Fiction and nonfiction are the two main types of prose writing. Fiction is the creation of stories from the author's imagination, although in the work there may be references to real events or people. Fiction is not a story that actually happened although it may contain some elements of fact in it. If you want to create your own work of fiction, you just need a little time and creativity.
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Part 1 of 5: Understanding Some of the Common Mistakes in Fiction
Step 1. Don't start with a groove that's too slow
While some writers enjoy starting very slowly and developing the story gradually so that the level of suspense builds up over time, this requires practice and skills that novice writers usually don't have. Fiction is dependent on conflict, and this should be prepared as early as possible. Famous short story writer Kurt Vonnegut shares his tip: “Never mind the suspense. Readers need to really understand what happened, where, and why, so they can finish their own story if the cockroaches eat the last few pages of their book.” We do hope that the cockroaches don't eat your book, but the point here is this: if you write the first few chapters of ordinary people doing ordinary things, without any problems or challenges, readers probably won't care. your story.
- For example, in the first chapter of Stephanie Meyer's hugely popular novel Twilight, all the basic conflicts are explained: Bella Swan, the main female character, has to move to a new place she doesn't like and has no one she knows. He also meets his mysterious hero, Edward Cullen, who makes him both uncomfortable and intrigued. This conflict, namely the feeling that he is attracted to someone who confuses him, then becomes the basis for the continuation of the story.
- One of Twilight's inspirations, Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, also centers on a major problem in the first chapter: a new bachelor who is liked by many people moves to a city, and the main character's mother wants to match one of her daughters with the bachelor because his family is poor. The mother hopes they can enjoy life in the future. The problem of finding husbands for these daughters will form a large part of the novel, in addition to the challenges that arise because of the mother's intrusive nature.
Step 2. Define your main dreams
To make your story interesting, you must prepare dreams for the characters in your fiction. This dream need not be too grandiose, but it should be important to the characters. Vonnegut once said, "Every character has to want something, even if it's just a glass of water." The main character must want something and is afraid (for good reason) that he will not get it. Stories without clear dreams are difficult to attract the attention of readers.
- For example, whether the main character succeeds in establishing a relationship with the person he loves or experiences failure is not the end of the world for all the other characters, but it is still very important for the main character.
- Sometimes, written dreams can really mean the end of the world, for example in J. R. R.'s Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien. In this story, failure to destroy the ring by the characters will result in the destruction of Middle Earth due to evil forces. This type of dream is usually suitable for works of fantasy and epics.
Step 3. Avoid dialogue work that places a heavy emphasis on exposition
Dialogue should sound natural to the characters speaking it. Think of these things: when was the last time you told the whole story of your life to someone you just met? Or go back to what happened at a previous meeting in detail when you were talking to a friend? If you can't answer these questions, make sure your character can't answer either and won't.
- For example, the novels Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris, have a bad tendency to spend the first few chapters just to "explain" everything that happened in the previous episodes. The narrator will also sometimes speak to remind the reader of who a character is and what his role is. Things like this can disrupt a smooth storytelling and distract the reader from feeling attached to the characters in the story.
- There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have a mentor-student relationship between the characters, you could use more expository work in their interactions. A good example of this type of situation is the relationship between Haymitch Abernathy and her students, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series. Haymitch can explain some of the rules of the Hunger Games and give tips on how to do well in the competition in his dialogue, because that's his job. However, even in situations like these, don't let your dialogue go overboard in explaining the world in the novel.
Step 4. Don't let your work be too predictable
While many works of fiction follow some familiar guidelines (remember, most stories are about heroic missions or two people who hate each other at first but end up loving each other), don't fall victim to this formulaic style of storytelling. If readers can guess what will happen, they will not finish reading your story.
- For example, you could write a romance novel that makes it difficult for readers to predict the happy ending for the characters. You can show this difficulty through the situations the characters face, or their personality flaws. Readers will be surprised to learn that the ending is happy, despite all the opposites that are shown in the story.
