![\"What](\"https:\/\/dialoguebooks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Realistic-Fiction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSimply put, realistic fiction is defined as an imagined yet realistic narrative set in either our own society\/world, or a society\/world akin to our own, but that\u2019s just a basic explanation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this genre is capable of holding a mirror to society, it\u2019s no mere mime, nor is it necessarily easy to write, and can often take just as much imagination and technical craftsmanship as, say, fantasy novels. So, without further ado, let\u2019s put realistic fiction under the microscope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defining Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe defining characteristic of realistic fiction is the recognizable \u2014 These stories play out on the page in such a familiar way that they seem almost prescient, that not only could what’s unfolding in the narrative happen, but that it will<\/em> or already is <\/em>happening out there somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Part Of Realistic Fiction Needs To Be Recognizable?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn truth, all the fundamental aspects of a story must be on some level recognizable in the real world for it to be considered realistic fiction, which isn\u2019t to say that there isn\u2019t some leeway for creative license, but there must be a thread of the commonplace woven throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Settings In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPlace<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA relatable setting is essential in realistic fiction, as it establishes the foundation for everything else in the story. In light of this, it\u2019s common for writers of realistic fiction to use actual places as the backdrop for their work, but bear in mind, this is by no means essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, the defining element of realistic fiction is recognizability, not necessarily carbon copies, meaning you can absolutely make your setting up as long as it shares some features with similar places in the actual world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you\u2019re writing about a place loosely based on an American city, you\u2019ll want to flesh the setting out with realistic artifacts, i.e. grocery stores, angry motorists, schools, street crime, residential zones, and retail areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t have to squeeze in as much stuff as you possibly can, as that will lead to long, boring, and clunky writing, but mentioning certain realistic aspects that are integral to the plot, symbolism, or characters is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not a golden rule, but for the most part, realistic fiction is set in either present day or in the recent past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could also be set in the near future, but venture too far in your literary time machine and you risk creating a narrative and emotional disconnect with the reader that is so integral to the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, when executed with skill, utopian and dystopian stories (often set well into the future) should feel too close for comfort, despite their temporal detachment from our own place in time (If you like dystopian themes, check out the Maze Runner series<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacters In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMuch the same rules apply to the characters of realistic fiction as they do to the setting(see also: What Is Speculative Fiction?<\/a>). They need to be believable inhabitants of the environment in the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey don\u2019t have to be like you and I in every way, just someone you could imagine actually existing, with realistic problems, dreams, worries, joys, desires, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/dialoguebooks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/What-Is-Realistic-Fiction-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlot In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTypically, the plot of realistic fiction has personal and social leanings. It shows the characters dealing with real life issues, which is one of the reasons this genre is so powerful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It highlights the majesty and misery playing out in what we perceive as the mundane, and in doing so, defamiliarizes all that has become so habituated as to be unremarkable in our own lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a way, this is what all art aims to do, but good realistic fiction achieves it with a razor edge that cuts to the quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Themes interwoven into the plot may include alcoholism and drug use, abuse, losing friends or family members, family in general, growing up, learning about ourselves, learning about others, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plot must be threaded together with relatable tensions and obstacles, and if some aspect is beyond the remit of most readers, it must at the very least be a believable turn of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping the plot points as close to home as possible facilitates feelings of kinship and understanding between the reader and characters, empathy even, drawing them right into the story as if it were all written in 2nd person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s The Difference Between Realistic Fiction And Historical Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTruth be told, there are a lot of similarities between realistic fiction and historical fiction, but there\u2019s one fundamental difference that parts them as discrete literary entities\u2026 historical documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By definition, historical fiction must be at least loosely based on documented history (If you like historical fiction themes, also check out Malibu Rising<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\nA lot of the particulars, such as dialogue, character style and mannerisms, and even certain plot points can be completely made up (hence \u201cfiction\u201d in the name), but the core historical facts are spinal to the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In realistic fiction, there need be no adherence to documented goings on of the past. It can be all completely made up, and as long as it\u2019s very much embedded in what we understand as reality, it will have the desired impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does Realistic Fiction Differ From General Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGeneral fiction is defined as fiction that straddles enough genre lines that it can\u2019t be totally summed up by a single label. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Part Of Realistic Fiction Needs To Be Recognizable?