Creative writing - Mike Sanders 2014

Glossary

abstraction A condensed, general idea or concept in a piece of writing.

action The manifestation of feelings and thoughts through activity.

antagonist A representation of the obstacles to the protagonist’s, or the central character’s, desires. It might be another human being or some other force. See also protagonist.

archetype A recurring pattern or model from which similar patterns or models are drawn. Characters, action—even writing itself—can be archetypal.

atmosphere The impression or vibe a given setting gives off to other characters and the reader.

authorial distance How much the narrator intrudes on the story and the character’s point of view.

authorial interpretation The act of the author writing with an intent that can be identified within his or her work.

autobiographical A piece of writing that is written by the writer and is about her or his own life.

backstory A summary of an incident that has happened in the character’s past. See also flashback.

blank verse Poetry written in a style similar to free verse but blank verse poetry does not rhyme and does follow a regular rhythm—iambic pentameter.

brainstorming A prewriting method in which you record ideas stemming from a single central topic or concept.

character voice The primary speech, thought patterns, and attitude of a figure in a piece of creative writing.

characterization The act of describing the qualities of someone or something in attempt to make them or it seem real.

concrete detail A specific detail that forms the core of a piece of writing. Synonyms for concrete details include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, and plot references.

conflict The heart of any narrative, conflict can be between the protagonist and another character, the antagonist; between the protagonist and nature; or the protagonist and society. It can also be internal or psychological.

contrast The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of creative writing.

cover letter See query letter.

craft A proficient skill in the art of making something—in this book, creative writing.

descriptive essay A piece of writing used to explain something in detail, usually employing the five senses.

dialogue A conversation between characters in a narrative. See also direct dialogue; indirect dialogue.

direct dialogue Speech that addresses a character or reader, often by name.

distance How far the reader is taken, by the narrator, inside the character’s head.

dramatic irony A difference between what a character says or does and what the reader knows to be true.

epiphany A sudden realization in which someone or something is seen in a new light.

essay A short nonfiction prose composition on a particular theme. See also descriptive essay; expository essay; persuasive essay.

existential Dealing with or affirming human existence.

expository essay A piece of writing in which the writer presents data, opinions, points of view, ideas, concepts, and arguments on a particular topic in an effort to explain it.

figure of speech The opposite of a literal expression; a word or phrase that means something more or something other than it seems to say and departs from conventional order or significance.

first person A point of view in which an I or we serves as the narrator of a piece of fiction.

flashback A literary device that takes the reader to a past incident and shows it to him through action and dialog. See also backstory.

foreshadowing A usually subtle advance hint of an action that will occur later in a narrative.

formal verse Poetry following “rules” regarding stanza length and meter or rhyme patterns.

free verse Poetry open in pattern and recognized as nonconforming and rhymeless verse.

free writing The practice of writing nonstop about whatever enters your mind for a set period of time without making corrections or censoring anything. Benefits of free writing include making you more comfortable with the act of writing, making you aware of unconscious writing ideas and potential self-censorship, and improving your formal writing.

generalization A broad statement that applies to many examples.

hyperbolic A variation of hyperbole, in which something has been exaggerated or enlarged beyond what’s reasonable.

imagery The description of a person, place, or item using the five senses.

in medias res The act of beginning a narrative in the midst of its action.

indirect dialogue The act of summarizing dialogue.

indirect hook A technique that arouses the reader’s interest through surface inaction that focuses on everyday, highly relatable details. See also narrative hook.

irony A literary device that presents a conflict between appearance and reality.

judgment The act of evaluating if your writing is achieving its potential.

literary agent Someone whose job it is to sell a writer’s work to a publishing entity, negotiate advances and contracts, and manage royalties and copyright.

memoir A record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.

metaphor A comparison between two things, based on resemblance or similarity, without using the words like or as.

metonymy The act of substituting something’s meaning and/or attribute for its common name.

mimicry The activity or art of copying the thoughts and speech of other character voices in creative writing.

narrative hook An inciting incident in which the action of a story literally begins. See also indirect hook.

New Journalism A type of writing that relies on the reporter’s subjective interpretations and often features fictional dramatized elements to emphasize personal involvement.

oxymoron When seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side.

pacing The speed at which action takes place in writing.

personification A figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object.

persuasive essay Also known as the argument essay, this kind of writing utilizes logic and reason to show that one idea or position is more legitimate than others.

point of view (POV) A way the events of a story are conveyed to the reader. It’s the vantage point from which the narrative is passed from the author to the reader.

plot The series of events providing conflict within a story.

prosody The science of versification either in prose or poetry.

protagonist The central character of a narrative. See also antagonist.

plagiarism To use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas.

plot Your protagonist’s physical journey. See also story.

query letter An inquiry to an editor that contains a description of your writing and is designed to facilitate the editor’s interest in your work.

quilting A writing technique in which the author forms a patchwork whole from many isolated pieces of writing.

research The collecting of facts to increase understanding of a person, place, event, idea, experience, or thing.

rhythm The natural rise and fall of voice when something is being spoken or read aloud.

scene A clearly marked snapshot of a situation that involves one or more characters.

second person A point of view in which the narrator tells the story to another character using you. The story is told through the addressee’s point of view.

set The physical objects that project, sometimes imaginatively, the world of a play.

setting The location or locations in which a narrative takes place.

short story A brief piece of prose fiction, usually possessing few characters and aiming at unity of effect.

significant detail A detail that suggests something greater about a character or setting, making a narrative more plausible.

simile A figure of speech that uses the words like or as when comparing two things—often two quite different things—in a way that helps the reader form a mental picture.

situational irony The difference between how things look and how they really are. The difference between what happens and what should have happened.

stock character A figure drawn from widely acknowledged cultural types for their characteristics and mannerisms.

story Your protagonist’s emotional journey within the plot. See also plot.

synecdoche A type of metonymy in which the name of a part is substituted for that of a whole or vice versa.

synopsis A brief condensation, outline, or summary of the main points of an article, book, or plan.

third person A point of view in which the narrator relates all action using pronouns such as he or she.

verbal irony What is said is the opposite of what is meant.

verisimilitude The degree of lifelike reality present in a creative work.

world building The concept of creating your narrative’s setting through historical research.