What is fiction?

Fiction is writing that draws on your imagination. It might have some emotional truth, or might
be inspired by reality, but the writing takes the reader somewhere else.

Fiction tends to use language that is more descriptive and often poetic.

Examples of fiction include:

poetry
plays
novels
short stories

You will be working on shorter pieces of imaginative writing, inspired by pictures. You might be
asked to write about a time, real or imagined, when you, or someone you know, had to do
something – for example:

a time when you had to rise to a challenge

a time when you had to overcome a fear
a time when you did something you weren’t proud of
a time when you were successful

An engaging opening
In a story or novel, the first paragraph has a lot of work to do. It needs to grab the
readers’ attention and hook them into the story.

The opening sets the tone and creates intrigue. For example, The Hunger Games by
Suzanne Collins opens with:
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers
stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding only the rough
canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams
and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the
day of the reaping.

This is an effective opening that offers threads for the reader to follow. Collins creates
intrigue by giving enough detail to create a sense of place, but not so much that we
learn everything at once.

We want to find out more about Prim – who is she? Why does she have bad dreams?
We also want to know what the narrator means by ‘the day of the reaping’.

The details in this opening passage create a sense of place. We learn from the ‘rough
canvas cover’ and the fact that the narrator shares a bed with her sister, that this is a
poor family. The mother is mentioned, but not the father, so another question is posed –
where is their father?

Story arc (Plot)

Most fictional (and non-fictional) stories follow a recognisable pattern. One pattern that
is familiar to readers is the five-stage story arc. This structure is also used in films and
television shows.

A five-stage story arc takes the reader through the following stages:

exposition - an opening that hooks the reader and sets the scene
rising action - builds tension
climax, or turning point - the most dramatic part of the story
falling action - realises the effects of the climax
resolution - the story is concluded
Think back to the last book you read - where were the five points to the story?
For example, Cinderella

1. Exposition - Cinderella’s mother has died and the stepmother moves in

with her two daughters.
2. Rising action – the ‘ugly sisters’ make Cinderella do the housework and
don’t invite her to the ball.
3. Climax – with a little help from her fairy godmother, Cinderella makes it to
the palace ball and dances with the prince.
 4. Falling action - the prince finds Cinderella’s glass slipper and travels the
country to find her.
5. Resolution – despite the efforts of the ugly sisters, the prince finds
Cinderella. They get married and live happily ever after.

Next time you read a book or watch a film/television programme, notice how it fits into
this story structure. What hooks you in at the start? What obstacles do the characters
face? What is the most dramatic part or turning point in the story? How is the story
resolved?

A convincing close
Aim to finish your story in a convincing way, tying up all the loose ends. Aim to resolve
the story and leave your reader feeling satisfied with the way the story ends.

Note that cliffhangers can work well as chapter endings in novels, but they can be less
satisfying at the end of a short story!

Ending a short story

The ending of a story doesn't necessarily have to be happy but it has to make sense in a way that
ties up what has happened.

There are different types of story endings, for example:

 The cliff-hanger - this isn’t an ending as such, it’s a way of tempting the reader to read the next
chapter or instalment. Charles Dickens wrote his chapters like this as they were originally
published in magazines in serial form. For example, does the spy manage to stop the bomb in
time?
 The twist-in-the-tale - the reader will feel fairly sure about the ending, but in the final part
everything changes and we are surprised. For example, we learn that it isn’t a bomb after all,
it’s a birthday present!
 The enigma ending - the story stops, but the reader is left a little unsure what will come to
happen, yet is intrigued by the possibilities - and still feels satisfied. For example, the bomb is
defused and everyone is safe, but then an army commander reports the theft of another
bomb... only this time twice as powerful.
There are many possibilities; but there are two endings you should try to avoid:
Try to avoid the trick ending

The trick ending - a bomb will inevitably explode and as it does, the narrator
wakes up - it was all a dream. This is too clichéd and unsatisfying for modern
readers.
The disconnected ending - the secret agent suddenly stops worrying about the
bomb, retires, and goes off to play golf. Readers don't like this because the
ending has nothing to do with the story – very unsatisfying.
Whatever kind of story you write, work out a satisfying ending and include it in your
plan.

Remember, writing that is creative and imaginative needs to be

entertaining. You need to experiment a little and not be frightened to
try something new.
Paragraphs
A paragraph is a group of sentences that all link to one topic or theme. For example in the
opening to The Hunger Games, the entire paragraph focuses on the narrator waking up and
realising that her sister is missing. The details of the bed, the name of her sister and the questions
about bad dreams are all connected.

In fictional pieces of writing, paragraphs help the reader to move through the story.

When should I start a new paragraph?

Paragraphs are like signposts for your reader. A new paragraph usually indicates a
change of time, place, topic or person.

Remember when to start a new paragraph with the acronym TiPToP:

Ti – Time

Start a new paragraph when you move to a new time in your narrative. Your
paragraph might begin with Later, In the evening, That afternoon or another
time indicator.
P – Place

Start a new paragraph when you move to a different place in your story.
To – Topic

Start a new paragraph when you change topic, start a new piece of action, or
move to a new idea in your story or descriptive writing.
P – Person

Start a new paragraph when you focus on a different character, or when you use
dialogue.
How can I use paragraphs for dramatic effect?
Paragraphs can also be used to highlight tense or significant moments within your
writing. For example, a short one-sentence paragraph is likely to add tension or
highlight a turning point in a narrative.

