The Complete Guide to Writing Fiction

Do you find yourself thinking in terms of plot lines and characters? Do you have a story in your mind that’s begging to be told? Are you an avid reader who wants to try your hand at the art of crafting fictional narratives?

When your story finally makes it to the page, Palmetto Publishing is here to help you with print, design, marketing, and more. Before you can schedule your first book signing, however, you need to create the story you’ll tell the world. In this guide to writing fiction, we’ll guide you through the whole fiction writing process, from selecting a genre to structuring your story to making a living storytelling.

Main Difference Between Nonfiction and Fiction Writing

There’s a vast difference between writing about real topics, individuals, and places and writing about those that stem from your creativity. So, what’s the main difference between fiction and nonfiction writing?

Fiction writing revolves around characters, events, or even a world invented by the author or imagined. Written in prose or regular language, fictional works typically involve a heavy amount of creativity and imagined elements.

Nonfiction writing is usually based on real events, people, and facts and involves less creativity than fiction. Nonfiction literature may be educational, entertaining, or both.

Elements of Writing Fiction Books

Your story is yours to craft. Be as creative as you can be while sticking to the basic building blocks of fiction.

All fiction novels contain the same quintessential elements: the character(s), plot, setting, point of view, style, and theme(s). Each element works together to create a rich and engaging story. Read on to discover how to best utilize each element.

Character

Arguably, one of the most important elements to consider as you write fiction books — both to its plot and to your readers — is the characters with which you fill it. Create powerful characters, as your readers will enjoy getting to know them and watching them grow, struggle, and triumph.

Different characters will fulfill different roles within your story. Some primary roles you’ll likely need to fill are the protagonist, the antagonist, and a foil character or two.

The protagonist in fiction writing is your story’s hero, around whom your narrative will revolve. Most choose to write from the protagonist’s perspective, allowing readers to see the story through their eyes.

Usually known as the story’s “villain,” your antagonist will be a powerful asset when their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations contrast with those of your protagonist in a meaningful way. The climax of your plot may be a powerful defeat of your antagonist by your protagonist.

Foil characters help your reader understand another character. Usually, these characters shed light on the protagonist through contrasting traits or views.

When writing fiction, you may also include a variety of side characters who assist the protagonist as they move through the story and help create a diverse world within your novel.

Describe your characters well, and give them strengths, flaws, likes, dislikes, and other relatable personality traits. Create “round” — rather than “flat” — characters by allowing the reader to peer into their psychology. Your readers should feel they’ve gotten to know them when the story’s over. Be sure to give your characters the details and backstories they’re due.

Plot

Every story needs, well, a story. A strong plot will guide your story and challenge your characters. You can choose your plot’s timeline, pacing, and structure. There are different plot types you can generally follow as you write fiction books, such as quests, tragedies, and hero’s journeys.

A good fiction writing plot contains the following key elements:

• Status quo: Your story’s introduction, detailing what your protagonist’s life is typically like.
• Inciting incident/catalyst: The event that sets your story in motion, disrupting your protagonist’s normal life.
• Rising action/conflict: The section of your story where the protagonist encounters obstacles or performs actions to advance the story and/or pursue a goal.
• Climax: The peak of your story’s action. It may be your protagonist’s “all-is-lost-moment” or their lowest point in the story.
• Falling action: This is the aftermath of the climax and the events that lead to your story’s resolution.
• Resolution: The resolution to your story’s conflict. At this point, your protagonist should have grown throughout the story’s events and perhaps view the world differently.

However your plot goes, ensure that it keeps your readers engaged throughout the story. Provide ample conflict for different characters, especially the protagonist, to overcome.

Your setting is your story’s location, period, and general environment. Your setting can make or break your novel.

The more detailed your setting (without getting too descriptive and wordy), the more realistic it will be. You may even choose to begin writing with the setting and build a world before you place your characters within it. Ensure that it paints a clear picture in your reader’s mind.

Different fiction writing genres will require different types of settings. For example, you may need to create a magic system with its own rules and intricacies when writing a fantasy story.

Point of View

Your novel’s point of view is the lens through which your reader will see the story. You can choose from three points of view (POVs): first, second, and third person.

A first-person POV uses the pronoun “I.” First-person narratives place the reader inside the main character’s head.

Second-person POVs use the “you” pronoun. In these stories, the reader is the main character. Popular in certain genres that allow readers to choose their own paths and turns of events, second-person narratives address the reader and draw them into the story.

