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2008-06-23 14:36:28

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The Art of Fiction

This is Part of the Literature Department here at the Elftown Academy. Here I will do my best to present to you simple lessons I have had to learn the hard way about writing fiction and getting a manuscript fit for publishing. Below are the topics I will cover. Feel free to post links to your practice pages which I encourage as part of this class.

Please send me a message when you sign up.
Taught By: [Runingwhispers]

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Students:

1. [miekje]
2. [Tears of the Dead Star] - Shaladi's Writings
3. [Shadowsoul]
4. [Kitara Softpaw] - Kitara's Fictional Writings
5. [Rosette]

Introduction
Do not mistake your premise to be the story, its only the first step.
Remember to work with what makes you comfortable.

You may deviate from the outline when you need to, to keep the story moving, but remember to track changes and edit earlier parts so that everything makes sense, or your readers will be really pis*ed

Don't worry about spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Just write. Get all the ideas down.
If it doesn't support the main theme or plot, leave it out

Proof/rewrite, if necessary, using Spell, Thesaurus, and Grammar checkers.

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Story Development:

1. Generate charts, possibly with a word processor or database program to track characters events, places, historical data, etc.

2. What's the major theme – outline (well go on write it down)

3. The story must be entertaining, remember to add conflict and action as rime considerations.

4. Make the story line short, several paragraphs, Include conclusion

5. Organize plots and subplots and how they link (and lead) to the climax

6. Organize those into chapters (noting single themes relating to time, crisis, characters and/or place(s)

7. Do Your Research on places and events, try to follow the order in which they occurred or stick to what you know, otherwise invent something believable.

Note: Many successful writers prepare a synopsis of the plot after writing the first three chapters of the book. At that point, the characters have taken shape, and the writer has a good idea of where the story is going. This is useful as a guide, and gives the writer assurance that there is a middle and end to the story. When the novel is complete, it may not completely follow your original plan, but at least you will not have been groping around aimlessly. Do not become a slave to the plot line; it can always be changed to improve the story.

There is an organic unity to the relation of the structure of the novel to the composition of each scene within the story. The novel is a sequence of scenes, followed by sequels. Each scene is constructed in the pattern of the novel, with a beginning, a middle and an end. Each element of the scene has the same dramatic purpose as the corresponding element of the story. - Dunahue

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Character Development

1. Make them real and believable, like people you know from everyday life. But don't fall into the temptation to make them a lot like someone you know. This is fiction, so use only bits of their personalities.

2. Create a chart for every character (at least the major ones at the minimum) to help you track them (your readers will notice – trust me). You could fashion it out to some thing like the one below, or anything that works for you.
Age, Height, build, Eye and Hair color, Birth Date, Birth Place, Scars/handicaps, Education, Work, Best friend(s), Marital status, disposition, Philosophy. etc

3. Similar Names: be careful not to confuse your readers by giving your characters similar names like Sammy and Manny, or Fred and Ted. They sound too much alike and if you are like me and hear the names in your head this could get annoying.

4. Name Variations: When shortening a name in the story for any reason, try to stick to one variation. For instance Samuel: Sam and Sammy, or Margaret: Maggie, Marge and Meg. Using two or more variations is inconsistent and could also be a little confusing.

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Working with your Premise
Conflict the driving force
Padding and plotting
Description
Rewriting
Editing
Manuscript Preparation and Thinking like the Editor

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Back to Literature or the Elftown Academy

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2005-02-26 [Tears of the Dead Star]: I'd really like to join. How do I add my name to the list? Sorry Im new, and very confused

2005-02-28 [Runingwhispers]: first step click on the 'edit this page' button just above the comments and then look for where to add your name. When you do just click on 'submit changes' finally start watching this page, thats another button right at the bottom of the page.

2005-02-28 [Runingwhispers]: I am working on all the lessons, and will put them up at the same time.

2005-03-05 [Runingwhispers]: I beg your pardon, The Literature link doesn't work right thats why I updated 2 million times

2005-03-10 [Runingwhispers]: Now I have figured out the problem and corrected it. The Literature link works now. I did not get a notification that we had a new student. WELCOME!

2005-03-10 [Shadowsoul]: thanks

2005-06-12 [Kitara Softpaw]: When I write a story...I just write, I don't make outlines, unless it's non-fiction, then I do sometimes

2005-06-12 [Kitara Softpaw]: But that's the way I am -.-' I can only write when I'm in a mood.

