WHAT IS CREATIVE WRITING?

By adhering to established conventions and tropes,

Creative writing is the act of putting your imagination genre fiction can provide readers with a sense of
on a page. predictability and stability, which can be especially
It’s artistic expression in words; it’s writing without appealing during times of stress or uncertainty.
the constraints that come with other kinds of writing There are different genres to choose from.
like persuasive or expository. (Kramer, 2021) There are many different genres of fiction, including
romance, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and
FICTION thriller, among others.
Fiction, literature created from the imagination, not
presented as fact, though it may be based on a true 4. FLASH FICTION
story or situation. (Brittanica 2024) Flash fiction is a genre of fiction, defined as a very short
story.
1. MODERN FICTION Typically, flash fiction stories are less than 1,000 words
Is a literary genre that emerged during the late 19 th and in length, and often much shorter. (Reedsy, 2019)
early 20th centuries.
It is characterized by a departure from traditional FEATURES OF FLASH FICTION
literary styles and conventions, and a focus on the Ability to convey a great deal of information and
inner lives of characters and their psychological emotion in a very short amount of time.
experiences. (Malatesta, 2018) By focusing on the essentials of a story and cutting out
extraneous details, flash fiction writers can create
Does not tell particularly stories that are tightly focused and highly effective.
Self centered Accessibility
Due to their short length, flash fiction stories can be
FEATURES OF MODERN FICTION read quickly and easily, making them ideal for readers
Subjectivity who are short on time or looking for a quick burst of
-portrays the world through the eyes of their inspiration.
characters, highlighting the ways in which individual
perceptions are shaped by personal experience and 1. DICTION
cultural context. Diction is the careful selection of words to
Social and Cultural changes communicate a message or establish a particular voice
-reflects the sense of disillusionment and or writing style. (Ellis M., 2022)
fragmentation that emerged in the wake of the conflict. For example, flowy, figurative language creates colorful
prose, while a more formal vocabulary with concise
2. LITERARY FICTION and direct language can help drive home a point.
Literary fiction is a genre of fiction that is primarily
concerned with the literary merit of the work, rather PURPOSE OF DICTION IN CREATIVE WRITING
than its commercial appeal.  Create a certain tone that supports purpose.
Literary fiction is a category of novels that emphasize  Supports the setting.
style, character, and theme over plot. (Reedsy, 2024)  Establish a narrative voice and tone.
 Bring characters to life.
Lesson, central idea of the story, focus on the character TYPES OF DICTION
Figurative language 1. Formal diction. Formal diction is the use of
sophisticated language, without slang or
FEATURES OF LITERARY FICTION colloquialisms.
Emphasis on style and language 2. Informal diction. Informal diction is more
Literary writers often use rich, detailed prose and conversational and often used in narrative literature.
employ techniques such as metaphor, symbolism, and 3. Pedantic diction. This is when a writer is highly
allusion to create a deeply immersive reading detailed or academic in their writing.
experience. 4. Colloquial diction. Colloquial words or expressions
Exploration of complex themes and ideas are informal in nature and generally represent a
Many literary works deal with issues such as identity, certain region or time.
morality, and the nature of human relationships, and 5. Slang diction. These are words that originated
often challenge readers to think deeply about these within a specific culture or subgroup but gained
topics. traction.
6. Abstract diction. This is when a writer uses words
3. GENRE FICTION to express something intangible, like an idea or an
Genre fiction refers to a category of fiction that is emotion.
defined by its adherence to specific conventions and 7. Concrete diction. Concrete diction is the use of
tropes. words for their literal meanings and often refer to
Also known as category fiction or popular fiction, genre things that appeal to the senses.
fiction is a label used in the book trade to categorise 8. Poetic diction. Poetic diction is driven by lyrical
fiction narratives. (Cambridge Dictionary, 2024) words that relate to a specific theme reflected in a
poem, and create a euphonious, or harmonious,
Pertaining about certain topic. sound.

