by Jonathan Myers

Created on: February 27, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

Verisimilitude in fiction may seem like a paradox, but with enough creativity, a writer can make a story feel like an actually event in time. There are a few key elements to keep in mind. Main characters need to be plotted, dialogue needs to be tweaked, and description must be concrete for it to stand a chance.

One of the most important things a writer needs to do when an unfocused idea takes hold is to preplan, or outline. This involves the writer creating believable characters that act like real people. When creating main characters, try to think of them as people, with real desires, fears, and morals. Give them a full background.

Chances are about only one-third of their background will be needed in the actually story, but if formed properly, the rest will be implied by the reader. This is what Hemingway called the iceberg theory. Also, a writer will be more intimate with their characters, which will allow them to create what seem like genuine minds with a certain level of integrity for thier characters. This keeps the characters from doing something that would jeopardize the realism in the story. Of course like real people, they should have enough freedom to be persuaded, but there has to be a good reason for it.

Another way to preserve characters' authenticity is through carefully measured dialogue. A fiction writer must consider their words to make conversations flow without adding every little "err" or "umm" that people use in real life. Also, it is best to use speech tags sparingly. Fiction is more vivid, which in turn a more realistic, if an action compliments what is being said. For example, after the character says something cheerful, try to think of an action that their body can do that adequately matches the speech. "Hi", Kate said cheerfully, becomes more vivid when changed to "Hi." Kate smiled, revealing a set of white teeth.

Where the story can really come to life is governed by its description. A writer can use all of the description in the world, but if it only supplies sight, then the story will lack vividness. Use smells, sounds, tastes, and touch to make a flat prose more alive. Even fantasy authors can make a pretend world that is palpable. No one can deny a smell like ocean air or a feeling like a cold chill. These types of words bring solid sensations to fiction. Attach them to parts where sight is given to make a richer prose.

Using these tools and providing good judgment and creativity, a writer can bring verisimilitude to their fiction. Plan each main character out with a summary that depicts their background. The dialogue supplied should be easy to comprehend, with actions to reinforce the characters mannerisms. Use strong, concrete sensations to keep description vivid. Remember, the reader's satisfaction is what's most important, so give them a world that they can experience for themselves.

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