In realistic fiction stories, the story should be about something that could happen, but something that didn’t happen. When using realistic fiction, you apply what you know and activities you do in your every day life to the story. Bill Wallace writes many realistic fiction novels where he uses one of his dogs or cats. Many authors write stories in this genre because they think the reader will be more likely to buy the book if the story relates to them. I’ve read many books about kids who are dealing with a bully, and many kids go through that, so the story might give them an idea of what to do. Here are some basic procedures when writing a realistic fiction story:
Step #1
Topic
Before starting, always know what your topic is. I mean, you got to know what you’re going to write about before you write it.
Step #2
Webs
After you select a topic, it is a good idea to make a web. A web shows what the characters are, any problems that occur in the story, where it takes place, and the materials you’ll need to write the story. Below is an example of a web.
Step #3
Outline
It’s hard to make a web into the story. You want to start with the main character. At the beginning tell about him a little. Find a way to introduce all of the characters. An example is if (using characters from above) Tommy gets a ride to school from his mom and dad. He meets Maggie there and then they both run into Nick, the bully. You’ve just introduced all the characters.
Step #4
Rough Draft
ALWAYS write a rough draft before the final copy. This way, you can change things you think could be better when you type of the final copy. It should be hand written, and don’t worry about writing neatly as long as you can read it.
Step #5
Final Copy
When typing up the final copy, feel free to make changes. That’s the whole reason why you do a rough draft.
Step #6
Oral Presentation
This is the most important part of writing and presenting a story. You can have a great story, but if you don’t present just right, people may not want to read it. You can have a very bad story, but if you do a fantastic presentation, people may really want to read it. Remember to include a little bit about the topic, and leave them wanting to know what happens. Here are some tips for an oral presentation:
1. Stand up straight.
2. Speak clearly and with enthusiasm.
3. Make eye contact with the audience.
4. Don’t sway or bounce.
5. Don’t fiddle around with anything (hands, pants).
6. Keep your hands at your sides, not in your pockets.
7. Smile.