- However, don't get caught up in the "it's all just a dream" trick. An ending that immediately changes everything that started it rarely works, because readers usually feel they have been tricked or tricked.
Step 5. Show, don't tell
This aspect is one of the main rules of fiction, and one that is often forgotten. Showing, not telling, means that you tell emotions or points in a plot through actions and reactions, rather than telling the reader what a character is going through or feeling.
- For example, instead of writing something like Yao is angry, let the readers catch what's going on: Yao clenching his fists. Her face reddened. This trick shows readers that Yao is angry, without you having to tell them.
- Also be aware of this in dialogue situations. For example: “Let's go,” Jenna said impatiently.” This scene tells the reader that Jenna is impatient, but can't show it in action. Instead of writing something like this, write: "Let's go!" Jenna screamed and stomped her foot on the floor. This way, readers will still understand that Jenna is impatient, but you don't have to tell her directly; You have shown them.
Step 6. Don't believe that there are any fixed rules
This may sound contradictory, especially after you've been told some things to avoid when writing fiction. However, one of the biggest parts of writing is actually finding your own style and type of writing. This means you are free to experiment. Just know that not all of your experiments will work. So don't be discouraged if you try a new method and it doesn't turn out the way you wanted.
Part 2 of 5: Preparing for Fiction Writing
Step 1. Decide on the format of your work of fiction
This may depend on the type of story you want to write. For example, if you want to write an epic fantasy work over several generations, you could put your imagination in the form of a novel (or even a series of novels) instead of choosing short stories. If you're interested in exploring a person's character, maybe your story is more suitable to be written in the form of a short story.
Step 2. Think of the main idea
All books start from a small idea, dream, or inspiration, which is then slowly transformed into a bigger and more detailed idea. This idea should be something that catches your eye, something that is very important to you. If you don't like it, it will show in your work. If you're having issues coming up with good ideas, try these:
- Start with what you know. If you were born in a small town in the rural area of Surabaya, you can start by thinking about the stories you know about nature that is similar to the place where you were born. If you want to write about something you're not good at, do some research. You can write mythical stories about modern-day Norse gods, but chances are yours won't be as successful. By the same principle, if you want to write a historical love life during the ancient British Empire, do some research on the social rules and other things that prevailed at that time, so that your novel will appeal to the readers.
- List things: “curtains,” “cats,” “detectives,” etc. Pick a few words and add a few things: Where is it located? What does it mean? When did it happen? Develop a paragraph about them. Why is it like that? When the object / creature is in a location? How's the story? How does he look?
- Create multiple characters. How old is she? When and where were they born? Do they live in this world? What is the name of the city where they live now? What are their names? What is their age, height, weight? What gender are they? What color are their eyes and hair, and what ethnicity do they come from?
- Try making a map. Draw the shape of a puddle and make it into an island, or draw lines to show a river. Who lives in this place? What do they need to survive?
- If you haven't kept a journal, start now. Journals are a good helper to help you get quality ideas.
Step 3. Explore your topic with the "Cubing
Cubing asks you to examine the topic from six different angles (this is why it's called cubing /bubus - from the word cube). For example, if you want to write a story about a wedding, consider the following points of view:
Describe (explain): What is your topic? (a wedding ceremony in which two people are married; a wedding feast or reception; a wedding ritual)
Compare: What is your topic like? (eg: unique religious rituals, unusual types of parties; unusual days) Associate (develop relationships): What new things did you envision because of your topic? (expenses, dresses, church, flowers, relationships, arguments) Analyze (do analysis): What elements make up your topic? (usually the groom and bride, a cake, a few guests, venue, wedding vows, decorations; or, figuratively, stress, excitement, fatigue, and happiness) Apply (to be useful): How is the topic used? How to? (used in terms of bringing two people together under a legal marriage contract) Evaluate (evaluate): How can the topic be supported or opposed? (supported: two people who love each other marry to live a happy life together; opposed: there are people in this world who get married for the wrong reasons)
Step 4. Explore your topic with the "Mind-mapping" method
You can draw a visual representation of the elements in your story through mind mapping, which is sometimes also known as a “cluster” or “spiderweb” (network). Start in the middle with the main conflict or character, and draw outward lines that connect to other concepts. See what happens if you connect these other elements in different ways.
