U N I T II : F I C T I O N W R I T I N G

Practice Activity
Below is a dialog between friends. Read the following dialog. Help solve writing problem of the two
character. Suggest your solutions.

Rico: Our teacher, Miss Gonzales, asked us to present a 15-minute skit in class. We have just two weeks
to prepare an original story. She says the story should focus on “bayanihan.” We need your help,
Jen.

Jen: Oh! Rico, that’s easy! First, we’ll just have to prepare a storyline and a script for it. How many
members does your group have?

A REVIEW OF THE ELEMENTS OF FICTION

Two of the most common forms of fiction are the short story and the novel. The short story is a
condensed narrative usually set in one particular time and place. It focuses on a character, and his or her
interests or feelings under a certain situation. The novel is longer due to its complex plot which is
presented through multiple chapters. A novel includes a main plot and subplots. A novel also has more
characters than a story.

Characters
The characters are the people in the story. Characters can often be classified as flat or round. A
round character changes over the course of the story. For example, a selfish character might become
kind and generous, or a timid character might become brave. A flat character, on the other hand, has
the same traits at the end of the story as at the start.
Examples of round character:
 Odysseus (Odyssey)
 Anna (Anna Karenina)
 Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)
 Jeremy Flinch (To Kill a Mockingbird
Examples of flat character:
 Grendel (Beowulf)
 Emily (A Rose for Emily)
 Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet)
 Jane (Pride and Prejudice)
The main character in a story is the protagonist. This is the character around whom the plot
revolves, and may also be the main point of view character in the story. The antagonist is the character
who causes problems or conflict for the protagonist. In some stories this character could be called the
villain. Other characters may be supporting characters or minor characters.

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Setting
This is an element of fiction that tells when and where the events occurred. In some stories, the
setting presents “local color” which is indicative of the scenery, language, practices, and beliefs of the
people in a certain place. It is a device used to help the readers in creating a mental picture of the
setting. Sometime the setting also affects the behavior of the characters as well as the turn of events.
Examples of fiction set in local color:
  “The Wedding Dance” by Amador Daguio
 “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” by Manuel Arguilla

Conflict
Conflict refers to the problem or complication that the character must face. It may be a clash
between characters in the story, or against other forces. A story without a conflict is nothing, because it
is what adds color. Some stories have only one main conflict, while other stories have more and
different types of conflict.
The two main types of conflict are internal and external conflict. Internal conflict is shown
through a character’s inner struggle. He or she may be torn between varying emotions or differing plans
of action. The character Gollum from the Lord of the Rings is an example of a character with internal
conflict.
External conflict can be described as man versus man, man versus nature, man versus society,
man versus culture, and man versus supernatural beings.

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Plot
This refers to the events – often in sequence – which portray characters facing conflicts. Some plots do
not follow the regular structure of a story. Authors may use flashback to highlight previous events or
foreshadowing to create suspense. Based on Freytag’s pyramid, a god plot must have the following
parts: (insert image of Freytag’s pyramid)

Point of View
Point of view tells through whose eyes we are seeing the story. It also reveals the attitude of the writer
toward the characters. It has the following classifications:
A. First Person point of view: the narrator tells the story using the pronoun “I.” He or she may be
the protagonist, a witness to the events, or a minor character.
B. Third Person point of view: the narrator tells the story using the pronouns “he,” “she,” or
“they.” It may be a limited third person, where the narrator is not involved in the story or is an
outsider. He or she relates the events, but is not one of the characters.
C. Omniscient point of view: also referred to as the “know-it-all” narrator; the narrator knows the
innermost thoughts and feelings of each character. He or she also explore the mind of every
character.

EVALUATION
Answer the following questions:
1. Give your own examples of a round character and a flat character. Explain your answer.
2. What are the parts of the plot?
3. Name different types of conflict and give an example for each type.
4. What point of view do you most often see used in stories? What do you think are the
advantages of using this type of point of view?

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 LESSSON TWO: IMAGINING AN APPROPRIATE SETTING

The setting of the story refers to where the events take place. Does the story happen in a certain
city, in another country, in the wilderness, under the sea? Does the hero go on adventures in faraway
lands or in another dimension? The setting also refers to the time period in which the events took place.
If the story happened in the sixteenth century, the setting must show houses and infrastructures that
existed during that period. If the story is sci-fi, the setting might be in the future or on a different planet.
Remember that the setting has a great effect on the characters in terms of their behavior, attitude,
lifestyle and values.

