Fictional Creative Writing Basics

Study Notes

Fictional writing comprises invented stories, encompassing short stories, fables, plays, novels, and novellas.
A writer crafting a novel should create characters that are living people, not caricatures.

Diverse characters are essential for a compelling narrative.
Main characters drive the story's central plot.
Anti-heroes exhibit conflicting traits, often lacking traditional heroic virtues.
Minor characters support the narrative but aren't as crucial to the plot.

A well-crafted setting is vital to the story, not simply a backdrop.
Time and place are fundamental aspects of the setting.
Settings should not be inert, but activated by a point of view, helping convey layers of meaning.

A plot is the sequence of events in a narrative.
The plot is akin to footprints left in the snow by characters undertaking incredible journeys.
Essential Plot Elements include character introduction/exposition, trigger event, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Narrative structures are literary elements underlying the order and presentation of a narrative.
Narrative structures include, but are not limited to: linear narration, flashbacks and stream of consciousness, parallel and frame structures, circular stories.
Linear narration follows a chronological order of events, similar to many books, movies, and TV shows.
Non-linear narration, like flashbacks and stream of consciousness, disrupts the chronological order, often mimicking human memory or thought processes.
Interactive narratives allow readers/users to influence the plot and outcomes, common in video games.

Foreshadowing hints at future events, setting the stage for plot developments.
Flashbacks offer insight into characters' pasts and impact the present.
Parallel narratives present multiple protagonists, developing the nuances of their experiences and relationships.
Epistolary stories use letters, journals, or diary entries as the mode of narration.

Conflict is the struggle between two opposing entities, creating the dynamism of a story. Common conflict categories include: -Character vs. Character - the struggle between two characters -Character vs. Nature - a person at odds with the environment -Character vs. Society - a character struggling against societal norms or expectations -Character vs. Technology - a person in conflict with technological progression or devices -Character vs. Supernatural - a person confronting a supernatural force -Character vs. Self - a person wrestling with their internal conflicts