Step 5. Explore your topic by asking “what if
For example, you have created a character: a young woman in her early 20s, who lives in a small town. Ask yourself what would happen if the character were faced with different situations. What would happen if he worked in Sydney, Australia, even though he had never previously left the country of his birth? What if he suddenly had to take over the family business, even though he didn't really want to? Placing your character in different situations will help determine the conflicts he can face and how he can handle them.
Step 6. Explore your topic by doing research
If you want to write about a specific place, time, or event, such as the Medieval Wars of the Roses, do some research. Find out who the historical figures were, what actions they did, and why they did them. The acclaimed Game of Thrones book series by George R. R. Martin was inspired by his fascination with medieval life in England, but he researched and created his own world and characters based on that research.
Step 7. Use other sources for inspiration
Checking out other creative works can help you develop creativity for your own. Watch a few movies or read some books from the same genre of stories as you, to get an idea of how the stories are usually developed. Set up a soundtrack that the characters in your story would like to hear, or that would appear if your story were made into a film (think of this).
Step 8. Develop your ideas
A great writer is also a great reader and observer. Observe the world around you, which you may want to use as details in your work of fiction. Record the conversations you overhear. Go for a walk and observe nature. Let your idea mix with other ideas.
Part 3 of 5: Writing Your Fiction
Step 1. Determine the basic setting and plot
You should really know about the world in your story, who lives in it, and what will happen in the story, before you start writing all the scenes and chapters. If you really understand the characters (which should happen once you've explored them), let their personalities and flaws guide the flow of your plot.
- Regarding setting, ask yourself these questions: When did it happen? What's in the present? Future? Past? More than once? In what season? Is the weather hot, cold, or temperate? Is there a storm? Where? In this world? A different world? Another universe? In what country? In what city? In which province?
- For the plot, ask yourself these questions: Who is in it? What is their role? Are they good or bad characters? What weaknesses do they have? What are their goals? What incident started this story? Did something happen in the past that could affect the future?
Step 2. Determine the point of view (POV) that will be used in the story
Point of view is very important in a work of fiction, because it determines the information given to the reader, and how the reader develops a relationship with the characters. Although point of view and narrative are very complicated matters, the basic choices you can make are first person point of view, third person point of view (limited), third person point of view (objective), and third person point of view (free).). Whatever you choose, make sure you are consistent.
- Fiction written from a first-person perspective (usually indicated by the narrator's use of the word "I") can grab the reader's emotional attention because they will put themselves in the narrator's shoes, but you can't discuss other people's thoughts as you please, because you should limit the narrative to what your characters know based on their experiences. Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre is an example of a novel written in the first person.
- Fiction written in the third person does not use the pronoun "I", but the story is told from the point of view of a character, and only deals with things that he can see, know, and experience. This point of view is very commonly used for works of fiction because readers are usually still easily positioned themselves with the characters in the story. Stories told in this way can focus exclusively on a character's point of view (for example, the main character in Charlotte Perkins Gilmans' short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”), or may move between characters (for example, each chapter dedicated to points of view of the various characters in the Game of Thrones books, or the points of view chapters between the female and male protagonists in most romance novels). If you do want to switch points of view, make sure you do so clearly. Use blank pages or clear labels as markers in each chapter.
- Fiction written from a third person (objective) point of view limits itself to only telling what the narrator sees or hears. This type of fiction is difficult to write because you can't read the minds of other characters and explain their motivations and reasons. Thus, readers may find it difficult to build a relationship with the characters. However, this method can be used effectively; for example in short stories by Ernest Hemingway.