Rudyard Kipling’s book, The Man Who Would be King, shows how a detailed description is vital
in setting the scene. Details or information regarding the things that we might perceive with our sense is
an essential element in creative writing. These details will give the reader a lively scene. It is important
for the reader to be able to create a mental picture of where and when the events occur. In order to
achieve this, we must use sensory impressions which appeal to our five senses such as sight, taste,
smell, hearing, and touch. Using details with sensory impressions will create a setting that is more
realistic to the readers.
Study the following examples and try to visualize the setting using the given descriptions:
Example 1:
It was a pitchy-black night, as stifling as a June night can be, and the loo, the red-hot wind from the
westward, was booming among the tinder-dry tress and pretending that the rain was on its heels.
Now and again a spot of almost boiling water would fall on the dust with the flop of a frog, but all
our weary world knew that was only pretense. It was a shade cooler in the press-room than the
office, so I sat there wile the type ticked and clicked, and the night-jars hooted at the windows, and
the all but naked compositors wiped the sweat from their foreheads an called for water. The thing
that was keeping us back, whatever it was, would not come off, though the loo dropped and the last
type was set, and the whole round earth stood still in the choking heat, with its finger on its lip, to
wait the event. I drowsed, and wondered whether the telegraph was a blessing, and whether this
dying man, or struggling people, might be aware of the inconvenience the delay was causing. There
was no special reason beyond the heat and worry to make tension, but, ad the clock-hands crept up
to three o-clock and the machines spun their fly-wheels two and three times to see that all was in
order, before I sad the word that would set them off, I could have shrieked aloud.
-Rudyard Kipling, The Man Who Would be King
Based on this example, were you able to visualize the scene? How did the writer convey the
setting? DO the lines or details appeal to your senses? Which of the five senses were used to create the
setting? Study the second example and find lines that appeal to the senses.
Example 2:
The streets within the walls of the city are scenes of life and bustle, while in the suburbs stand the
residences of those who can afford to live in peace and quiet, undisturbed by the clamour of the Les
and Changs [i.e., the people. Le and Chang are the two most common names in China.] of the town.
There, in a situation which the Son of Heaven might envy, stands the official residence of Colonel
Wen. Outwardly it has all the appearance of a grandee’s palace, and within the massive boundary-
walls which surround it, the courtyards, halls, grounds, summer-houses, and pavilions are not to be
exceeded in grandeur and beauty. The office which had fallen to the lot of Colonel Wen was one of
the most sought after in the province, and commonly only fell to officers of distinction. Though not
without fame in the field, Colonel Wen’s main claim to honor lay in the high degrees he had taken in
 the civil officers of the district, and the position he occupied was altogether one of exceptional
dignity. -R.K. Douglas, A Chinese Girl Graduate
Where and when do you think the events took place? What kind of atmosphere is being
illustrated through the description? Do these lines help you visualize the setting? Are the lines reflective
of the five senses?
One’s goal is to allow the reader to feel like the events are really happening. As a beginning writer, it
might be difficult at first to establish the setting. One way to do this is to make an outline by listing down
your five senses and making a sample description for each sense. Using as the first example below is a
sample outline of the senses. Take note that the example for sense of taste is taken from a different
text.
1. Sight: The yellow paint was peeling off the walls in strips and bubbles, exposing the greyish wall
beneath.
2. Smell: I felt another faint stir of air, this time from that second door, and there was the strong
smell of mice.
3. Hear: The battered, deep brown wood floors creaked as I stepped farther in.
4. Touch: I stepped into the room and coughed at the musty, mildew smell that felt like it was
already clogging my throat.
5. Taste: I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox… Forgive me they were delicious so sweet
and so cold. (William Carlos Williams, “This Is Just to Say”

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LESSON THREE: CREATING A PLAUSIBLE CHARACTER

Writers aim to present interesting characters. Many readers believe that a story is only worth
reading if the characters in it are interesting and “alive.” What makes a character interesting? An
interesting character can be the main character in the story or a secondary character (the protagonist’s
best friend, an elder, a love interest, etc.). What is certain is that an interesting character must have
specific goals and must be dynamic. Being dynamic means he or she develops as a character as the story
progresses. Such kind of character has depth that many readers tend to like and consider the most
“fleshed out.” Most of the time, the writer makes sure that the most interesting characters in the story
are the protagonist and the antagonist. Some writers try to create characters that possess unique
attributes or traits. The plot depends on how the characters act or make decisions in relation to the
conflict, and the character’s actions or decisions are influenced by his or her background, personality
and character traits.

Family Background
Reveal the origin of your character.
a. What is the character’s ancestral lineage or descent?
b. What kind of culture was he or she brought up in?
c. How does his/her culture influence his/her attitude?
d. Is your character against the practices and beliefs of his/her family?