2005-06-14 [Tears of the Dead Star]: Ok... I just got bombarded with a strange.... ideas... and I wrote it lol but I didn't know what it was... it was like, it came flowing. I couldn't tell if it's the beginning, or the end... then I realized... it's just wierd... ya know... like when a really really weird movie just doesn't flow... exactly... but yet it does... I know weird... but I don't know how to write like that... can you help

2005-06-14 [Kitara Softpaw]: I know what you mean...same with me ^^' Actually, I do all of those things, for my RP characters and for my stories....it's just all in my head ^^' Which is very full, considering I think I have almost 200 RP characters

2005-06-15 [Tears of the Dead Star]: Wow, ok well Im glad Im not the only one like this lol.. it was wierd lol just out of my norm for writing, and it surprised me took me of my comfort zone lol if you have any tips for writing like that, I'd love to hear them, thank you

2005-06-15 [Kitara Softpaw]: Hmm, writing like that?? Just let it flow and see what happens

2005-06-15 [Runingwhispers]: my trick is to write when I am comfortable...thats the key...you don't have to follow the guidelines

2005-06-15 [Runingwhispers]: when you should follow the guidelines is when you are submitting your work to an editor

2005-06-15 [Runingwhispers]: Shaladi-just keep writing what comes to mind if you type and you think its better to write on paper to get it done faster then do that or get a tape recorder. You may want to leave it after the story stops coming for about a day or two, or even longer and then look at it again. It may be the makings of a great story

2005-06-15 [Runingwhispers]: Okay, here is an idea...you can create wikis and post the links here so that we can read what you have and if anyone has an critism (constructive would be better) you may comment

2005-06-15 [Runingwhispers]: Always remember DO WHAT MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE...thats in the introduction

2005-06-15 [Kitara Softpaw]: I'll make a wiki...I've been intending to do so since I singed up, I'm just sorta extremely busy on ET

2005-06-15 [Kitara Softpaw]: I know that I only have a poem up, but that's because.....I don't have nay of my stories on this computer...I write everything on paper

2005-06-15 [Tears of the Dead Star]: How do you create a wiki?

2005-06-17 [Kitara Softpaw]: Search for a wiki with your desired name. If it is empty, press the edit wiki page button, and add your text and, is desired, your password

2005-06-17 [Tears of the Dead Star]: Thank you for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

2005-06-17 [Kitara Softpaw]: You're welcome *bows*

2005-06-17 [Tears of the Dead Star]: shaladi's writings thas my wiki for my writings, again, thanks for your help

2005-06-17 [Runingwhispers]: :)

2005-06-17 [Kitara Softpaw]: Hey, anyone like the poem??

2005-06-18 [Runingwhispers]: what poem...I am a little lost

2005-06-18 [Kitara Softpaw]: One my writing page, tis the only thing up ^^;

2005-06-19 [Tears of the Dead Star]: Oh wow, I love your poetry,

2005-06-20 [Kitara Softpaw]: Thanks ^^'

2005-06-20 [Runingwhispers]: grrr no time to be online and my connection seems to be messing up...i will have to copy all the pages and read them during lunch

2005-06-21 [Runingwhispers]: I like the imagery acorna, its lovely

2005-06-21 [Kitara Softpaw]: Thank You.....I RP a lot, been into it for about four years now

2005-07-15 [wolvie!]: How do you sign up?

2005-07-16 [Runingwhispers]: add your name to the list and start watching the page...thats it. If you have any questions on what has been covered then ask here...

2005-08-02 [wolvie!]: I'm not sure how you add your name to the list though I've tried to click on it and nothing happens. I don't mean to bother you but can you please help. Thank you very much.

2005-08-02 [Runingwhispers]: I hope you are watching the page by now, that button is just below. To add your name to the list click on the 'Edit this page' button above the comments and find the list in the editable text area...then 'Submit changes to this page'. remember to put your ID in the elftown handles [ ]. Thats it!

2005-08-02 [Kitara Softpaw]: I should be giving you guys links to my RP character bios...they are the most descriptive fiction I do here...

2005-08-04 [wolvie!]: Thank you so much your realy helpful. This is my first month on elftown so I've been realy confused. Thanks again for your help.

2005-08-04 [Runingwhispers]: Read up and participate as best you can.

2005-08-27 [Kitara Softpaw]: I feel blah - I haven't written anything in ages x.x

2005-08-30 [Runingwhispers]: Here is something I would like everyone to have a go at...see the mainstreet for the deatils of the Elftown Prose Contest (participation will earn you an official badge and experience)

2005-09-05 [Kitara Softpaw]: ...er, I'll try

2005-09-05 [Kitara Softpaw]: Hmm, can I enter my story using Neopets?