FEATURES OF GENRE FICTION 2. STYLE

Sense of familiarity and comfort. A writing style is an author’s unique way of
communicating with words. An author creates a style
with the voice, or personality, and overall tone that Figurative language involves the use of words and
they apply to their text. (Wiehardt G. 2020) expressions that deviate from their literal meanings to
It Is the way in which a writer uses language to convey convey a more complex or vivid understanding of a
their message or story. concept.
Figurative language is often used to enhance the
2 ELEMENTS OF ANY WRITING STYLE meaning and impact of writing, adding layers of depth
1. Voice: and imagination.
Voice is the personality you take on in your writing.
2. Tone: TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES
Tone is identified by the attitude that a piece of writing Simile:
conveys. A figure of speech that compares two unlike things
using the words “like” or “as.”
4 TYPES OF WRITING STYLES Example: “He is as brave as a lion.”
1. Expository writing: Use an expository writing style
to inform or explain a topic to readers. Metaphor
2. Descriptive writing: Descriptive writing uses A figure of speech that directly equates two unrelated
figurative language and sensory detail to describe a things, suggesting that one thing is another.
person, place, or thing to allow readers to create a Example: “The world is a stage.”
picture in their mind.
3. Narrative writing: Narrative style is writing that Personification:
tells a story and includes elements often found in a Giving human qualities or characteristics to non-
novel or short story, like the main character, setting, human entities, animals, or objects.
and plot. Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
4. Persuasive writing: When you use a persuasive
writing style, you communicate your opinion to try to Hyperbole:
influence the reader to adopt your stance on a subject. An exaggeration or overstatement used for emphasis or
emphasis
3. TONE Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”
Tone is an author’s attitude toward their subject
matter. The author’s tone in a literary work can reflect Alliteration:
their personal opinion, or the tone can channel the The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
feelings of a particular character. adjacent or closely connected words.
Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A TONE? peppers.”
Putting a period at the end of a sentence in an informal
text chain with your friend may have them wondering Onomatopoeia:
if you’re mad at them. The use of words that imitate the sounds they describe
Exclamation points may help convey excitement or Example: “The bees buzzed around the hive.”
alarm.
Shorter sentences may convey annoyance, while longer Idiom:
ones may convey anxiety or lack of confidence. An expression or phrase that has a figurative meaning
different from the literal meaning.
4. MOOD Example: “Break a leg”
The mood of a piece of writing is the atmosphere of a
piece and the overall feeling it conveys to the reader Irony:
Authors convey mood through figurative language and A situation or statement where there is a discrepancy
literary devices, letting the reader feel whatever mood between what is expected and what actually occurs.
the writing evokes. Example: “The fire station burned down.”

Symbolism:
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A MOOD? The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities,
Mood can be evoked through description of events in a often imbuing objects with deeper meanings.
story, its setting, reactions among characters, and even Example: A dove is a symbol of peace.
through the story’s outcome or resolution of the
conflict. – LiteraryDevices Oxymoron:
A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms
for a paradoxical effect
Example: “friendly fightover
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TONE & MOOD
In summary, tone is the author’s attitude expressed
through the writing, while mood is the emotional
atmosphere experienced by the reader. The tone is
something the author deliberately imbues in the text,
whereas the mood is the reader’s emotional response
to the text.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGES
 o They are either completely good or bad,
display a limited range of emotions and
are simple, obvious and predictable.

Fiction: CHARACTER, CHARACTERIZATION, and

SETTING
 The Dynamic Characters
Introduction o These characters develop and change
Characters play a big role in a story, without them, during the events of the story.
stories will be lifeless, as they give life and meaning to o In most cases, this change is positive,
the stories being written and read. We, humans are with characters that were formerly
fond of experiences and we suffice the need to witness flawed and had 'bad' quality traits
them through reading, listening, or viewing. undergoing a learning lesson that
causes them to evolve and grow into a
Characterization better person.
 Characterization is a literary device that is used
step-by-step in literature to highlight and  The Static Characters
explain the details of a character in a story. o These are the opposite of dynamic
 It is in the initial stage in which the writer characters.
introduces the character with noticeable o They remain the same throughout the
emergence. course of a story and do not undergo
 After introducing the character, the writer often
any progress or character development.
talks about his behavior; then, as the story
progresses, the thought processes of the SETTING
character. Learners are taught from a young age how to
identify the setting of a story. However, once
Types of Characters identified, its impact on the story is often lost as
 The Protagonists readers are given characters to study, a conflict to
o The word "protagonist" comes from a track, and themes to analyze.
Greek word that means "chief actor" in A short story or novel without a setting is one
a Greek drama. In literature, the without context—it occurs nowhere and at no
protagonist is the central character of particular time.
the story, where the plot revolves The setting includes the time and place in which
around the protagonist. the story will be taking place.
o The protagonist is the main character of
the story – the central figure around Common settings:
whom the entire plot revolves.  Time
 Place
 The Antagonists  Alternative Story
o In literature, the antagonist is the
opposite of the protagonist in the story. SETTING AS A SYMBOL
Antagonists are usually portrayed as The impact of setting as a symbol in literature is
the villains in stories where the immense. Setting can provide readers with insight
protagonists must face and defeat them. into a character’s thoughts and feelings, as well as
Just like the protagonists, their actions their motivations and actions.
play a big role in the plot of the story.
o The antagonist possesses 'bad' qualities THE SETTING OF A STORY CREATES
that make them unlikable, making the ATMOSPHERE
readers root for their downfall. Setting details can contribute to mood, or
atmosphere, to the extent that setting is involved in
 The Round Characters telling the story.
o The round characters are the opposite
of the flat characters. These characters Evocation of TIME AND PLACE
have more facets in terms of Readers want to feel like they’re there.
personality, making them more real as
they undergo changes throughout the
story.
o A round character possesses fluid
characteristics and displays a wide
range of thoughts and emotions.