- Fiction written from a third-person (free) point of view lets you know everyone's thoughts, feelings, experiences, and actions. The narrator can read the minds of all the characters and even tell the reader things that the other characters don't know, such as secrets or mysterious events that have happened. The narrator in Dan Brown's books is usually like this.
Step 3. Outline your story
Use Roman numbering and write a few sentences or paragraphs about what will happen in a chapter.
Your story outline doesn't have to be very detailed if you don't want to. In fact, it's likely that your story will drift away from the outline you initially set. This is a normal thing. Sometimes, the author just notes the main points of a chapter (eg: “Olivia is annoyed and questions her own decision”), instead of trying to determine the specifics that will happen
Step 4. Start writing
You can try using paper and a pen instead of a computer when creating your first draft. If you're sitting at your computer and you feel like something's not right, you'll keep sitting at it, typing and retyping, again and again. Using paper and a pen, all you have to do is write it down. If you experience stagnation, you can move past it and continue with your draft. Start wherever you feel is appropriate to write. Use story outlines when you get off track. Keep going until you reach the end of the story.
If you're more used to using a computer, software like Scrivener can help you. These programs allow you to write several small documents, such as character profiles and plot summaries, for later storage in the same place
Step 5. Approach your writing gradually
If you try to start by thinking, “I WILL WRITE THE GREATEST INDONESIAN NOVEL OF THIS TIME”, you will probably fail before you even start. Try writing down one small goal first: a chapter, a few scenes, and a sketch of your character.
Step 6. Read the dialogue aloud as you write it down
One of the biggest problems novice writers usually face is writing dialogue that sounds impossible for a living person to pronounce. This is especially a problem for writers in the fields of historical fiction and fantasy, as there are challenges to making the language look elegant and cool. Unfortunately, this sometimes comes at the expense of the bond between the reader and the characters. Dialogue in your story should flow naturally, although it may be more dense and meaningful than dialogue in the real world.
- While in the real world people often repeat words and use filler words like “umm”, use them only occasionally in your novels. Readers can be distracted if these words are used excessively.
- Use your dialogue to advance the storyline or show something about a character. Even though in the real world people often talk meaninglessly or converse about superficial topics, know that these things are not interesting to read in a novel. Use dialogue to show a character's emotional state, determine a plot point or conflict and plot, or show what happens in a part of the novel – without stating it directly.
- Try to use less clear dialogue. For example, if you're writing about an unhappy marriage, don't let your characters say to each other explicitly, "I'm not happy with our marriage." Instead of doing so, express their anger and frustration through dialogue. For example, one character can ask what another character wants, and you can make the person answering the question respond with an answer that is unrelated to the question. This shows that both characters have difficulty hearing each other and communicating effectively, without having to say, “We didn't communicate effectively”.
Step 7. Make sure the characters' actions make sense
The characters have to dictate the actions of your story, and this means your character shouldn't be doing something he wouldn't normally do, just because your plot requires it. Sometimes a character may do something out of the ordinary, but only if the circumstances they are in are extraordinary, or if it's just part of their nature (for example, you could end up in a different position than the original in a story). However, know that you have to be consistent throughout most of the stories.
- For example, if your main character is afraid of flying because he was in a plane crash as a child, he certainly won't get on a plane easily to another place, simply because your plot requires it.
- If the hero in your character has ever been hurt by his ex and he became closed-minded, he certainly shouldn't be able to instantly fall in love with the main female character and rush after her without thinking. People don't act like this in real life, and readers still expect real elements, even in fantasy situations.
Step 8. Rest
Once your entire first draft is written, take a break. This suggestion was made by Ernest Hemingway, the famous writer who always rested at night, because according to him, “If you think consciously or worry about [your story], you will kill it, and your brain will tire before you begin”. Go to the movies, read a book, watch a horse race, go swimming, have dinner with friends, hike a mountain and get some exercise! When you take a break, you will be more inspired when you return to your work of fiction.
