Fiction writing is more difficult than writing nonfiction as it requires good imaginative powers and writing skills. The following section provides some tips on getting started with this genre.
In our life we go through many different phases feeling a plethora of emotions. We see many incidents taking place around us which we subconsciously save in our memory. Some people bring these forth by way of creative mediums such as singing, dancing, acting, or writing.
Just like any other art form, fiction writing also becomes perfect with practice. Grasp of the language, as well as the ability to creatively put a point across determines any person's success in this field. There are also some basic writing tips which every aspiring writer should be aware of to be able to bring out his best in writing.
Components of the Story
There are in all six components of a story. A fiction writer needs to work on each of them to develop the story completely.
These components are--the main plot, the theme, the characters, the setting (the era and location where the story takes place), the character dialogs, and the point of view of the narrator with regards to the characters and events taking place.
Developing a Style of Writing
Every writer should develop his own unique style of writing. The use of language and the choice of words should be solely dependent on the demands of the story.
Sometimes a new writer uses a lot of long words or decorative language to show his vocabulary, which should be avoided. Be concise, concrete, and specific while writing, as the readers tend to enjoy such writing more.
Recreating, not Retelling
Use your imagination to the fullest. The story and writing style should be such that the entire scene is recreated in the mind of the reader and he is able to visualize it. At no point should a reader feel that he is reading something unreal.
The Opening Page
The first paragraph or the first page of a fiction novel should be written in an interesting or catchy manner.
Many times, if the reader does not find the beginning compelling enough, he tends to discard the novel. So write the first page with a lot of creativity and imagination.
Authenticity
Being authentic when giving out technical details or descriptions is very important. Writers should cross check all facts before including them in their story, because if the readers detect that the author has given some wrong or false information, they can be put off or feel offended by it.
Revision
At the end of writing any story or book, revise it a number of times to see if anything is missing or if anything needs to be changed or modified before submitting it to a publisher. You can ask a fellow writer or friend to proofread it for you.
There are some exercises such as building stories around writing prompts, which you can undertake to brush up your skills. Writing cannot be bound by any hard and fast rules. Hence, write the way you think will bring out the essence of the story as well as the personality of the characters in the most lucid way.