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn truth, all the fundamental aspects of a story must be on some level recognizable in the real world for it to be considered realistic fiction, which isn\u2019t to say that there isn\u2019t some leeway for creative license, but there must be a thread of the commonplace woven throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Settings In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPlace<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA relatable setting is essential in realistic fiction, as it establishes the foundation for everything else in the story. In light of this, it\u2019s common for writers of realistic fiction to use actual places as the backdrop for their work, but bear in mind, this is by no means essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, the defining element of realistic fiction is recognizability, not necessarily carbon copies, meaning you can absolutely make your setting up as long as it shares some features with similar places in the actual world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you\u2019re writing about a place loosely based on an American city, you\u2019ll want to flesh the setting out with realistic artifacts, i.e. grocery stores, angry motorists, schools, street crime, residential zones, and retail areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t have to squeeze in as much stuff as you possibly can, as that will lead to long, boring, and clunky writing, but mentioning certain realistic aspects that are integral to the plot, symbolism, or characters is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not a golden rule, but for the most part, realistic fiction is set in either present day or in the recent past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could also be set in the near future, but venture too far in your literary time machine and you risk creating a narrative and emotional disconnect with the reader that is so integral to the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, when executed with skill, utopian and dystopian stories (often set well into the future) should feel too close for comfort, despite their temporal detachment from our own place in time (If you like dystopian themes, check out the Maze Runner series<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacters In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMuch the same rules apply to the characters of realistic fiction as they do to the setting(see also: What Is Speculative Fiction?<\/a>). They need to be believable inhabitants of the environment in the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey don\u2019t have to be like you and I in every way, just someone you could imagine actually existing, with realistic problems, dreams, worries, joys, desires, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlot In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTypically, the plot of realistic fiction has personal and social leanings. It shows the characters dealing with real life issues, which is one of the reasons this genre is so powerful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It highlights the majesty and misery playing out in what we perceive as the mundane, and in doing so, defamiliarizes all that has become so habituated as to be unremarkable in our own lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a way, this is what all art aims to do, but good realistic fiction achieves it with a razor edge that cuts to the quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Themes interwoven into the plot may include alcoholism and drug use, abuse, losing friends or family members, family in general, growing up, learning about ourselves, learning about others, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plot must be threaded together with relatable tensions and obstacles, and if some aspect is beyond the remit of most readers, it must at the very least be a believable turn of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping the plot points as close to home as possible facilitates feelings of kinship and understanding between the reader and characters, empathy even, drawing them right into the story as if it were all written in 2nd person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s The Difference Between Realistic Fiction And Historical Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTruth be told, there are a lot of similarities between realistic fiction and historical fiction, but there\u2019s one fundamental difference that parts them as discrete literary entities\u2026 historical documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By definition, historical fiction must be at least loosely based on documented history (If you like historical fiction themes, also check out Malibu Rising<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\nA lot of the particulars, such as dialogue, character style and mannerisms, and even certain plot points can be completely made up (hence \u201cfiction\u201d in the name), but the core historical facts are spinal to the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In realistic fiction, there need be no adherence to documented goings on of the past. It can be all completely made up, and as long as it\u2019s very much embedded in what we understand as reality, it will have the desired impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does Realistic Fiction Differ From General Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGeneral fiction is defined as fiction that straddles enough genre lines that it can\u2019t be totally summed up by a single label. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Place<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA relatable setting is essential in realistic fiction, as it establishes the foundation for everything else in the story. In light of this, it\u2019s common for writers of realistic fiction to use actual places as the backdrop for their work, but bear in mind, this is by no means essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, the defining element of realistic fiction is recognizability, not necessarily carbon copies, meaning you can absolutely make your setting up as long as it shares some features with similar places in the actual world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, if you\u2019re writing about a place loosely based on an American city, you\u2019ll want to flesh the setting out with realistic artifacts, i.e. grocery stores, angry motorists, schools, street crime, residential zones, and retail areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t have to squeeze in as much stuff as you possibly can, as that will lead to long, boring, and clunky writing, but mentioning certain realistic aspects that are integral to the plot, symbolism, or characters is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not a golden rule, but for the most part, realistic fiction is set in either present day or in the recent past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could also be set in the near future, but venture too far in your literary time machine and you risk creating a narrative and emotional disconnect with the reader that is so integral to the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, when executed with skill, utopian and dystopian stories (often set well into the future) should feel too close for comfort, despite their temporal detachment from our own place in time (If you like dystopian themes, check out the Maze Runner series<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacters In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMuch the same rules apply to the characters of realistic fiction as they do to the setting(see also: What Is Speculative Fiction?