2005-09-05 [Runingwhispers]: Neopets...i don't kow how that works. but if the story is yours even though previously published may be accepted, you could ask them

2005-09-08 [Kitara Softpaw]: It's not actually preciously published....I just sorta wrote it, about a Ruki and a Draik and Sloth

2005-09-08 [Runingwhispers]: you own the copyright, you can put it anywhere...especially at the contest

2005-09-08 [Tears of the Dead Star]: How do you own the copyright?

2005-09-08 [Runingwhispers]: hmm interesting question (that means I have never had to explain it) there are many ways to copyright your work, officially by getting it registered, or a simple way would be to mail it to your self (but don't open the envelope) the crossed stamp makes it govenment sealed...makes sense? if there is a dispute, it is admisable in court, the date on the stamp shows when you got it 'copyrighted'

2005-09-08 [Kitara Softpaw]: I don't have it 'copyrighted' but I wrote it and noone else has ever read it ^-^ Neo never even saw it. But I didn't know because it involves Neopian thingsq

2005-09-09 [Runingwhispers]: hmm read the rules for the contest, and tell me if you have any of the characters that fall into the description of accepted fantasy creatures

2005-09-09 [Runingwhispers]: about the copyright...many people just say their work is copyrighted,I don't know if it holds water in court without registration, in the USyou would register your work with the Library of Congress for a small fee

2006-07-30 [DemonSorcerer]: My imagination is always completely out of control. I've got an idea, made up a character, story line, problem, solution, about a million times. But I can't get the story started.

2006-07-31 [Kitara Softpaw]: If you have any part of the story, right it down it could be the middle, or the end. Then work backwards from that point. Roleplaying helps give me inspiration for some of my stories...Basically write down anything you can and go from there. ^^' I'm not the expert, but it's helped me

2006-07-31 [Kitara Softpaw]: The worst thing I have a problem with is that I'll start a story and then I will run out of ideas and I'll never finish it. Because I write down whatever comes into my mind I sometimes will start a spontaneous story and then not know where I want to take it. It's hard sometimes.

2006-08-02 [Runingwhispers]: I don't think anyone is an expert :P I have read crappy stuff from the best writters, but Acorna is right, just write down what you have and work from there outwards.

2006-08-02 [Kitara Softpaw]: Yey! I'm right. ^^' *chuckles*

2006-08-03 [Runingwhispers]: lol

2006-08-03 [Kitara Softpaw]: *pokes Whispers* Too bad this isn't a poetry class...have you seen the amount of poetry I've been uploading lately? BTW, I was wondering what you think of this --> using my poetry in my stories.

2006-08-04 [Runingwhispers]: yes I noticed, but I haven't read any yet, I have been kinda distracted. The idea is great though, I have used a bit of my poetry in stories too, plus I have seen it in alot of books. One writer used it as the main theme to solve a murder another used his as a prophecy ... you can use it any way you want, with your talent you wont have a problem finding a place to fit it ;)

2006-08-04 [Kitara Softpaw]: Thanks Whispers, for the ideas and the compliments...

2006-08-07 [Runingwhispers]: ;)

2006-08-08 [Kitara Softpaw]: And thanks for your critiques on my peoms, even though they are technically not part of this class. >.> <.< They always helpalot. I know get reviews on my poems from you and one other person almost everyt time I add a new one.

2006-08-08 [Runingwhispers]: I am not mch of a poet so no one should be listening to me :P

2006-08-08 [Kitara Softpaw]: I like to listen to you though. Anyone can give good advice, even if they can't write in the style.

2006-08-08 [Runingwhispers]: thanks... you do have great stuff on your wiki...

2006-08-09 [Kitara Softpaw]: *bows humbly* Thank you great master. ^^' *dances nimbly out of whispers reach* Just take a look at the name of our relationship...you'll get it.

2006-08-09 [Runingwhispers]: hahaha hardly... I think we all are in a way.

2006-08-09 [Kitara Softpaw]: Yes, but our relationship is termed as "aprrenticeship"

2006-08-11 [Runingwhispers]: I was referring to the relation - we are all learning in a way :). Then again with the stuff you have you will soon become a master at what you do ;)

2006-08-12 [Kitara Softpaw]: *chuckles* I doubt it...

2006-08-26 [Dsaruk]: How do I join your class?

2006-08-28 [Runingwhispers]: Just sign up by adding your name above and keep this page on watch

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