《Your Guide to Writing the Perfect Story》Being Realistic
Advertisement
Today I am going to be talking about being realistic when writing your stories. To clarify, the plot does not need to be realistic. Werewolves don't exist and neither do fairies or sprites. The sun probably won't explode tomorrow and many other fantasy and science fiction plots most likely will never occur either. Books aren't about what will probably happen, but about imagining the impossible, experiencing things that would never happen to a reader themself.
Being realistic in a story isn't about the plot at all; it's about reactions and emotions and series of events. It's really important that these things are realistic because, damn, if they aren't you're in for a rocky ride.
Emotions are something that a lot of writers don't feel comfortable writing. Well, listen up folks, you better get used to it. Emotions are a necessary part of any piece of literature, even poetry; some people would argue especially poetry. The thing is, your emotions need to be realistic. I recently read a story about a girl whose brother was murdered in front of her eyes and she acted like nothing had happened; she even seemed more happy than she had before the incident.
Realistic? Heck, no.
On the other hand, you can over-do emotions as well. Realistically, a student that gets A's on all of her projects probably wouldn't faint out of joy from receiving another A unless she was on drugs or something. New emotions come from things out of the ordinary, or a change in events.
Character reactions are all about how your character, well, reacts. It all depends on their personality. When a very insecure girl is asked out on a date, it would be realistic for her to question their intentions or to be very, very happy and flattered that someone thought of them -- they'd probably be surprised as well. It would be unrealistic for them to refuse and say, "I'm too good for you."
Advertisement
Likewise, the teacher's pet probably wouldn't be the one to slack off on their homework unless they went through this rebellious stage and that's the plot of the story.
Put yourself into the shoes of your character and try to see the world through their eyes. That way, it will seem natural when deciding how your characters will react to certain things.
Events that lead to another event should happen for a reason and those reasons should make sense. Unwarranted conflict is unrealistic, as is not having an outcome after a significant action. If someone steals another's pencil, they probably won't pull out a gun and shoot the person. And if that person did shoot someone, that dead person's friends and family aren't going to invite them over for tea. There should be consequences for actions because that's just how the world works.
I don't want to count how many times I've talked about motives, but here it is again. Motives should be realistic, also. A completely sane person does not drop bombs on random cities because they feel like it. Something or someone must have triggered that person to do something. Remember their backstory. Consider revenge. What drives a person to do what they do? Motives are one of the ingredients in the glue that holds your story together.
The next part is, how are certain things that happen in your story possible? A bullet wound will not heal itself. A man that has been burned cannot come back to life. After being engulfed by flames your character will not emerge unscathed. Unless, of course, you are writing a fantasy where all of these things just happen to be possible. In a fantasy, though, there must be limits to your world. There should be a vulnerability in everyone, a way that makes it possible for them to die.
Advertisement
And many times people don't think about the little details because they aren't technically necessary in the book. Like, how is it possible that the villain who grew up in poverty got all of the money that they use for their cause if they don't even have support from the citizens? You've got to make sure that you think of these things.
The more your readers can relate to a character, their issues, emotions, and the things they go through, the more realistic your story will seem. Many readers will also be able to relate to themes, like discrimination, falling in and out of love, naivety, etc. Always, even in fantasy novels, look for ways that your characters will identify with your character and plot. People are people, after all. We like to empathize with each other.
Advertisement
Ave Xia Rem Y
A Very Cliche Xianxia Harem Story! In a world where power is everything, Liu Jin only desires to become a great doctor like his father. However, destiny has no end of troubles stored for our hero. Powerful cultivators have their eyes on him. A nasty doctor is spreading rumors about his father. A burning man crosses his path, and his father's past may not be as simple as he suspected. The tale of the strongest doctor begins now!
8 921War Orphan
As the war ended between the Alexas and the Ylios empires, poverty reigned inside both their lands, and once prideful nobels now scrourge the street desperately killing for bread alongside the peasants they once ruled. Darkness fills the hearts of the worn out soldiers, as well as the dirt poor peasants, seeing no hope to their children's survival. Follow the most unfortunate of the lot. The war orphans. Those who have lost everything but still manage to, somehow, survive...I would really appreciate feedback as this is my first fiction, and thanks.(I do not own the picture)
8 170Hidden
The girl was not the world's best fighter, nor the world's best killer. She was however the world's best assassin, due to her unthreatening atmosphere that allowed her to draw close to anyone without suspicion she had a 100% hit rate. One day the girl and her classmates were summoned to another world, what will happen when the world's best assassin hides in plain sight.
8 113Naamkaran ✔️
Heyy Guys I'm new here.. I love the whole Naamkaran show but I didn't like the ending.. So I am writing what I imagine.. I am not a writer so ignore some mistakes..I am starting with 10 years leap but in my story the leap will be of only 5 yearsI hope you all like.. 🙂
8 96Sangharsh ( Abhira story)
yeh story abhimanyu aur akashra ke sangharsh ki hai.
8 134After Divorcing, She Shocked The World (1)
Top Special Agent, Wu Mei, was murdered in a conspiracy. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself transmigrated into the body of the gorgeous, abandoned wife of a handsome, wealthy man and... She was sleeping with him!The handsome man placed the divorce papers in front of her and said, "Let's get a divorce. I'll give you one hundred million."Father: "If you don't get the money from President Li, your mother will pay with her life!"Stepmother: "Quickly get a divorce and let your younger sister take your place!"A sly smile crept up Wu Mei's face. She agreed, "Sure. But... you'll have to raise the stakes."After her divorce, Wu Mei became stronger and stronger. She dealt with her stepmother and punished scumbags. She was awesome!Gradually, her true identity was revealed - A medical genius, hacker, businesswoman... Her existence shook the world!All the big shots knelt before her. "Whoever messes with her, messes with us!"Then, at a cocktail party, someone saw...The almighty Mr. Li clinging onto Wu Mei's waist, his eyes red as he begged, "Let's get married again. I'll even give you my life."Just like before, Wu Mei smiled slyly and said, "You'll have to raise the stakes."This book is a Chinese novel written by Dickens and he deserves all the credits for it. Link for the original novel will be provided at the end of the book.Read at your own risk! ⚠️Read at your own risk! ⚠️Read at your own risk! ⚠️
8 404