Language

Use a range of vocabulary

A wide range of vocabulary demonstrates a strong command of language and makes your writing
more lively, engaging and interesting to read. Be creative with your vocabulary and
avoid clichés.
Keep a list of new words that you encounter and use them in your writing. Endeavour to make
sophisticated vocabulary choices where you can.

A thesaurus or synonym dictionary can be useful for expanding your vocabulary. However,

always check the meanings of unfamiliar words and find out how best to use them in a sentence.

Complicated doesn’t always mean better. Simple words are

sometimes more effective.
Example: ‘The petite feline devoured its daily nourishment.’

or ‘The small cat ate its food.’

Which do you think conveys its meaning most effectively?

Use figurative language

Figurative language offers depth and colour to your fiction writing. Literal language
states things as they are, whereas figurative language implies more layers of
interpretation. You can use a range of literary devices to add depth to your fiction
writing. Here are a few suggestions:

Literary
Definition Example
device

Comparing one thing

The cat was as fat as a barrel. / She felt like
Simile to another using ‘like’
she was trapped in a box.
or ‘as’.

Metaphor Using one thing to His coat was a museum, stuffed with bus ticket
 Literary
Definition Example
device

represent another. memories and forgotten button dreams.

Repetition of the initial

Alliteration consonant sound in a Kate kicked the cupboard door and cried.
series of words.

Giving human
Personification attributes to non- The door reached open, inviting him in.
human things.

Words that sound like The bell clanged and clattered through the

Onomatopoeia
the noise they signify. house.

Aim to match your language to the mood of your piece. For example, if you are writing about a
topic that is sad or sinister, 'the clouds gathered conspiringly overhead, the rumbles of thunder
like whispers between them’ would be more convincing than ‘the clouds above me floated by,
each as fluffy as a marshmallow.’
Using senses in your writing is a good way to engage your reader.

As well as the visual aspects of a scene, you can include sounds, smells, feelings and
(where appropriate) tastes to really bring your writing to life.

Compare these two descriptions:

I walked through the forest. The trees were tall. The branches were green.

I walked through the forest, crunching the leaves underfoot. The tall trees oozed a smell
of summer – fresh and sweet. The branches, covered in moss, were soft and green.

Notice how the second version becomes more vivid with the inclusion of all the senses.

Use your imagination to put yourself in the place or next to the person you want to
describe. Appeal to all the senses as you write.

Show, don’t tell

In real life we learn about people from their clothes and belongings as well as from the
things they tell us. We understand someone’s mood from their facial expressions,
movements and tone of voice – we don’t need someone to tell us they are in a bad
mood…we can usually figure it out from the way they are shouting!

It is the same when you read. Instead of telling your readers everything about a
character or place, try to show them instead.

Telling - Beverly walked into the office looking fearsome and mad.

Showing - Beverly stormed into the office, her black coat flying behind her. Her scowl
was fierce as she scanned the room. Her piercing eyes settled on Liza.

Telling - It was middle of the night and Laura walked out to the garden.

Showing - The sky was cloudless and the stars filled every inch of it. The moon glowed
on the roses, turning them silvery white as Laura tiptoed out into the dark.
Sentence variety

Use different sentence types and lengths

Using a variety of sentences can help you to create interest and tension in your writing.
Experiment with different sentence lengths and types to build atmosphere, mood and suspense.

Varying sentence length

Use your sentence lengths to reflect the pace of the action in the narrative. On a basic level, short
sentences can show a faster pace whereas longer sentences tend to slow it down.

Here is an example using a long sentence:

He looked out of the window, noticing the girl who, at that moment, was walking
towards the heavy door to the library.

Notice the difference in pace when the same scene is described with short sentences:

He looked out of the window. He noticed the girl. She was walking towards the library
door.

Varying sentence openings

Vary the way that you start sentences to keep your writing interesting and lively. For
example:

Start your sentence with a… Example

Running for her life, Sarah shouted at

verb – an action word
the bus to stop.

simile - comparing something to something

As quiet as a whisper, he turned to me.
else

preposition – indicates the position of Beyond the gate, the road stretched far
someone or something away.
 Start your sentence with a… Example

adverb – modifies or describes a verb,

Cautiously, he moved away from the lion.
adjective or another adverb

Despite the sunshine, Mr Tucker was

connective – joining word
wearing a heavy coat.

Varying sentence openings

Exercise: Give your own example. See the examples given above

Start your sentence with a… Example

verb – an action word

simile - comparing something to

something else

preposition – indicates the position of

someone or something

adverb – modifies or describes a verb,

adjective or another adverb

connective – joining word

Here’s a piece of writing that lacks variety:

I woke up. The sun was beaming through the window and warmed my face. I turned
towards it, closing my eyes to enjoy the moment. I stayed there for a moment and then
got out of bed. I padded across to the window. I opened it to hear the birds outside. It
looked like it was going to be a good day.

Although this is well written, notice that most sentences start in the same way. The
writer has mostly used simple sentences throughout.
Here is a second draft of this paragraph. Notice how the variety of sentences changes
the feel of the piece:

I opened my eyes to the warmth of the sun that was beaming through the window.
Turning towards it, I closed my eyes. Moments later I got out of bed and padded across
to the window. I opened it and heard the birds outside. I knew it was going to be a good
day.