Many fiction authors plan their plots meticulously. They might create an outline first. Stephen King, for example, is known for his detailed planning. However, some authors also let the story unfold organically. They start writing and see where the characters take them. In the process, they introduce new elements, like new characters or twists in the story. In 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Harper Lee introduced the trial as a major plot element which added a lot of tension and explored the themes of the book more deeply.
Fiction authors develop plots in various ways. Some start with an interesting character in mind. For example, J.K. Rowling might have started with the idea of a young wizard like Harry Potter. Then they build a world around that character. They think about the character's goals, desires, and fears. This helps to create the events in the plot. For instance, Harry Potter's goal to defeat Voldemort drives much of the plot in the series.
Authors often draw inspiration from real - life experiences or historical events. Take George Orwell. His experience of living in a world with rising totalitarianism influenced the plot of '1984'. They also use literary devices like foreshadowing. In 'Pride and Prejudice', Jane Austen foreshadows the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy early on. This adds depth to the plot. They might also create conflicts, internal or external. In 'The Old Man and the Sea', the old man's struggle with the marlin is an external conflict that drives the plot.
Amnesia novel books often start with the introduction of the character's amnesia. Then, as the story progresses, they usually unfold the past bit by bit through various means like flashbacks, encounters with people from the past, or finding old objects. For example, in 'Before I Go to Sleep', the main character writes a journal every day to try and piece together her past.
Often, they start with the sudden or unexpected onset of macromastia in a character. This could be due to a magical spell, a scientific experiment gone wrong, or some other strange occurrence. Then, the plot usually revolves around how the character copes with this new physical state. For example, they may face difficulties in finding clothes that fit, or dealing with unwanted attention.
Often, they start with the discovery of past - life memories by the protagonist. For example, in 'The Reincarnation of Peter Proud', the main character begins to have vivid dreams that turn out to be memories of his past life. Then, they usually explore how these memories affect the character's present life. They might try to find people or places from their past life, which drives the plot forward as they encounter various obstacles and revelations along the way.
Authors develop characters through their reactions to the arranged marriage situation. For example, a shy character might be more submissive at first, while a strong - willed character may resist. They also use the characters' relationships with family members. A character who has a very controlling family may have different traits compared to one from a more liberal family. Their dreams and aspirations are also important. A character who dreams of a career may struggle more with the arranged marriage.
In many parallel universe fiction stories, the plot develops around the differences between our world and the parallel one. These differences can create all sorts of situations. In 'A Wrinkle in Time', the characters travel through different dimensions to fight against an evil force that is spreading across the universes. The characters' relationships with the new environments and beings they meet shape the story. They might have to adapt to new physical laws or social structures. Also, sometimes there are moral dilemmas when they interact with the parallel universe, which further drives the plot forward.
Writers of fiction books develop their characters in multiple ways. They observe people in real life, taking note of their mannerisms, speech patterns, and behaviors. This real - life inspiration is then molded into fictional characters. They also think about the character's goals and desires. If a character wants to be rich, that will drive their actions and decisions throughout the story. Additionally, they consider the character's relationships with other characters in the story, as these interactions can shape and change the character over time.
Some authors develop their styles through reading a lot of different works. For example, if an author reads a lot of classic literature, they might pick up on the more formal and descriptive language use. They then adapt it to their own ideas and stories.
Often, reincarnator novels start with the character's death or transfer to a new world. Then, they usually discover some special abilities or knowledge from their past life that gives them an edge. For example, in 'Re:Zero', Subaru's ability to return by death is crucial for the plot development. They also face various challenges like making friends, fighting enemies, and adapting to the new world's rules.
In rebirth novels, often the plot starts with the protagonist's death or a very bad situation in their previous life. Then, they are reborn, usually into their younger self. They then use their knowledge of the future to change things. For example, they might avoid bad relationships or take advantage of business opportunities they missed before.
Authors can start by giving characters unique voices. For instance, a character from a rural area might have a different accent and way of speaking compared to an urban character. Another way is through showing their reactions to different situations. A character's response to a crisis can tell a lot about them. Also, creating flaws for characters makes them more relatable. Nobody's perfect, and a character with flaws like being too stubborn or overly jealous is more believable.