What is fiction writing?

The creation of literary material, in one of many formats, based upon an imaginative construction of events, not directly from actual events.

Why do we need fiction?

Because real life, despite its extraordinary range, is often too messy, complex and undirected to present us with a coherent story that can amuse, challenge, ennoble, frighten and educate us the way carefully constructed imaginative fiction can.

Why does fiction seem so different?

No field of writing is more enveloped in myth than fiction: especially short stories, novellas, and most of all, novels. Even people who make their living writing nonfiction can find themselves intimidated by the prospect of creating fiction— to the point that they invest the process with a kind of magic. It is as if every other kind of writing is professional work, while fiction is an incantation: one apparently in which you wait for the Muse to appear and whisper great plots and dialog into your ear.

Part of the problem is that “literature” is considered an art form; while every other kind of writing is considered merely a professional activity, like journalism. Interestingly, we recognize that being a musician or a visual artist also requires creative inspiration, but also a whole lot of preparation and craftsmanship, proficiency with tools and materials, and a ton of work. Yet, somehow, fiction writing is seen only as genius and inspiration.

Here's the truth: creating fiction is just writing. It may have a strong creative component, but to one degree or another so does every other kind of writing, from creating a compelling press release to authoring a top- notch feature story. The fundamental difference is that fiction writing involves the creation of an alternative reality (setting or mis en scène) in which your subjects (characters) move through a storyline (plot). Creating those three characteristics is where talent comes in, but just about anyone with discipline and the right training can write a short story, even a novel. Of course, the quality of the result will vary.

Everything else is craft. Vocabulary, sentence construction, continuity, pacing, and all the other components of every type of writing. Take a sentence out of context from a speech, a corporate newsletter or a famous novel— and you probably can't tell which belongs where.