<\/a>). They need to be believable inhabitants of the environment in the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThey don\u2019t have to be like you and I in every way, just someone you could imagine actually existing, with realistic problems, dreams, worries, joys, desires, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlot In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTypically, the plot of realistic fiction has personal and social leanings. It shows the characters dealing with real life issues, which is one of the reasons this genre is so powerful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It highlights the majesty and misery playing out in what we perceive as the mundane, and in doing so, defamiliarizes all that has become so habituated as to be unremarkable in our own lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a way, this is what all art aims to do, but good realistic fiction achieves it with a razor edge that cuts to the quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Themes interwoven into the plot may include alcoholism and drug use, abuse, losing friends or family members, family in general, growing up, learning about ourselves, learning about others, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plot must be threaded together with relatable tensions and obstacles, and if some aspect is beyond the remit of most readers, it must at the very least be a believable turn of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping the plot points as close to home as possible facilitates feelings of kinship and understanding between the reader and characters, empathy even, drawing them right into the story as if it were all written in 2nd person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s The Difference Between Realistic Fiction And Historical Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTruth be told, there are a lot of similarities between realistic fiction and historical fiction, but there\u2019s one fundamental difference that parts them as discrete literary entities\u2026 historical documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By definition, historical fiction must be at least loosely based on documented history (If you like historical fiction themes, also check out Malibu Rising<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\nA lot of the particulars, such as dialogue, character style and mannerisms, and even certain plot points can be completely made up (hence \u201cfiction\u201d in the name), but the core historical facts are spinal to the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In realistic fiction, there need be no adherence to documented goings on of the past. It can be all completely made up, and as long as it\u2019s very much embedded in what we understand as reality, it will have the desired impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Does Realistic Fiction Differ From General Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGeneral fiction is defined as fiction that straddles enough genre lines that it can\u2019t be totally summed up by a single label. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not a golden rule, but for the most part, realistic fiction is set in either present day or in the recent past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could also be set in the near future, but venture too far in your literary time machine and you risk creating a narrative and emotional disconnect with the reader that is so integral to the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, when executed with skill, utopian and dystopian stories (often set well into the future) should feel too close for comfort, despite their temporal detachment from our own place in time (If you like dystopian themes, check out the Maze Runner series<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much the same rules apply to the characters of realistic fiction as they do to the setting(see also: What Is Speculative Fiction?<\/a>). They need to be believable inhabitants of the environment in the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They don\u2019t have to be like you and I in every way, just someone you could imagine actually existing, with realistic problems, dreams, worries, joys, desires, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, the plot of realistic fiction has personal and social leanings. It shows the characters dealing with real life issues, which is one of the reasons this genre is so powerful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It highlights the majesty and misery playing out in what we perceive as the mundane, and in doing so, defamiliarizes all that has become so habituated as to be unremarkable in our own lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a way, this is what all art aims to do, but good realistic fiction achieves it with a razor edge that cuts to the quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Themes interwoven into the plot may include alcoholism and drug use, abuse, losing friends or family members, family in general, growing up, learning about ourselves, learning about others, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plot must be threaded together with relatable tensions and obstacles, and if some aspect is beyond the remit of most readers, it must at the very least be a believable turn of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping the plot points as close to home as possible facilitates feelings of kinship and understanding between the reader and characters, empathy even, drawing them right into the story as if it were all written in 2nd person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Truth be told, there are a lot of similarities between realistic fiction and historical fiction, but there\u2019s one fundamental difference that parts them as discrete literary entities\u2026 historical documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By definition, historical fiction must be at least loosely based on documented history (If you like historical fiction themes, also check out Malibu Rising<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of the particulars, such as dialogue, character style and mannerisms, and even certain plot points can be completely made up (hence \u201cfiction\u201d in the name), but the core historical facts are spinal to the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In realistic fiction, there need be no adherence to documented goings on of the past. It can be all completely made up, and as long as it\u2019s very much embedded in what we understand as reality, it will have the desired impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General fiction is defined as fiction that straddles enough genre lines that it can\u2019t be totally summed up by a single label. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacters In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlot In Realistic Fiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s The Difference Between Realistic Fiction And Historical Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Does Realistic Fiction Differ From General Fiction?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n