When studying fiction, a beginning writer is usually introduced to the formal elements of fiction: plot, setting, character, point of view, style, and theme. Although these elements are a good start, some of the sub-elements such as conflict, dialog, and description are entirely missing. So maybe you want to write a story today. How would you go about it? What are the elements that you will need?
Here are some elements and sub-elements of fiction that can help you write the story that is bubbling in your subconscious.
Character
This means much more than one character acting on his/her desires. It includes a protagonist and antagonist. A protagonist wants something. An antagonist wants to stop or wants something entirely different than the antagonist. It is the conflict between the two desires that powers the plot. Here are a few elements you need to make a character come alive.
- Description: What does the character look like? Where does the character live?
- Internal: What is the character's inner life? Does s/he have an inner life?
- External: What are the character's sports and/or hobbies? Does the character have a facial tic or other type of movement?
- Past History: What was this character's past religious, political, etc. history? Did this character have a traumatic childhood?
- Dialogue: How does this character speak? Dialogue can reveal much about what is important to the character whether s/he is a protagonist or antagonist
Plot
For some reason plot has been given a bad reputation the last few years. There are two types of plot: character-driven and plot-driven. A character-driven plot is one where the plot is derived by what a character might do. A plot-driven plot can be explained simply by saying genre-driven such as a mystery, romance, or fantasy.
An important element that keeps the plot from becoming stale is conflict. Conflict does not have to be major as in the character must do something or his mother will die. No, it can be something simple like a dog wetting a man's shoes just as he is going to meet his date. Conflict takes away from the character or even changes his/hers expectations.
Setting
A reader needs to know where the action is taking place. For instance, the character is on a train. S/he is thinking about the past. So where is s/he? In the train in New York, Japan, South Africa? If the reader is lost, s/he cannot enjoy your story. Dislocation is a nasty feeling. Anyway, give the reader some clues through description or titles. A few authors have put titles on the first paragraph of the chapters to let the reader know where they are such as 1989, South Africa.
Point of View
Who is talking? Who is thinking? Should you write in third or first person? There are many good reasons to write in third person (to show the reader things that the character doesn't know) or first person (to take the reader along the same path as the character). But, you should know what POV you are using for what reason. POV should be transparent to the reader. It is a very important part of the writing craft.
Style and Theme
In my opinion, style and theme although important to English Literature majors is not usually apparent to the writer. As the writer becomes better his/her voice is there. (style) And theme? If you spend your time trying to find metaphors, the theme becomes strained. Most writers don't realize the themes that they are writing about. Themes come through when the truth comes through.
Truth
Here is an element that you probably don't expect in fiction writing. But, it is very important when you are writing in any style. Tell the character's truth. The reader can hear it as they read your words. Don't force something that you know is against your character's type. I have heard the words that "we make up these characters so they should do what why say." I don't agree. We might make up these characters from our own lives and observations, but they still have their own truths.
So here are a few elements and sub-elements that I believe will make your fiction writing better. I use them in my own writing. If you are reading this, I wish you good writing. I hope to read your stories one day.