Goals and Motivations

a. What drives your character – love, wealth, fame, fidelity, or fairness?
b. What does your character yearn for? What is the innermost desire of your character?
c. Are there any obstacles or trials that prevents your character from achieving his or her goals?
 d. What or who does your character fear? What event in your character’s life contributed to that
fear?
e. What are the limitations and negative qualities of your character?
f. How is the character affected by his or her limitations and fears?

Appearance
a. What does your character look like? Describe his or her physical attributes.
b. How does the character feel about his or her appearance? IS the character satisfied with his/ her
appearance or not?
Personality
a. Is your character emotionally stable or not? What are the character’s innermost feelings?
b. Is your character expressive of his/her feelings? Is your character secretive?
c. How do other people view your character? Is your character affected by others’ perceptions of
him/her?

LESSON FOUR: CHOOSING A TYPE OF CONFLICT

We face problems on a daily basis as we profess objectives that are different from the people
we come in contact with. Agreeing on what to eat for dinner or what movie to watch after; where to go
for vacation; who brings out the trash; or what model of phone to buy, are examples of many simple
conflicts we may face each day. Choosing who to vote for; between advocating or opposing death
penalty; between renewable energy or combustible fuel; and many other big conflicts are at the center
of the most important issues facing not only our country but the whole world as well. Conflicts are an
essential part of our lives as human beings. The world of creative writing is not far off.

A story without conflict problem is lifeless. Few would be interested in a story where the
character shows ideal traits, has no worries or anxieties, faces no challenges, and has a perfect life.
Every good story must have a conflict and choosing the right conflict necessary in order to begin the
story with significant impact on the reader.

Conflict is an essential element of fiction because it helps bring out the best in the character as
well reveal the themes. Tension springs from the clash between characters or opposing forces.
Presenting a clear conflict at the beginning will definitely make the readers want to know the succeeding
events. Study the images below and tr to identify the kind of conflict encountered by the characters.

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There are many different types and writer may choose to portray one or more of these.

1. Man against himself

The character is experiencing inner struggle or is in conflict with himself. He or she must make difficult
decisions or is torn between two forces. Oftentimes, the character having an inner conflict is destroyed
by his or her own doing. Characters who surpass this type of conflict is very strong character.

2. Man against man

This is a type of conflict which shows two characters pitted against each other. This ma be fight between
the protagonist and the antagonist in the story. The characters involved in the conflict are extremely
opposite in terms of behavior, personality traits, beliefs, and principles.

3. Man against society

The character is against a group of people or society itself. This happens when the character has done
something which has greatly offended the society, he or she is part of it. Conflict is also shown when the
character cannot adjust to the ways of the people around him or her.

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4. Man against culture

The character realizes that the customs and traditions he or she must get accustomed to are
unacceptable. He or she fails to observe the culture in a certain place because the character finds the
practices peculiar to his or her own ways.

5. Man against nature

The character may have to deal with natural disasters such as storms or earthquakes. Or they may find
themselves in a harsh environment such as the middle of the ocean or desert.

6. Man, against supernatural things

The hero or protagonist must face extraordinary creatures such as gods or monsters before he can
achieve his goal.

There are some readers who expect a happy ending for their characters, while some like an
unconventional ending where the readers are left with questions in mind.

An effective writer is able to show character through conflict. It is these complications that enable
the characters to reveal their “true colors”. W admire someone who can face trials or challenges. Thus,
it is necessary that the type of conflict you choose will reveal character.

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Great fiction is achieved based on the quality and quantity of conflict I the story. As a writer, think of
other circumstances or situations that will make the conflict worse. Here are some suggestions on how
you can increase tension in the story.

 Choose the appropriate setting

The events in your story must take at the place right time and at the right place. This often
means putting the character in the worst possible situation. Tension increases when the
character struggles in the most inconvenient place.
 Involve other characters in the conflict
It is common to have two opposing forces in your story, but involving other characters will
certainly raise the stakes. Some of the characters will choose one side or the other. There is
increased tension when other characters take active part in the clash.
 Increase the complexity of events and trials the character will face
 Tension escalates when the events become more complicated for the character, and when he or
she encounters more obstacles. This leaves the reader wanting to know how the character will
respond to the challenges.
 Create a conflict that readers can identify with
Even if your characters are form a different culture or time period or even a fictional world,
there should be something in the conflicts they force that relate to the lives of the readers. This
helps the reader to identify with your characters and empathize with their struggles

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LESSON 5 DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE PLOT

Character creation and conflict selection maybe a challenging work already, but there is another
element of fiction that you might find even more difficult to do – developing a plot. Plot is defined as the
chronological sequence of events. It sounds simple and easy to do, but a writer must consider the
following questions to produce an effective plot:

1. How does the story begin?

2. What structure will the plot have?
3. How can you make the plot compelling for the reader?
4. What will be the pace of your story?
5. How is your plot connected to your characters?

