Techniques for More Creative Fiction Writing

One of the things many of my readers tell me is that they have a hard time creating fully fleshed out characters. I can sympathize. When you're
starting from scratch with just an idea, the characters that go with it are often ephemeral.

So, to make them more concrete and "real", here are a couple of creative fiction writing techniques to put some solidity into your fictional characters.

First, do a simple character sketch, noting down brief details about your character. This can include looks, name, age and where the character
is from. If you're having trouble with even this step, try interviewing
your character.

Ask him where he grew up. What pets did he have? Did he have lots of friends? Did he do well in school, or was he an outcast, existing only on the fringes of the playground and lunch room?

Next, ask him (or her - this is just as an example) what his family was like. Did he grow up in a loving home? Were both Mom and Dad there for him, or was one missing? Why? Or did he survive the rigors of foster care?

What about now (assuming he's grown) - what kind of job does he have? Does he like or dislike it? Is he the boss, or an underling? How low on the totem pole does he fall?

You can ask endless questions like these until you get a real feel for the character you're creating. Not all questions you come up with are ones you'd need for every character, but the exercise can be repeated for all your main characters, at least.

If you're not sure what to ask, ask yourself this question: What am I curious about with this character; what would I like to know about him or her?

Then, let your imagination run away with you.


Getting in the Mood

Another writing technique you can use, if you're having trouble getting your writing started is to do something that helps get you into "the zone" of writing fiction.

Maybe it's music - specific music that puts you in the right frame of mind to do creative fiction writing. Maybe it's a quiet walk in an area that evokes the novel you're working on.

Meditation might be your "cup of inspiration". (Ha! See how I didn't use the cliche "cup of tea", but played with it?) If so, do half-hour of quiet reflecting, letting the ideas in your head linger until they burst from your fingertips.

In a similar way to how writing prompts might get you going, I call these methods "life prompts". Actions that push your creativity to the fore. You can certainly use fiction writing prompts , too, if they help you get started.

My favorite method, the one that always works for me (after a break, if I need it) is to simply stop giving myself excuses not to write. "I'm tired, I have house cleaning to do, I have too much other work to do..." You know the kind of list I'm talking about.

Those are excuses and nothing more. You can choose to write, instead. Sit your rear down, put pencil in hand or fingers to your keyboard and just write. Works for me.

And if you've already started your story or novel and you're stuck, try any of the above techniques to get you going again. Experiment until you find the one that works best for you. Then use it.


Before and After

Sometimes, I get stuck on what comes next, or not knowing a particular character well enough. In line with flashbacks and foreshadowing (both excellent techniques for keeping your readers engaged), I have a couple of creative fiction writing methods that help me unleash the pent up ideas.

For starters, I take a specific character and think about her past (or his). I mull on why she's acting the way she is, then usually find I'm hearing some of her "back story" - a flashback, so to speak.

I write it out. It might be two pages, it might be two chapters. Whatever it is, it gives me a much deeper understanding of that character, and any that are relating to her in her past.

On the flip side of this is looking into the future. This can be just the future in the particular novel you're writing (don't you find yourself writing later scenes sometimes because they catch your interest and have to be written NOW?), or the character's future life after the novel, even.

If it helps you understand that character, write it out. Then let it assimilate in your head until you know how to use that knowledge in the novel you're working on.

Your readers don't need this much detail, but you'll thank yourself for knowing that much about your characters' past and future. Then you can get back to writing their present.

Now, go on and get back to your creative fiction writing.


For more fiction writing techniques, read these pages:

Writing Fiction
Writing a Novel
Write a Bestseller