hello, I'm super-cool." No, instead, you'd choose cool clothes. 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. 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.
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. "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. "I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the lessons and feel they were very helpful in introducing new ideas and perspectives to my writing.
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. 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. The writer Patricia Highsmith confessed to being a little bit in love with her own character, Tom Ripley.
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:
How to Write a Novel - Novel Writing Tips Here, you'll find essential advice on how to write a novel. Find out: What type of novel is right for you 7 ways to get great creative writing ideas 4 ways that novelists turn ideas into stories 6 top tips on how to make your novel a success And much more!Advertisement: Table of Contents Types of Novels. Elements of a Novel. Where to Get Creative Writing Ideas. Tips for Writing a Novel. Novel Outline. Frequently Asked Questions. How to Write a Great Beginning. How to Complicate Your Plot. How to Write a Satisfying Ending. How to Write a Mystery. A Simple Suspense Writing Technique. How to Write a Thriller. How to Write Science Fiction. How to Write Fantasy. How to Write Romance. How to Write Historical Fiction. More on Writing Historical Fiction. How to Keep Your Reader Interested. Top Novel Writing Tips. Author Interview: Meredith Sue Willis on Novel Writing. Author Interview: Nicole Peeler on Fantasy Writing. Author Interview: Hal Duncan on Speculative Fiction. Advertisement:
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. Good novels illuminate reality even as they transcend it, allowing readers to find truth and humanity in worlds that are completely fabricated. No matter what type of novel you want to write — literary or commercial, romance or science fiction, a wartime epic or a family drama — you'll need boundless creative energy and a commitment to see you through drafting your novel, and the revision and editing process. 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. Part 2 Drafting the Novel Part 3 Revising the Novel Tips Warnings When writing a novel, you should not be too sensitive when it comes to feedback.
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. Our main character, Martha, is in love with Steve, a married man. Martha's goal is to make Steve leave his wife for her. One night, she gives Steve an ultimatum. 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: Don’t overdo it Plot complications are useful, but be careful not to overdo them. Signs that you may have too many plot complications: The most dramatic order Advertisement:
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. 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 writer Sue Grafton says she was inspired to write her first murder mystery after fantasizing about killing her ex-husband. Where to?
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? 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. Is there something shameful in his/her past?