 The Flat Characters

o Flat characters are two-dimensional
and possess a few fixed quality traits
that define their entire character
throughout the story.
 Tragedy
In a tragedy, the main character is mostly likeable,
respectable and moral, and placed in a favourable
position in society. However, they possess one very
obvious flaw that becomes the cause of their
downfall. Tragedies are characterised by an
extreme reversal of fate, usually leading to a tragic
PLOT VS STORY ending where the protagonist dies.
•Plot Romeo and Juliet (1592) by William Shakespeare.
At its simplest level, a plot is the sequence of events
that make up a story. It’s the structure that holds Voyage and Return
the narrative together and guides the audience Voyage and Return stories feature a hero who
through the journey of the characters. journeys to a strange world that at first seems
"What happen" strange but enchanting. Eventually, the hero comes
•Story to feel threatened and trapped in this world and
In contrast, a story is the overarching narrative that must he must make a thrilling escape back to the
encompasses the plot, characters, themes, and safety of his home world. In some cases, the hero
emotions of the book. learns and grows as a result of his adventure
"Why it matters" (Dramatica would call this a judgment of good). In
Dramatic structure, also known as dramaturgical others he does not, and consequently leaves behind
structure, refers to the stages in which the plot in the other world his true love, or other
unfolds or the different 'sections' that make up a opportunity for happiness. (Dramatica would call
text or a play. this a judgment of bad)
What we see in a Dramatic Structure are these
Elements: Rebirth
Exposition-the introduction or beginning of a story This is when a morally bad character undergoes a
that reveals important background information series of events that cause a drastic change in the
character’s formerly negative perspective,
Plot transforming them from bad to good. In the end,
Plot, in fiction, the structure of interrelated actions, the character earns redemption and is rewarded
consciously selected and arranged by the author. with a happy ending. This type of plot frequently
Plot involves a considerably higher level of features anti-heroes.
narrative organization than normally occurs in a The beast in the classic fairytale 'Beauty and the
story or fable. According to E.M. Forster in Aspects Beast' (1740) by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de
of the Novel (1927), a story is a “narrative of events Villeneuve is an example of a character who
arranged in their time-sequence,” whereas a plot undergoes 'rebirth' throughout the course of the
organizes the events according to a “sense of story, where he meets Beauty and his love for her
causality.” turns him into a redeemable character.

Types of plot in literature Rags to riches

While plots can be extremely creative and unique Again, this is another plot type where the main
from one another, Christopher Booker, an English character’s fortune turns from bad to good. The
journalist and author, identified seven basic types character starts off as downtrodden and
of plotlines that most literature seems to fall under. impoverished, yet is a likeable and moral character.
This causes the readers to root for their success.
Comedy Over the course of the story, the protagonist comes
The main characters have flaws, but they are not very close to achieving what they have always
deeply rooted and are mostly lighthearted and wanted. However, during the climax, they usually
humorous. Humor is at the heart of comedic plots. face a moral conflict during which they consider
The rising action in comedies is usually sacrificing all their dreams. But in the end, by
characterized by confusing and chaotic events that choosing the right path, the character finally ends
are resolved in one moment, after which everything up receiving the success and happiness that they
returns to order and the ending is a happy one. have always deserved.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1605) by William The famous fairytale 'Cinderella' (the French
Shakespeare. version by Charles Perrault was published in 1697)

