Have you ever wanted to write a novel but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve started writing, but you’re not sure how to make your story more compelling. Either way, there are some key elements to writing fiction that can help you create a strong and interesting story.
In this article, we’ll explore the seven key elements of fiction writing: character, plot, setting, point of view, style, theme, and symbols. We’ll also look at some tips on how to make your writing more engaging and enjoyable to read.
So let’s get started!
Key Stages of Writing
Before we discuss fictional writing, here are the key stages to writing, whether you’re writing a fictional novel, a short story, an essay, or even just a blog post.
The First Stage Is Brainstorming
This is when you let your ideas run wild and come up with as many as possible. Don’t worry about whether they’re good ideas or not. Just get them down on paper (or screen).
Selection Of Ideas
Once you’ve got a good selection of ideas, it’s time to start narrowing them down and choosing the best ones. Ask yourself which ideas are most interesting and which ones are most likely to succeed.
If you’re stuck at this stage, it can be helpful to ask a friend or family member for their opinion.
Putting Your Ideas Into Words
Now, it’s time to start putting your ideas into words. This is the first draft stage, so don’t worry about making it perfect just yet. Just get your thoughts down in a rough form. You can always go back and edit it later.
The Next Stage Is Editing
This is where you take your rough draft and turn it into a polished piece of writing. Read through your work carefully, looking for any mistakes or areas that could be improved. If you’re not sure how to edit your work, there are plenty of proofreading services available online or in books.
The Final Stage Is Publishing
This is when you share your work with the world, whether that’s by submitting it to a literary magazine or simply posting it on your blog. Once you’ve published your work, it’s important to get feedback from readers so that you can improve your writing in the future.
The Seven Key Elements of Fictional Writing
1. Character
One of the most important aspects of any story is the characters. Readers need to be able to connect with the characters in order to become emotionally invested in the story.
There are a few things you can do to create strong and compelling characters:
– Make them relatable: readers should be able to see themselves in the characters or at least understand their motivations.
– Give them flaws: no one is perfect, and neither should your characters. Giving them flaws makes them more relatable and human.
– Give them distinct personalities: each character should be unique and have their own quirks and mannerisms. This will make them more interesting and believable.
– Make them active: rather than having your characters just react to things that happen to them, have them take action and drive the story forward.
2. Plot
The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It’s what happens to your characters and how they react to it.
A good plot should be well-structured and easy to follow. It should have a beginning, middle, and end, with a clear conflict and resolution. The best plots are often ones that are simple but effective.
3. Setting
The setting is the time and place where your story takes place. It can be anything from a small town to a galaxy far, far away.
The setting can have a big impact on your story. It can set the tone and mood, and it can also influence the characters and plot. For example, if you’re writing a horror story, then you’ll likely want to set it in a dark and isolated place.
4. Point of View
Point of view is the perspective from which your story is told. There are three main points of view: first person, second person, and third person.
The first-person point of view is when the story is told from the perspective of one of the characters. This is often used in memoirs or first-person narratives. An example of this would be, “I went to the market.”
The second-person point of view is when the story is told from the perspective of the reader. This is not used very often as it can be confusing or off-putting for readers. An example of this would be, “You went to the market.”
The third-person point of view is when the story is told from an outside perspective. This is the most common point of view for fiction as it allows readers to see all sides of the story. An example of this would be “She went to the market.”
5. Style
Style is how you tell your story. It includes things like your word choice, sentence structure, and overall tone.
Your style should be consistent throughout your story. If you’re writing a light-hearted comedy, then you’ll want to use a style that is engaging and fun to read. If you’re writing a dark thriller, then you’ll want to use a style that is suspenseful and atmospheric.
6. Theme
The theme is what your story is about at a deeper level. It’s the underlying message or ideas that you want to communicate to your readers.
For example, if you’re writing a coming-of-age story, then one of your themes might be growing up or discovering who you are. If you’re writing a love story, then one of your themes might be sacrificing or finding happiness in unexpected places.
7. Symbols
Symbols are objects or images that represent something else. They can be used to add depth and meaning to your story by representing different ideas or themes.
For example, if you’re writing a story about loss, then you might use the image of a white feather to symbolize hope or new beginnings. Or, if you’re writing about love, then you might use the image of a rose to symbolize love or passion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the seven key elements of fiction writing are character, plot, setting, point of view, style, theme, and symbolism. All seven are important to the success of a work of fiction, but the first three are absolutely essential.
A good story will have interesting characters in an intriguing setting and will be well-written in an engaging style.
