Novels do not have much in common with real life. However, fiction is often perceived as more realistic than reality because it is very logical and convenient. Some exaggerations or fabrication ring more true than real life. That’s because fiction reorganized reality in labeled boxes and explain things reality cannot.
Novels simulate reality, but do not reproduce it. Fiction is only a way to mirror reality with better colors and stretching a few facts. Even if writers base their novels in real places and include real events, they modify facts to fit their story. Swords do not always go shing or bullets bang, but writers feel the urge to give an acute sound to bring them to life. In reality, swords do not make metallic sounds when drawn and guns sound like firecrackers. No reader will find this realistic.
Everything happens for a reason. Novel plots are very logical. In fact, novels follow the pattern cause leads to consequence. Everything is logical and each event is connected. There is no place for hazard. The hero will not slide on a puddle of ice and break his neck unless an enemy pants it there. Characters and background are logical and expected, contrary to real life otherwise writers could not create an illusion of reality. Even the characters’ names are made up so they do not start with the same letter and fit with their destiny. Characters do not react on impulses and they always understand why they react the way they do, unlike real people.
Creative elements. Novels contain elements of fantasy that do not exist in reality, such as magic or advanced technology or incredibly beautiful mates. The novel’s reality is always bigger than life, brighter than life and more amazing.
Unusual characters. Characters always find their way out of any situation. They can survive car crashes, wounds and illnesses. That’s why you cannot write about real people. Characters have exaggerated traits and quirks. They are more understandable and forgiving than real people because you want your reader to like them.
Fiction is movement. There are rare moments to enjoy the sunsets or doing nothing. That’s why back stories do not usually work. Characters are goal-motivated and nothing stand in their path. In real life people give up or lose their motivation or decide to follow a new path. Not in fiction. Fictional characters do not stop until they get what they want. They never give up and no villain manages to weaken their resolve. There are no dull moments in fiction. Trouble must always arise. In real life, people try to avoid troubles, but in fiction no trouble means the end of the novel.Movement is conflict, which means it is a fight between two people having opposite goals but similar desire. Whatever happens is not due to chance or fate.
If fiction is more realistic than real life, then never write about something real unless you transform it in a tall tale.
Novels simulate reality, but do not reproduce it. Fiction is only a way to mirror reality with better colors and stretching a few facts. Even if writers base their novels in real places and include real events, they modify facts to fit their story. Swords do not always go shing or bullets bang, but writers feel the urge to give an acute sound to bring them to life. In reality, swords do not make metallic sounds when drawn and guns sound like firecrackers. No reader will find this realistic.
Everything happens for a reason. Novel plots are very logical. In fact, novels follow the pattern cause leads to consequence. Everything is logical and each event is connected. There is no place for hazard. The hero will not slide on a puddle of ice and break his neck unless an enemy pants it there. Characters and background are logical and expected, contrary to real life otherwise writers could not create an illusion of reality. Even the characters’ names are made up so they do not start with the same letter and fit with their destiny. Characters do not react on impulses and they always understand why they react the way they do, unlike real people.
Creative elements. Novels contain elements of fantasy that do not exist in reality, such as magic or advanced technology or incredibly beautiful mates. The novel’s reality is always bigger than life, brighter than life and more amazing.
Unusual characters. Characters always find their way out of any situation. They can survive car crashes, wounds and illnesses. That’s why you cannot write about real people. Characters have exaggerated traits and quirks. They are more understandable and forgiving than real people because you want your reader to like them.
Fiction is movement. There are rare moments to enjoy the sunsets or doing nothing. That’s why back stories do not usually work. Characters are goal-motivated and nothing stand in their path. In real life people give up or lose their motivation or decide to follow a new path. Not in fiction. Fictional characters do not stop until they get what they want. They never give up and no villain manages to weaken their resolve. There are no dull moments in fiction. Trouble must always arise. In real life, people try to avoid troubles, but in fiction no trouble means the end of the novel.Movement is conflict, which means it is a fight between two people having opposite goals but similar desire. Whatever happens is not due to chance or fate.
If fiction is more realistic than real life, then never write about something real unless you transform it in a tall tale.