#Character elements of fiction how to#

In an epistolary book, though, we’re reading from the perspective of the person writing the letter. There will be no mention of an “I,” since we’re reading from the perspective of “you.”

This sometimes gets confused with epistolary books, which are actually technically first person, but here’s how you tell them apart: in the second person, “you” is the main character, not the addressee. Second person is the “you” point of view. It creates an immediate sense of intimacy just by putting us right in the character’s head. We’re locked in, and we’re here for the ride.įirst person is often used in young adult literature, but it’s also pretty common in character-driven adult fiction like literary fiction or realistic fiction. First Personįirst person means we’re inside the main character’s head using the pronoun “I.” This is the closest possible point of view, as it means we can never leave the main character’s head for the entire story. There are three types of POV: first, second, and third, which third being divided into limited and omniscient.

It’s the lens being used to convey information to the reader. The point of view in a novel is the vantage point from which we read. You don’t have to have the ending exact, but at least having an idea of how it ends-do they end up together? Did the butler commit the murder?-will help you plot the rest of your novel. Some people prefer not to outline, and some people swear by it, but the truth is this: it’s much easier to get where you’re going if you know where you’re headed. If you’re getting feedback that your novel reads too slowly or if you feel that you’re having a hard time figuring out what your characters should do next, throw them some conflict! Give them a problem to solve that’s rooted in their personalities, flaws, and desires. Your conflict comes from the challenges your characters face trying to pursue their goal. In a romance, the conflict is “will they end up together?” In a mystery, it’s usually “who did it?” ConflictĬonflict is the driving source of tension in your novel, and it’s what will keep readers hooked throughout the story. Your character’s actions should impact the plot, and the plot points should be impactful to the overall story. Often, when a reader says ‘nothing happened’ in a scene, it’s because there was no change at all in the status quo. It’s also important that something changes in each scene. Why are they about to do what they’re doing? When you sit down to write your scenes, keep your character’s goals in mind. There are plenty of different ways you can structure your novel to map out the action, but these tips will be helpful no matter what structure you choose. Everything that happens is a part of the plot! This is one of the most foundational of the elements of fiction. Learning to use this as one of the key elements of fiction, the plot of your novel is made up of the events that take place. What he really needs is to accept himself and help Aang restore balance to the world. It’s important to identify what your character wants-after all, the story should follow them trying to pursue it! But it’s also important to know what your character really needs, and to know whether these things line up.įor example, in Avatar the Last Airbender, Zuko wants to recapture the Avatar and regain his honor. People contain multitudes! Nobody in real life is just one thing, and your characters shouldn’t be, either. Give them interests, motivations, and complex characteristics. They have diverse interests, an interesting backstory, and they feel like real people. Round characters, on the other hand, have some dimension. They might rely too heavily on stereotype or one personality trait. You want round characters, and you want to avoid flat ones as much as possible.įlat characters are characters without dimension. In general, there are flat and round characters. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re creating characters for your story: Flat vs. We get attached to your characters, and even if you’ve got an interesting premise and setting, a flat character can turn a reader off immediately. They’re the ones we watch grow and develop. Characters are the people the reader follows through your story. One of the first elements of fiction most encounter.

#Character elements of fiction how to#

Genre Fiction: Definitions and Examples | Science Fiction: Definition and Examples | Literary Terms Exploring the Different Types of Fiction - dummies What is Literary Fiction? How to Develop a Literary Voice - Now Novel Here are six elements of fiction to know: