What You Need to Know About Fiction

Fiction comes from the Latin word “fictum” which means “created”. It is a branch of literature that is solely based on imagination which contains characters, events, settings, plot, themes, and style that are not based on facts but are only products of the writer’s creativity and imagination.

The story can also be influenced by culture, tradition, and belief but its perspective relies on the artistic prowess of the writer and how he/she intends to give message and meaning of the content of his work through the roles of the characters and the storyline.

Elements of Fiction:

Setting is a fundamental element because it allows visualization and imagery for the readers/audience in following what goes on with the story. It is referred to as the context in which scenes occur at the given time, place, environment, and even atmosphere that is described in the story by which the mood and tone are also identified accordingly. In literary criticism, the setting is analyzed according to the background, geographical location, and historical place in time.

Characters are the reason behind the complexity and diversity of a literary piece because they help extend the plot and are either affected or the ones that affect the story. Their roles depend according to their purpose in the story just like how the protagonists are the focus or lead and their perspectives are the center of attention or how the antagonists are the villains or “bad guys” that oppose the main characters or how the supporting characters are relevant to either of the two (protagonist or antagonist). Specifically, characters are categorized into three types:

Round Character – most protagonists in the fictional genre are round characters. These types of characters are dynamic and complex and they develop/grow throughout the story. The writer employs details and descriptions of their characteristics and the readers can identify them since they are more developed and the story revolves around them. This character also engages the reader’s imagination and empathy and allows them to place themselves in the character’s shoes.

Flat Character – they are the opposite of round characters and they are only incidental. These characters have little to no complex personalities (only one or two traits that make up their whole personality) and are both predictable and superficial which, in other words, they lack in substance or depth. Flat characters are two-dimensional and are also mistaken as static characters and although they are related, they are completely different concepts.

Static Character – this type of character does not undergo significant changes throughout the course of the story. Their personality and characteristic remain exactly the same regardless of the setting, mood or tone. Flat characters can be static but static characters cannot be flat characters.

Plot is the sequencing of major events from the beginning, middle to end. It is thought of as a “connector” because it affects the cause and effect and answers the questions of what goes on to the characters and the story. It is a very important element because due to the sequencing, the readers learn more about the characters, their struggles, significant events, and even the moral of the story. There are three types of the plot which are the following:

Conventional/Traditional Plot – this type of plot follows the five standard plot elements: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution or denouement. It follows a dramatic, chronological plot all in this order which means it can be somewhat predictable as it follows a specific sequence.

Unconventional Plot – this type of plot does not follow a specific sequence of the elements mentioned in conventional/traditional plot. It uses a format that does not directly relate or follow those elements (some elements may be used while the others are left out). This type of plot may use the following devices:

Flashback – a part or device of the unconventional plot that includes interjected scenes that bring the narrative back to a specific memory, event or time. They occur abruptly to explain background information based on the character’s perspective and memory.

Foreshadowing – this serves as an advanced hint which appears at the beginning of the story or chapter to help give the readers expectations about what will happen in the story. It isn’t a summary but a clause, sentence, or paragraph that will occur later on. 

In Media Res – this is taken from the Latin word which means “in the middle of things.” It is starting the story in the suspenseful middle part of the plot in order to capture the reader’s attention. It may use some flashbacks to explain what happened or let the readers identify the flow of the story by themselves.

Flat Plot – this type of plot lacks complexity, it simply does not have conflicts or challenges met by the character(s) which are supposed to be important for the growth and diversity of the story. There are no significant elements of rising action or climax of events because it is uncomplicated and simplistic in its entirety.

Point of View refers to the character narrating the story. It is the voice and the eyes of the story in which the narrative is told according to the character’s perspective. The plot, settings, characters, relationships, events, and feelings are followed according to the narration. There are three types of point of view which are the following:

First Person – this point of view is easily identified because it narrates and tells the story using “I” and other subjective-personal pronouns. This narrator is often the main character or a round character of the story.

Third Person – this point of view is narrated by a character that is outside of the story. It is identified by the use of pronouns such as “he, she, they” to tell the feelings of the characters, the settings, and events of the story.

Omniscient – this may also be a subcategory of the third person point of view but its narrator is all-seeing and all-knowing. Unlike the other point of views which rely on the understanding or perspective of the narrator, omniscient can occasionally access and reveal the subconscious of the characters in order to explain what they were thinking, explain the reasons for their actions, and uncover the themes, settings, and plot of the story.

Theme refers to the central idea (subject matter or topic) or the underlying message of the story. The authors’ belief or view of the world may be revealed according to the theme(s) of their work. It is identified according to the plot, settings, characteristics, and role of the characters, events, and the environment of the story. The most common themes in fiction are good vs. evil, courage & perseverance, and love.

Now that all elements of fiction have been mentioned, the novels, short stories, and novella should now be given light as these three belong to the fictional genre.

Novels – these are long narrative works of fiction based on the imagination of the author which may be inspired by real events, history, or culture. Novels are book-length and include the same elements of fiction: setting, characters, point of view, plot, and theme. The characters are fictional and contain human qualities and their roles may also be inspired by real people. The content and flow of the story are divided into chapters which makes it more complex and diverse with its multiple settings & themes.

Short Stories – these are fictional forms/pieces that contain well-developed themes but are less elaborate compared to novels and can be read in one sitting. It focuses on one plot and mostly has a simplified setting with only one or two characters that do not have backstories. This fictional piece is concise and concentrates on one format and does not have a maximum length in words but it is usually around 10 to 25 pages.

Novellas – the word originated from Latin and means “new.” These fictional pieces are referred to as “short novels” or long short stories which means they are shorter compared to novels and longer compared to short stories. It doesn’t contain complicated plots, multiple points of view, backstories, or chapters.  Mostly, it is concerned with the emotional and personal development of the character(s). In novellas, character development and themes are extended without too much structural detail, without being too short or too long.