How to Write Great Fiction

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1990

Abstract

hese principles helpful, as well.</p><h1 id="4b6e">Epic writing 101</h1><p id="10c8">That subheading is just my little joke. I’m no expert or teacher, not having completed my epic story as yet. But like most things in life, there are basic principles that form the foundation of various projects, and epic fiction is no different.</p><h2 id="1f60">Don’t confuse your readers</h2><p id="655f">Without a doubt, world-building will require that you give names to a boatload of people, places, and things. But those names don’t need to be unpronounceable and totally weird. Different will do just nicely!</p><h2 id="ccd7">Find your center</h2><p id="9f52">Like the cover photo, all your plot lines need to lead to the same central story concept. This story concept should be able to be described in a few words and be a single point on which every, yes EVERY other element of your story is connected. Think about these epic storylines:</p><p id="c65f">Stargate — (Exploration of inhabited worlds) Star Trek — (Space Exploration — To go where no man had gone before) Lord of the Rings — (Capture the Ring) The Triple Rising — (Prepare for the Triple Rising)</p><p id="863c">The key takeaway from these epic stories is to keep your story focus simple. That way, you never lose control of the storyline no matter how many other things revolve around it.</p><h2 id="99d3">Characters by the boatload</h2><p id="70bc">How many characters should there be in an epic story? The answer: as many as it needs.</p><p id="c2cb">Be sure that each character is uniquely appropriate for your story and serves a purpose. Sometimes characters are created as a catalyst to force the main character to take some specific action. Whether these characters live or die, they should be pivotal in some way that keeps the plot moving forward, adds conflict, heightens motivation, etc.</p><h2 id="80a6">Keep it on the edge</h2><p id="eafa">This can mean life or death situations, emotional trauma, heartbreak, failure, d

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efeat, or the ecstasy of success. Epic stories are not relaxing reads. They’re high stress from beginning to end. Never let your readers breathe easy, keep them on edge!</p><div id="afbb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-write-great-fiction-tip-4-3bec9847adaf"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Write Great Fiction — Tip 4</h2> <div><h3>Did you forget to read your own story</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*K-tMOZtZLmebHiG7)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="9e5d" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-triple-rising-introduction-and-1st-chapter-fc1eab49622e"> <div> <div> <h2>The Triple Rising — Introduction and 1st Chapter</h2> <div><h3>Atlantis is gone — or is it</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*ppswtqLL5CjscRZMut2hvA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="ca5f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/introduction-to-pride-and-audacity-1516ae132165"> <div> <div> <h2>Introduction to Pride and Audacity</h2> <div><h3>Ecstasy — When life gives you what you don’t want and convinces you to love it</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*HxwZTemXIsnYoIyB)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Epic storytellers need their heads examined

Writing an epic story involves creating multiple plot pathways, a crowd of characters, and an original world with an infrastructure that makes one believe it’s always been there. Not to leave out unique customs, cultures, languages, geography, and the list just keeps going. Now comes the hard part. Making all those things connect in a story frame that centers around one primary theme, goal, quest, etc. (The cover photo is my visual of that concept.)

So who in their right mind embarks on this impossible task? The answer is fiction writers with large imaginations and even bigger dreams. And yes, I’m one of those writers who should have their heads examined.

I recently began my epic story, The Triple Rising. It’s a cross-genre concept, as it will have elements of Sci-fi, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, and Adventure. WOW! I’m tired already… At this early stage, I envision a trilogy, but who knows where it will end? I will write it as a serialized novel here in Medium.

I’ve been preparing to write this for some time and want to share with you some of the tips I’ve picked up in my research, and in examining the structure of other epic stories. If you have a dream of writing your own epic story, I’m sure you’ll find these principles helpful, as well.

Find your center

Like the cover photo, all your plot lines need to lead to the same central story concept. This story concept should be able to be described in a few words and be a single point on which every, yes EVERY other element of your story is connected. Think about these epic storylines:

Stargate — (Exploration of inhabited worlds) Star Trek — (Space Exploration — To go where no man had gone before) Lord of the Rings — (Capture the Ring) The Triple Rising — (Prepare for the Triple Rising)

The key takeaway from these epic stories is to keep your story focus simple. That way, you never lose control of the storyline no matter how many other things revolve around it.

Characters by the boatload

How many characters should there be in an epic story? The answer: as many as it needs.

Be sure that each character is uniquely appropriate for your story and serves a purpose. Sometimes characters are created as a catalyst to force the main character to take some specific action. Whether these characters live or die, they should be pivotal in some way that keeps the plot moving forward, adds conflict, heightens motivation, etc.

How to Write Great Fiction — Tip 3

Epic storytellers need their heads examined

Epic writing 101

Don’t confuse your readers

Find your center

Characters by the boatload

Keep it on the edge

How to Write Great Fiction — Tip 4

Did you forget to read your own story

The Triple Rising — Introduction and 1st Chapter

Atlantis is gone — or is it

Introduction to Pride and Audacity

Ecstasy — When life gives you what you don’t want and convinces you to love it