I have a very basic writing question. When your write a fiction, how do you write it? Is there any specific format you need to follow or there is a basic guideline at least? For example, when you write an essay, you following something like this:

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4. Thesis: Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. It's practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear thesis.

5. Outline: Sketch out your essay before straightway writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essay's order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified.

6. Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the reader's attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument.

(Note: The title and first paragraph are probably the most important elements in your essay. This is an essay-writing point that doesn't always sink in within the context of the classroom. In the first paragraph you either hook the reader's interest or lose it. Of course your teacher, who's getting paid to teach you how to write an essay, will read the essay you've written regardless, but in the real world, readers make up their minds about whether or not to read your essay by glancing at the title alone.)

7. Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay.

8. Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her know exactly what.

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"How to Write an Essay -- 10 Easy Steps": A Step-by-Step Guide For Students Writing Essays, or For College Instructors Teaching Essay Writing (http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/)


But is there any how-to-write-a-fiction guideline like this or ... it's totally up to you???

I don't think there's a proper format, it's up to you. But what you say in your first sentence should have some kind of connection with the rest of the paragraph. Just write is my best advice, or keep searching around here to learn more about writing, or even try google. :)

what do you mean by 'a fiction'?... a short story?... a novel?...

i don't recommend how-tos for learning how to write creatively [other than for screenwriting, where it's a must]... the best way to learn how to write fiction is to read lots of the work of the most respected writers of the kind of writing you want to do... see how they do it...

No there is absolutely no guideline or format for fiction writing other than the basic tenants of writing. The rest is up to you. You can say what you want, how you want. The difference is that fiction readers are a little more fickle than your essay readers.

i'm sure you meant to type 'tenets' koz... but i like the freudian slip!... refers to one's characters nicely... ;-)

Fiction is writing something that is completely made up and has (almost) no rules. You just need a basic structure for the plot and proper English. The characters are basically your imaginary friends. ;)

Are you asking the basic structure of writing, like paragraphs or sentences? Or is it more detailed, such as first/second/third person, when to end a chapter, how to create an excellent plot (see Plot Creations on the forum for more help), etc.?

I can answer to the best of my ability if you will narrow down your questions. For now, here are a few good websites for beginning writers:

Fiction Factor - Writing Tips for Fiction Writers (http://www.fictionfactor.com/)
Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Poetry, Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, Poetry Contests, Writing Contests (http://www.writing.com/)
Writing Tips, Tutorials: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays... (http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/writing.htm)
Fiction writing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiction_writing)

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask questions! :)

mypen... don't know about others, but your teeny-tiny lavender font is near-impossible for my aged eyes to read [even with my glasses on]... can you forego 'delicately pretty' for 'legible'?... pretty please?

love and hugs, maia

Are you asking the basic structure of writing, like paragraphs or sentences? Or is it more detailed, such as first/second/third person, when to end a chapter, how to create an excellent plot (see Plot Creations on the forum for more help), etc.?


Well, here's the reason why I asked this question. I've been showing my short stories to my friend. He tells me that the core message isn't very clearly conveyed in any of my stories. So, I'm wondering if I should add something like introduction and conclusion until I get to the point which I can just write and articulate my ideas without employing a specific format ...

Funny thing is about fiction is that there are a myriad different theories about how to write fiction. Structures and layouts are ten a penny. Choose what you feel cumfortable with.

I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but here I am now.

While adding an introduction and conclusion are basic necessities in any piece of writing, it's probably not the intro or conclusion that needs to be fixed, it seems like the plot is unclear.

What I would do in this situation is this: Leave your stories alone for several days, maybe a week, and look at it with fresh eyes. Then be honest with yourself. Is the message conveyed? If the answer is no, then is the time for revision.

Make sure that your scenes are killer --every scene needs a purpse.-- Don't write just to write. That's overrated; write to get a point across.

Perhaps the reason your plot isn't getting through is an alternative plotline. Do you have a second plot, such as love or w/e? If so, abandon that completely until you get the hang of making your first plot clear.

I cant tell you all to much in this situation because I obviously havent read the work in question. If you want to post it in the short stories forum, go ahead and let me know and maybe I can answer it more clearly after reading the story.

--Mammamia, I changed the font, I hope that helps, but I just cant part from my pretty color. ;) Black Comic Sans is just so...boring. :)

While adding an introduction and conclusion are basic necessities in any piece of writing,

???... all writing certainly does not need to have an 'introduction' so i don't know what you can mean by that...

as for the font, the size is now a little bit bigger, though still needs to be the next size up, for older eyes like mine... but that lavender is still too close to the background color to be read easily... can't you at least deepen the hue, to make a better contrast?...