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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

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