Mystery Overcoming the monster

First, he defines Mystery as a story in which an This is a classic good versus evil plot where the
outsider to some horrendous event or drama (such protagonist(s) is good and cares about the welfare
as a murder) tries to discover the truth of what of society, while the antagonist is an evil force that
happened. Often what is being investigated in a is threatening society or the protagonists' loved
Mystery is a story based on one of the other plots. ones. There is usually an epic battle which serves as
Booker dislikes Mysteries because the detective or the point of climax. However, the ‘monster’ is
investigator has no personal connection to the ultimately defeated and the hero emerged
characters he's interviewing or the crime he's victorious.
investigating. Therefore, Booker argues, the The famous Harry Potter series (1997-2007) is all
detective has no inner conflict to resolve. about Harry, an orphan boy, and his friends Ron
and Hermoine, who fight his archenemy Voldemort
across each of the seven novels written by J.K. plots run on their own up to their rising events but
Rowling. then crash together at the climax. Although they
seem independent in the beginning, all of them are
Quest linked by a similar theme. This plot is very effective
The protagonist, usually aided by a group of to create a very emotional moment in the climax
friends, sets out on a journey to complete a specific among the readers because they have previously
task. The hero and his team usually face numerous been involved in multiple rising actions.
challenges along the way. Oftentimes, the final
challenge that results in the completion of the task Flashback Plot
(or the answering of the dramatic question) must A flashback plot presents action or occurrences
be overcome by the hero alone. inconsequentially so that the author is able to
In The Hobbit (1937), the protagonist Bilbo deliver information about events that occurred
Baggins is forced to go on a dangerous quest to find earlier. It allows the author to begin the story in the
a treasure in a fictional world created by J. R. R. middle of a high-action point, and flash backward
Tolkien. to provide back up to it. Such a backstory helps the
readers get a full understanding of the present
Voyage and return events before going to the upcoming events.
This plot type is very similar to the quest, where
the protagonist and their friends set out on a
journey where they face numerous challenges. DEFINITION AND NATURE OF CONFLICT
However, in this case, the journey has no In literature, a conflict is a literary device
predetermined aim or task that the protagonist is characterized by a struggle between two opposing
aware of. Usually, it is just an unexpected adventure forces. Conflict provides crucial tension in any story
that leads to the protagonist returning back wiser and is used to drive the narrative forward. It is
and happier. often used to reveal a deeper meaning in a
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) Lewis narrative while highlighting characters’
Carroll is a story about how Alice accidentally falls motivations, values, and weaknesses.
down a rabbit hole, which takes her to the mind- A conflict is a literary device that presents the
bending fantastical world of Wonderland where struggle between two sides due to a disagreement
she realizes her true destiny. in values, desires, motivations etc. It doesn’t
necessarily need to be man versus man, but can be
man against nature, man against society or even
The Linear Plot man against themselves.
The linear plot (sometimes is also called dramatic Conflict is a triggering force that determines what
or progressive plot) presents action or occurrences the main action that the protagonist takes would
chronologically. It typically starts with an be. Often during the climax of a story characters are
exposition (or introduction to the setting and faced with internal and external conflicts that they
characters) and the conflict. After that, the rising must overcome to create a change in their lives.
action follows which leads to a climax. Soon after The conflict is the cause of the protagonist’s
the climax, falling action emerges which brings the motives and actions throughout the plot. Therefore,
reader to the resolution. without conflict, the protagonist would have no
motives to do anything.

