Rules for Writing Fiction

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)