Elements of a Story by L. A. Kelley

There are several elements that contribute to writing a novel and knowing the differences and how to use them can herd the flow of ideas into a logical story. The first is the narrative element.

Narrative

When you think of fiction, you think of narrative. Every story has to have one. Narrative is the layout, the method to connect a series of ideas into a coherent whole. Without it, a writer has a jumble of plot points, scenes, and description, but narrative connects the dots to a logical flow and is the most telling aspect of the novel. Even stream-of-consciousness (which makes no sense to me at all) has a narrative, albeit obscure. Narrative introduces the characters, defines the major conflicts, lays out the plot and describes the setting. They have a beginning, middle, and end. Narratives also have at least one theme that moves the story along toward the resolution.

There are different types of narrative. Some are linear where events move in chronological order. Some are non-linear and where author may start at the end, and then the rest of the book relates how the characters got there. Narrative also lays out the viewpoint. Who is telling the story and how much of the truth to they see?

While narrative is the major element of fiction, there are others that are generally thought of as only relating to nonfiction. However, keeping them in mind adds realism to dialogue and description.

 Expository

Expository writing explains and illuminates. It is associated with textbooks, essays, and magazine articles that are instructive and pass on knowledge or facts. fiction, every story has a Even in fiction, you eventually have to tell your reader something. A good example is in worldbuilding. How do you write a description of your fictional universe without sounding like a newspaper article? One way is to keep it short. You don’t want three pages detailing the ingredients of the wizard’s potion. Even three paragraphs are probably too much. Decide what’s important at that particular point in the story and eliminate the rest or shelve it for another chapter. In fiction, expository writing works best when you break it into sections and sprinkle it about. If the character doesn’t need the information immediately, then the reader doesn’t either.

 Persuasive

Persuasive writing is generally associated with essays. It’s used to coax the reader over to a particular point of view or a side in an argument, but it can be very useful in fiction. Eventually, characters in a book will argue or come across a situation where they need to make a choice. If they give in too quickly, they come across as wish-washy. This is particularly important when faced with a moral dilemma. Your heroine doesn’t need to sound like a lawyer. “I shall now recap the evidence to show why I should not sleep with Prince Charming until the prenup is signed.” Characters don’t need to voice every pro and con of a choice, but the writer should consider the reasons ahead of time. Plant the logical seeds early. A weak-willed character will act one way and strong-willed another.

Descriptive

Descriptive writing is exactly what it sounds like; it is used to paint a picture in the reader’s head of a person, place or thing. It’s important in science fiction and fantasy world-building, but equally so in a contemporary novel. The objects around a character must feel as real to the reader as the characters, and not unrealistic add-ons. You want the reader to get lost in the words as if it’s a real world. The right descriptions add logic to the story. This may sound strange in fantasy and science fiction. They aren’t innately logical. They don’t have to be. They only have to feel logical. This means a magical system, for instance, has to conform to rules. Who can use it; when, where, and how? The planet where the rocket ship landed also needs rules such as a climate and populace that makes sense. Sorry, no shark people spontaneously inventing laser guns. An underwater race won’t have fire; no fire no electricity, no electricity no laser beams. But you can make them telepathic or give them the ability to summon tsunamis. Get the picture?

L. A. Kelley writes science fiction and fantasy narratives with expository humor, persuasive romance, and touch of descriptive sass.