Fiction Tips – What is Fiction?

You may be an aspiring author, or you may just love to read fiction, but have you ever attempted to define fiction? Most people would simply say, “Fiction is a made up story. One that comes from a person’s imagination.” That would be true — in part. But it fails to hit on the most important component of what fiction really is. Perhaps that’s why so many strive to write good fiction, but fall flat.

Fiction is an art form. Fiction is a form of art.   Therein lies the key. To understand from the very core of your being that you are working with a form of art. And just as with all art forms there are tried and tested techniques that have worked for centuries. Ones that will continue to work when you know how to use them.   Become knowledgeable of the basic components of fiction:

**  Characters (main character and secondary characters)

**  Character traits

**  Setting

**  Conflict

**  Plot or story form

In addition to knowing and understanding these basic components, a skillful story teller must also be aware of and understand:

**  Point of View

**  Dialogue

**  Stream of Consciousness

**  Sequence

**  Pacing

**  Transitions

Fiction is an art form. Fiction has form. Every word that is written in fiction is part of a pattern. If you do not understand that there is a form to fiction, your stories will spill all over and you’ll never understand why.   Fiction has form. Real life does not.

A life’s happening may work as a “seed” for a story plot. But very seldom can it become a strong, self-supporting plot. In life, events follow one another for no apparent reason.    Fiction isn’t at all like life. Events in a work of fiction do not happen by chance. In fiction every event must logically follow another. There is a reason for everything that happens.

You as the author are responsible to assign that reason for what happens. Until you learn that concept, your fiction will fall flat — it will never soar!

Are you a fiction lover? Are you a student of fiction? A teacher of fiction? A reader of fiction? Let veteran, published author, Norma Jean Lutz help you enhance your knowledge and appreciation of fiction writing. Author of over 50 published books as well as hundreds of articles and short stories, Norma Jean is a popular workshop and writer conference instructor. She shares tips, concepts, and intricate writing techniques right here: [http://www.fiction-aire.com/fictionaire.html]