Episodic Plot
Episodic plot also employs a chronological The 6 Types of Literary Conflict
structure. However, unlike dramatic plot which Many stories contain multiple types of conflict, but
concentrates on a single event, an episodic consists there is usually one that is the main focus.
of a series of loosely related incidents, which are
tied together by a common theme and/or 1. Character vs. Self
characters. An episodic plot is used when the This is an internal conflict, meaning that the
author wishes to show an event, place, time, or idea opposition the character faces is coming from
from many different angles, or when he wants to within. This may entail a struggle to discern what
explore one or more character’s personalities or the moral or “right” choice is, or it may also
the socio-cultural background of the era encompass mental health struggles. All other types
Since this plot includes various events with various of conflict are external—meaning that a character
characters, it can only be used in a novel. Many comes up against an outside force that creates the
adventure novels employ this plot, in which each conflict.
part or chapter usually highlights a character and
presents a different aspect of the adventure. The 2. Character vs. Character
presentation of these characters and adventure This is a common type of conflict in which one
situations enables the reader to get a much larger character’s needs or wants are at odds with
understanding of the conflict. another’s. A character conflict can be depicted as a
straightforward fist fight, or as intricate and
nuanced as the ongoing struggle for power in the
Parallel Plot HBO series Game of Thrones.
A Parallel Plot is a structure that enables an author
to combine or weave two or more dramatic plots in 3. Character vs. Nature
a story. In the beginning, these multiple dramatic
In a nature conflict, a character is set in opposition Situational Irony
to nature. This can mean the weather, the This is at play when an expected outcome is
wilderness, or a natural disaster. For example, in subverted.
Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the
main character, Santiago finally manages to reel in Verbal Irony
a fish after months and months of bad luck. He This is a statement in which the speaker means
fends off sharks, who are trying to steal his prized something very different from what he or she is
catch, but eventually they eat the fish—leaving saying.
Santiago with only a carcass. This is the essence of
the man versus nature conflict: man struggles with
human emotions, while nature charges forth Sarcasm
undeterred. Learn more about character vs. nature Sarcasm generally takes the form of an ironic
conflict in our complete guide here. remark, somewhat rooted in humor, that is
intended to mock or satirize something.
4. Character vs. Supernatural
Pitting characters against phenomena like ghosts, Is there a Difference Between Irony and Sarcasm?
gods, or monsters raises the stakes of a conflict by Sarcasm vs Irony
creating an unequal playing field. Supernatural Sarcasm is utilized to mock someone or something.
conflict also covers characters, like Harry Potter or Therefore, it carries with it a negative connotation.
Odysseus, who have a fate or destiny and struggle However, since not all verbal irony is used to
to accept the sacrifices that come along with it. ridicule, it is not synonymous with sarcasm.
Learn more about character vs. supernatural
conflict in our complete guide here. Satire
Satire is a story method that exposes flaws in a
5. Character vs. Technology person or system in power.
In this case, a character is in conflict with some In literary works, satire can be direct or indirect.
kind of technology. Think of the tale of John Henry,
the African American folk hero. In American Subject and Theme
folklore, Henry was a former slave who worked as a Don't confuse the subject of a work with its theme.
steel-driver on the rail line. To prove his superiority
over new technology, he raced a steam-powered Subject
rock drilling machine and won. However, he  It refers to the foundational element of the
suffered a heart attack after winning the race. story.
Learn more about character vs. technology conflict  In literature, a subject is the universal topic of a
in our complete guide here. literary work. The subject of a literary work is
tied to the work's theme.
6. Character vs. Society
A character vs. society conflict is an external Theme
conflict that occurs in literature when the  It goes beyond the surface events.
protagonist is placed in opposition with society, the  It represents the deeper meaning or message
government, or a cultural tradition or societal norm within the larger story.
of some kind. Characters may be motivated to take
action against their society by a need to survive, a Point of view (POV)
moral sense of right and wrong, or a desire for It is the narrative perspective from which a story is
happiness, freedom, justice, or love. Learn more told.
about character vs. society conflict in our complete 4 Types of POV
guide here. First-person POV
 The narrator addresses the reader directly
using "you".
 It has two types: Subjective and Objective
FICTION: Irony, Theme, and Point of View  “I closed the door behind me and walked down
the steps, holding my head high as I bit back my
What is Irony? tears, resisting the urge to turn and run back
Irony is a figure of speech where the intended inside.”
meaning of words or actions is opposite to their  I closed the door behind me and walked down
literal or expected meaning, often creating a the “steps. I did not turn back.”
humorous or thought-provoking effect.
Second-person POV
4 Types of Irony  The narrator addresses the reader directly
Dramatic Irony using "you".
Also known as tragic irony, this is when a writer  It’s exceptionally rare as a technique and is
lets their reader know something that a character definitely not advisable for beginners.
does not.
Third-person Limited
Comic irony  The narrator is not a character in the story and
This is when irony is used to comedic effect—such uses "he", "she", or "they" to tell the story from
as in satire. the perspective of one character.
 Third-person Omniscient
 It allows the reader to see into the minds of
more than one character.

Literary Devices and Techniques

Foreshadowing
It is a literary device that writers utilize as a means
to indicate or hint to readers something that is to
follow or appear later in a story.

Types of Foreshadowing
Subtle Foreshadowing
 Foreshadowing is more subtle and nuanced.
 Readers don't even notice that it has happened
until later on in the story.

Direct Foreshadowing
 In classic works, it was not uncommon for the
story to begin with the author or playwright
giving away the ending.

Partial or Mysterious Foreshadowing

 It reveals only particular details about what
will happen next in the story.

Red Herrings Foreshadowing

 Authors use what seems like foreshadowing to
deliberately mislead readers about what will
happen next.

Symbolism
A symbol is an object representing, or used for,
something else; frequently an emblem, token, or sign,
which represents something deeper and more
important.

Motif
 A motif is a distinctive feature or repeating idea
in an artistic or literary composition.
 A motif could be expressed by a collection of
related symbols.