By answering these questions, we get an idea of how the plot will develop. Since it is a series of

events, each event should follow logically from what has already happened. It is also linked to your
character since she or he makes decisions, that lead to succeeding events. The plot comes from the
characters’ choices, and their life situations.

Plot presents a series of connected events. One event is related to another event; each event happens
one after another. Given this definition of a plot, rearrange the events taken from a comic strip. Be able
to justify the connection between and among the events.

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Before structuring the plot, the writer must decide whether the story is character – driven or plot –
driven. If it is a plot- driven story, the emphasis is on the events and not on the characters. The
character is often “flat” or one that does not develop, because the ideal kind of character is the kind
who would not need significant changes. He or she is not given as much importance, compared to what
happens in the story. Plot - driven stories are full of thrilling events and high stakes. The result matters
more than anything else in the story. Sci – fi, adventure, and thriller stories are often plot – driven.

A character – driven story places more emphasis on character development, and how the character
changes as the story progresses. The events of the plot are not as important as the thoughts and feelings
of the characters.

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 How do you work on ploy structure? Through Freytag’s pyramid, a writer will be guided in structuring
a plot. The guidelines are as follows:

1. Exposition: The first part of your story must present inciting events which are incidents that
change the life of characters. Inciting events also deviate from their conventional flow and are
the beginning point of the story. These incidents cause a disruption in the characters life.
2. Rising Action: Complicating factors are introduced to the conflict. The complication increases
and the tension becomes very clear to the readers.
3. Climax: This is the turning point of the story. In some stories, the hero and the villain meet face
to face for a fight. In other stories, the protagonist is caught in an unconquerable or difficult
situation. The previous events and choices of the characters have led to an unavoidable
outcome.
4. Falling Action: After reaching the highest point of the story, the tension will gradually decrease.
This part will provide clues as to the ultimate resolution of the story.
5. Denouement: This is the concluding part of the story it shows what happens to the protagonist
and the other characters involved in the conflict. It presents whether the goals of the hero were
achieved or not. It gives the resolution of the story; it may be favorable, unfavorable, or
ambiguous.

LESSON 6: INCORPORATING A PLOT DEVICE

Experienced writers may incorporate a plot device in structuring their story. This is a technique
used to deviate from the conventional plot structure, where there is a beginning, a middle and an
ending. It has varied effects on the reader, and it enables them to predict the outcome. The plot device
may be in the form of a character, a material, or an idea intended to advance the plot.

The writer must avoid coming up with an arbitrary or confusing plot device. The expert writers use
a well – thought out device which is derived naturally from the characters, setting, or events.

The following are plot devices which the writer may use in structuring the plot:

1. En medias res is a technique when the story begins in the middle. Since there is no exposition,
the characters, setting, and conflict are presented through another device known as flashback.
2. Red herring is a device used to divert the attention of the readers from the twist in the plot. It is
done to keep the tension in the course of events.
3. Plot twist is an unexpected turn of events or revelation about the previous events.
4. Revers chronology is a literary technique where the story is told in reverse -- the ending is
presented at the beginning and the succeeding events lead to the exposition part.

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The characters in a story have visions either of the past or the future. Some writers use visions in
order to provide an explanation to the plot twist or to clarify the character’s motives. The following are
the most common devices illustrating vision:

1. Foreshadowing gives premonitions and clues to the future. It is also referred to as “flash –
forward”.
 2. Prolepsis is also a kind of flash forward, but it shows incidents that will happen in the future.
3. Flashback is a device used to present previous events. These events are reflective of the
character’s memories, and are often used to give clear explanations to current events, origins
and background.
4. Dream sequence is a technique where through the character’s dreams, the author can show
events that happened in a different period of time.

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There are also plot devices for the ending of the story such as the following:

1. Twist ending gives the reader an unexpected ending which often leaves the readers
disappointed or dissatisfied.
2. Happy ending shows an ending favorable to the hero; the hero ends up with his love interest or
returns home victorious.
3. Poetic justice is also a happy ending with emphasis on the good being rewarded and the bad
being punished.
4. Cliffhanger is a sudden ending or is open -ended and without a resolution. It shows the
characters trapped in a new circumstance. It is often used in thriller stories.
5. Deus ex machina was introduced by the ancient Greeks and was extensively used in their
theatre. The problem is resolved through a “god” or a character not previously involved in the
story. This character suddenly appears and solves the problem, thus creating a preferred ending.