A third-person POV can be used in two distinct ways: third-person limited and third-person omniscient. A third-person limited narrative is told by a narrator and only from one character’s perspective (usually the protagonist’s). The third-person omniscient style includes multiple characters’ perspectives throughout the story.

Style

Your stylistic choices are very important when it comes to writing fiction. You are free to choose your words, pace, structure, and syntax and create your unique voice as an author, and your style will set the tone and feel of your story. For example, a novel rich in metaphors can have added depth, and long sentences can contribute to a stream-of-consciousness style. As you write, you’ll discover what you like and dislike. Remember the words of famed author Ernest Hemingway, who said, “prose is architecture, not interior decoration” (Hemingway).

Theme

Your story’s theme refers to what it “means” or the message — or moral — conveyed by the story. One of our writing tips for fiction is to convey this to your readers via symbolism or the consequences of a character’s actions.

Choose a message that you believe in. Your story can portray whatever you want it to — about society, life, good and evil, or anything important to you.

Types of Fiction Genres

Fiction refers to literature that is imagined or based on created events, characters, etc., but there are many genres for an author to choose from. Work within each genre shares similarities in style, plot, and setting. Selecting a genre can help you gain insight and direction into how to craft your story.

Romance

Romantic fiction centers around just that: romantic relationships between characters. The romance genre is typically associated with tension, desire, and drama themes. Usually, a romance story’s protagonists will have to overcome obstacles to be together.

Fantasy

If you prefer not to be bound by the laws of reality, fantasy might be just the genre for you. Fantasy fiction writing is usually characterized by mythical creatures, fantastical kingdoms and lands, and otherworldly or magical concepts. These novels are typically set in ancient or medieval times but can take place in any setting and period you’d like. Utilize world-building to transport readers into a world of your own making, with any magic systems and mythical attributes you desire.

Science Fiction

The science fiction genre, also known as sci-fi, shares some similarities with fantasy. These stories take place in a different timeline than the reader is used to — usually the future — and sometimes on another planet or in a different universe or dimension. Sci-fi novels typically revolve around themes of human evolution, technology, and futuristic society (utopia/dystopia). The plot of a sci-fi novel may center on a threat to humanity, a dangerous advancement in technology, or life in a post-apocalyptic world.

Young Adult

Young adult — or YA — novels are written to a teenage audience aged 12–18. Coming-of-age themes are a genre staple, and a YA story may overlap with another genre.

Mystery

Readers will always appreciate a classic whodunnit. The mystery genre is characterized by a mysterious twist or element, usually a crime, that the protagonist must solve.

Suspense/Thriller

Often described as “page-turners,” suspense and thriller novels are designed to keep readers hooked and engaged. These stories typically involve pursuit, danger, and threats (even dark ones). A writing tip for fiction thrillers is to utilize cliffhangers and effective rising action for maximum suspense.

Realistic Fiction

If you find beauty or intrigue in the ordinary, you may choose to write a work of realistic fiction. This fiction writing genre is characterized by ordinary and lifelike characters, plots, and settings. Realistic fiction can contain relatable messages based on believable, real-life situations.

Though your novel will likely fall into a distinct genre, you don’t need to feel bound to every convention of that genre; many novels contain elements typical of multiple genres. Researching your primary chosen genre will, however, provide you with inspiration as to how to write a compelling story.

Writing fiction — no matter the genre — is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Once you’ve honed your craft and put your story to paper, Palmetto Publishing is here to help you find the perfect readers and share your story with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve just received some key writing tips for fiction. If any questions still stick around, we’ve compiled some answers below.

What are examples of fiction writing?

Fiction refers to literature of any length based on imaginary or invented subjects. Works of fiction typically fall into the following categories, though some stories may fall into overlapping genres:

• Romance
• Fantasy
• Science fiction
• Young adult
• Mystery
• Suspense/thriller
• Realistic fiction

What are the elements of fiction writing?

The basic elements of a work of fiction are as follows:

• Characters
• Point of view
• Plot
• Setting
• Style
• Theme

Conclusion

Beloved by readers worldwide, fiction as a literary art form can be a fun, fulfilling, and challenging venture for a writer. Armed with knowledge about the sub-genres, structures, and intricacies of fiction, it will help you create a story that will enchant readers and fulfill your writing dreams.

If a career in fiction writing seems like the move for you, link up with the best teammates in the publishing business. With services including editing, printing, illustrations, marketing, cover design, and interior formatting, Palmetto Publishing is the firm you can trust to take your beloved story to the world.