Step 9. Reread your work
This suggestion is also supported by Hemingway, who insists that, “You should read everything again every day, starting at the beginning, then making improvements as you read, then continuing from the last section the previous day”.
- While reading, use a red ballpoint pen to make any notes or corrections you want. Take lots of notes. you get a better word? Want to replace some sentences? Does the dialogue sound too immature? Do you think the cat should be turned into a dog? Take note of these changes!
- Read your story aloud as this can help you find faults.
Step 10. Understand that first drafts are never perfect
If an author tells you that he wrote all of his beautiful and wonderful novels in one fell swoop-–without any trouble-–then he is lying to you. In fact, fiction writers, such as Charles Dickens and J. K. Rowling, made a very bad first draft. You may have to throw out a lot of prose or plot parts because they are no longer relevant. This is not only normal, but almost an obligation so that you can come up with a final product that readers will really love.
Part 4 of 5: Revising Your Fiction
Step 1. Revise, revise, and revise
Revision means you are looking at something again. See your work of fiction from the reader's point of view, not yours as the writer. If you spent the money to buy this book, would you be satisfied reading it? Do you feel an attachment to the characters? Revision can be a very difficult thing; there's a reason why people often refer to it as a “heart-wrenching act” (because you have to throw away the parts you love most of the time).
Don't be afraid to throw out words, paragraphs, or even a section entirely. Most people write down their stories with extra words or text. Waste. Waste. Waste. That's the key to success
Step 2. Experiment with different techniques
If something in your story doesn't work, change that! If the story is written from a first-person perspective, try turning it into a third-person perspective. See which one you like more. Try new things, add new plot points, add multiple characters, or set up a different personality for an existing character, etc.
Step 3. Get rid of fluff (things that are too common)
This is especially the case for novice writers, who may use shortcuts to express things, such as adjectives and auxiliary words that are too often used to describe an event or experience. Mark Twain offers good advice for dealing with this: “Use the word 'crazy' whenever you want to write down the word 'very'. Your editor will delete it, so your paper will be where you want it to be.”
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For example, consider this sentence from Stephenie Meyer's novel New Moon: "'Hurry up, Bella,' Alice interrupts immediately." Interruption is indeed an action that indicates urgency: because it stops other actions. The auxiliary "immediately" adds nothing to the action. In fact, this sentence doesn't really need a dialogue tag; You can indicate an interrupt from one character to another by using double dashes, like this:
"Yeah," I said, "I was just about to--"
"Oh, come on, now!"
Step 4. Get rid of cliches
Writers often rely too much on clichés, especially in their early drafts. This is because cliches are a common way of expressing ideas or images. However, this can also be a writer's weakness: everyone must have read these words, "live happily ever after", so these words no longer affect the reader.
Consider the advice of Anton Chekhov: “Don't tell me that the moon shines; show the gleam of light to the broken glass." This suggestion also emphasizes the importance of showing rather than telling
Step 5. Look for recurring errors
These are things that can be overlooked when you're drafting, but readers will quickly notice. Your character may be wearing a blue dress at the beginning of the story, but is now wearing a red dress in the same scene. Or, a character leaves the room in the middle of a conversation, but returns a few lines later, without ever being shown that he or she has returned. These little mistakes can quickly irritate the reader, so read your story carefully and make corrections.
Step 6. Read your work of fiction aloud
Sometimes, dialogue will look great on the page, but sound awkward when people are actually talking about it. Or maybe a sentence is too long and forms a paragraph, leaving you confused. Reading the work aloud helps you detect awkward text and places where something should be filled.
Part 5 of 5: Offering Your Work of Fiction
Step 1. Copy and edit your manuscript carefully
Go through each line, looking for typos, misspellings, grammatical errors, awkward words and expressions, and parts of cliches. You could be looking for a specific thing, like a misspelling, and then trying to find a punctuation error, or just trying to fix everything at once.
