In writing fiction, the opening events that set your story in motion are pivotal. They set the tone and mood, establish key details of character and setting (time and place), and build intrigue. Read a full definition of the inciting incident and tips and examples for making your own gripping: (more…)
Point of view in fiction often seems complex. Yet stripping back to essentials and looking at examples makes it easier to get POV right. Read a definition of third person limited followed by examples that show how to use this POV to show feelings, assumptions, and characters’ differences: (more…)
Writing the exposition of a story – the narration introducing key scenarios, themes, characters or settings – takes skill. The reader needs enough information to be curious and continue. Here are 5 examples of effective exposition, the reasons why they’re effective, and tips we can deduce: (more…)
What do we mean when we talk about ‘exposition’ in stories? ‘Narrative exposition’ is important information that gives readers your story’s background (e.g. character backstory or historical setting). Read effective exposition examples from celebrated novels: (more…)
‘Narration’ means ‘the action or process of telling a story’ (OED). There are many choices for how you narrate a story. For example, whose viewpoint is the focus? Or is the narrator a detached omniscient narrator, simply recording events like a CCTV camera? (more…)
When you want to skillfully show or change points of view examples by accomplished authors help. Read 5 examples of skillful POV that show how to change points of view in a scene, how to give third person point of view the intimacy of first person narration, and more: (more…)
Narrating a story presents many choices. How will you bring time and place into your story? Whose POV will you tell the story from? How will you show characters’ pasts? Here are 5 examples of narrative from great novels that teach us how to write narrative with different purposes: (more…)
Telling character backstory is sometimes necessary to show why your character has a specific motivation or mindset. Yet it’s important to learn how to write backstory that will not bog your novel down in constant harking back to prior events that occurred before the present time of your narrative. Read 5 tips for using backstory better: (more…)
Writing flashbacks is an important skill to master if your novel cuts across time periods or strongly features characters’ memories. Here are 7 key steps for how to write a flashback scene: (more…)
There is no basic formula for how to start a novel in third person. Yet working with third person POV presents specific choices, challenges and advantages. Here are 7 tips for beginning a book in third person: (more…)
