Writing Fiction

1. Craft compelling characters to drive your story

"Characters are the core of a story and interact with or influence every other element of fiction."

Create dimensional characters. Develop characters with depth by giving them:

• Specific desires and goals
• Contrasting traits and complexities
• The ability to change and grow

Avoid flat stereotypes. Instead, make your characters feel like real people with unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. Use dialogue, actions, and thoughts to reveal who they are. Remember that characters are what drive a story, carrying the reader from the first to the last page.

2. Develop a focused plot with a major dramatic question

"At the heart of most great fiction is the excitement created when we really feel that the work is after something specific—when it has plot."

Craft a compelling storyline. Center your plot around a single, pressing question that can be answered by the end of the story. This major dramatic question creates suspense and keeps readers engaged. Structure your plot with:

• A strong beginning that introduces characters and sets up the central conflict
• A middle that escalates tension through linked events and obstacles
• An ending that provides a satisfying resolution to the central question

Remember that a good plot is not just a series of events, but a chain of cause-and-effect actions that flow logically from your characters' decisions and motivations.

3. Choose the right point of view to tell your story effectively

"More than anything else, the point of view you choose for your story or novel will affect the way readers respond emotionally to your characters and their actions."

Select the most suitable narrative perspective. Your choice of point of view (POV) will influence how readers connect with your characters and story. Consider these options:

• First-person: Intimate but limited to one character's perspective
• Third-person limited: Follows one character closely but with more flexibility
• Third-person omniscient: Access to multiple characters' thoughts and wider narrative scope
• Second-person: Rare but can be effective for certain stories

Choose a POV that best serves your story's needs and allows you to convey the information and emotions you want readers to experience. Be consistent with your chosen POV throughout the story.

4. Use vivid description to bring your fictional world to life

"To bring a reader into your fictional world, you need to offer data for all the senses."

Paint a sensory picture. Engage readers by appealing to all five senses:

• Sight: Describe colors, shapes, and movements
• Sound: Include ambient noises and character voices
• Smell: Evoke memories and emotions through scents
• Touch: Convey textures and temperatures
• Taste: Use flavors to enhance setting and character development

Use specific, concrete details rather than vague generalizations. Choose telling details that not only describe the scene but also reveal character, mood, or theme. Balance description with action and dialogue to maintain pacing and reader interest.

5. Write realistic dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot

"Dialogue has to seem real and yet not be too real and also do something important."

Craft purposeful conversations. Effective dialogue should:

• Sound natural while being more focused than real-life speech
• Reveal character personalities and relationships
• Advance the plot or provide necessary information
• Create tension or conflict between characters

Avoid exposition-heavy dialogue where characters tell each other things they already know. Instead, use subtext and implication to convey information. Pay attention to each character's unique voice, considering their background, education, and personality. Use dialogue tags sparingly, favoring action beats to show who's speaking and how they're feeling.

6. Create a strong narrative voice to engage readers

"Voice is what readers 'hear' in their heads when they're reading. Voice is the 'sound' of the story."

Develop a distinctive storytelling style. Your narrative voice is the personality of your prose. It can be:

• Conversational: Casual and intimate
• Formal: More distanced and authoritative
• Lyrical: Poetic and rhythmic
• Humorous: Light and witty

Choose a voice that fits your story and characters. Consistency is key – maintain your chosen voice throughout the work. Experiment with different voices to find what feels natural and engaging. Remember that voice goes beyond word choice; it includes sentence structure, rhythm, and the overall tone of your writing.

7. Revise ruthlessly to polish your work

"Real writers revise!"

Refine your draft through multiple revisions. The writing process doesn't end with the first draft. To create a polished final product:

1. Let your draft "cool off" before revising
2. Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing and rhythm issues
3. Focus on big-picture issues first (plot, character, structure)
4. Then move to line-level edits (word choice, sentence structure)
5. Cut unnecessary words, scenes, and characters
6. Get feedback from trusted readers or a writing group
7. Be willing to make significant changes if they improve the story

Don't be afraid to "kill your darlings" – remove even beautifully written passages if they don't serve the story. Remember that revision is where good writing becomes great writing.

8. Navigate the publishing industry to get your work out there

"Think of the process as a two-part equation. First, you create the product—in other words, the novel, novella, or short story. Then, you sell it."

Understand the business of writing. Once you've crafted your story, consider these steps to publication:

1. For short stories:
   • Research literary magazines that publish your type of work
   • Follow submission guidelines carefully
   • Build writing credits through publication in smaller magazines
2. For novels:
   • Decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing
   • If traditional, research literary agents who represent your genre
   • Craft a compelling query letter and synopsis
   • Be prepared for rejections and keep submitting

Remember that publishing is a business. Treat your writing career professionally, keeping records of submissions and following up appropriately. Stay persistent and continue improving your craft while navigating the publishing world.

Last updated: January 25, 2025