When copying and editing, you will usually read what you think instead of what you really want to write. If possible, ask someone else to read and edit your manuscript. A friend who also enjoys reading or writing fiction can help you spot mistakes that you didn't find yourself
Step 2. Find a journal, agency, or publisher to publish your work
Most publishers do not accept short stories, but journals usually do. Large publishers usually won't accept a solo manuscript from a writer without an agent, but some smaller publishers will gladly examine the work of novice authors. Research where you live and find a party that fits your style, genre, and publishing goals.
- There are many guides, sites, and organizations devoted to helping writers find publishers. Writers Market, Writer's Digest, Book Market, and Writing World are good places to start.
- You can also publish your own work. This is an increasingly popular option for writers. Places like Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, and Lulu, have guides on how to publish your book on their sites.
Step 3. Set the format of your work and prepare it in manuscript form
Follow all guidelines required by the publisher. Follow the manuscript submission guidelines exactly, even if they conflict with the information in this article. If the publisher asks for 1.37” margins, adjust your margins (though standard margins are usually 1” or 1.25”). Manuscripts that do not follow the guidelines will usually not be read or accepted. As a general reference, here are some rules to follow when you want to submit a manuscript.
- Create a cover page with the title of the manuscript, your name, contact information, and the number of letters. The alignment system should be centered horizontally and vertically, and spaced between each line.
- Alternatively, write down your personal information – name, phone number, email address – in the top left corner of the first page. In the right corner, write down the number of letters rounded off by 10. Press the enter key several times, then enter the title of your manuscript. This title must be centered and can be written in capital letters.
- Start the script on a new page. Use a clear and good typeface, such as Times New Roman or Courier New Set, in size 12. Set up double spacing for all text. Make your text left-aligned.
- To separate sections, use the three asterisks in the middle of the page (***), then press the “enter” key and start a new section. Start all new chapters on a new page, with the title written in the middle of the page.
- On each page (except the first page), write a header with the page number, a shorter version of the title, and your last name.
- For registration of printed manuscripts, print them on A4 (or 8½" x 11") quality paper, 90 grams thick.
Step 4. Submit your manuscript
Follow all the script submission instructions, then shut up, sit back and wait for the results!
Tips
- If you come up with an idea that doesn't really fit into your story, don't be afraid to make changes to the story. Remember, stories are made to be interesting, to surprise, and, most importantly, to express the author.
- Write down all the things you want to remember so you can look back at them. It's always easier to remember something if you write it down.
- Have fun! You can't write a good story if you don't like it yourself; You should think of this as a fun experience and write from the heart!
- Don't panic if you get stuck! Use this opportunity as a moment to experience new things and look for other ideas. Use this to make your story more quality.
- Don't overdo the fine details. You might say that a character's eyes are like gemstones, but don't write that a character has eyes that are "a tantalizing color, green like fresh grass when the sun shines on them, with hints of dark woods and exotic browns, and stripes. yellow line around the pupil. Readers will not notice this and may even be annoyed (unless your story is about those eyes).
- If you can't make up fake events, use real-world events you've experienced and add a few twists to make them attract more readers. Just make sure you change the names of the people involved so you don't hurt anyone.
- Use poetic tricks. These tricks include (but are not limited to): onomatopoeia, rhyme, alliteration, etc. There are many others. These tricks can make a book more interesting to read, not because someone reads a paragraph with a character saying "Moo" and the reader notices it, but because they sound lovely to the ear. Most people read a story and don't realize that they like the author's alliteration style.
- Your book doesn't have to be nationally recognized to be considered a good book! Is the book "A Tale of Two Cities" familiar to you? About 0.3% of readers say no. How about "The Graveyard Book"? This book is also not very popular. Have you heard of "Coraline"? Yes, yes, it is a VERY SCARY book by Tim Burton. No, you are wrong. Coraline and The Graveyard Book is an excellently written book by Neil Gaiman. A book will be more recognized if it is made into a film, and just because your book didn't get its own film doesn't mean your book isn't quality.
- The point is, look for any inspiration, and turn that inspiration into a story.
