Novel Writing Glossary
Writing fiction means mastering more than just words—it means learning the language of storytelling. This glossary is here to help you do just that. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or deep into revisions, you’ll find clear, casual explanations for the most important terms in the craft. No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just the tools you need to write the story only you can tell.
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A
Act (Act I, II, III)
A way to break your story into three major chunks: beginning, middle, and end. Act I sets things up, Act II brings the conflict and growth, and Act III delivers the payoff.
Action
The physical movement or activity happening in a scene—something unfolding in real time. Action creates momentum and gives the story visible motion, distinct from dialogue, description, or internal thought.
Allegory
A story with a deeper meaning under the surface—usually political, spiritual, or moral. Think Animal Farm.
Allusion
A quick reference to something outside the story—another book, myth, event, or pop culture moment. A little wink to the audience.
Antagonist
The character or force that stands in your protagonist’s way. Doesn’t have to be evil—just opposed to your main character’s goals.
Antihero
A main character who’s not traditionally heroic. Maybe selfish, flawed, or morally gray—but still the one we’re following.
Arc (Character Arc)
The emotional or psychological journey a character goes through. They change (or don’t) in response to the story’s events.
Archetype
A classic character type that shows up across stories: the Mentor, the Rebel, the Trickster, etc. Use them as a foundation, not a formula.
Atmosphere
The overall vibe or mood of a scene or story. Creepy? Dreamy? Tense? It’s not just setting—it’s how that setting feels.
Audience Surrogate
A character who stands in for the reader, asking the questions we’d ask or reacting the way we might.
Authorial Intrusion
When the author pops in and reminds you they’re there—breaking the fourth wall or commenting directly on the story.
B
Backstory
What happened before your story began. The character’s past, the world’s history—basically, anything that shaped the now.
Beat
A single unit of story movement or emotional shift. Can be a reaction, a moment of tension, or a decision. Zoomed-in pacing.
Beta Reader
A test reader who gives you feedback before your book is published or sent to an agent. Gold, if you find the right one.
Big Bad
The ultimate antagonist. Might be a person, monster, system—whatever’s pulling the strings or posing the biggest threat.
Black Moment
The lowest point. Everything’s gone wrong, hope is gone, and your character feels like they’ve failed. Usually right before Act III.
Blurb
That catchy summary on the back of a book (or in your query). Sells the story without spoiling it.
Book Map
An outline of your novel’s structure. Helps you see the big picture—or find out where it falls apart.
B-Plot (Subplot)
A side story that runs alongside the main plot. Adds depth, supports themes, or shows another angle of your protagonist.
Brainstorming
Throwing ideas at the wall—characters, twists, settings—until something sticks. No wrong answers here.
Break into Act II
The moment your character leaves their ordinary world behind and enters the main story journey. The true start of the adventure.
Build-up
The slow rise in tension before a big moment. Teasing the reader with what’s coming, so it hits harder when it lands.
C
Catalyst
The moment that kicks the story into gear. The first big shake-up, often the same as the inciting incident.
Character Arc
The way a character grows or changes over the course of the story. Could be positive, negative, or even flat—but it shows development.
Characterization
How you show who a character is—through dialogue, action, thoughts, and how others react to them.
Chekhov’s Gun
The rule that if you show a loaded gun in Act I, it better go off by Act III. Don’t introduce things that don’t matter.
Cliché
An overused idea, phrase, or character type. Familiarity isn’t always bad—but clichés can make your story feel tired.
Climax
The high point of tension in your story. The showdown, the big decision, the can’t-turn-back moment that decides the outcome.
Complication
A new problem that makes things messier. Keeps the story from taking a straight, easy path.
Concept
The core idea of your story. Can usually be summed up in one or two sentences. Think high-level pitch.
Concrete Detail
Specific, sensory info that brings a scene to life. Helps readers see, hear, smell, and feel the story.
Conflict
The struggle at the heart of the story. Someone wants something, something’s in the way. Boom—plot.
Continuity
Making sure your story stays consistent—names, timelines, settings, even logic. Readers notice when it slips.
Core Wound
The emotional hurt in your character’s past that shapes how they see the world—and themselves.
Copyedit
A level of editing that checks grammar, punctuation, consistency, and clarity. The polish pass.
Creative Nonfiction
True stories told using narrative techniques from fiction. Memoir, personal essays, literary journalism, etc.
Crisis
A major decision point where your character is forced to act—often leading straight into the climax.
D
Denouement
The final part of your story where loose ends get tied up and we see the aftermath of the climax. The new normal.
Deus Ex Machina
When a sudden, unexpected event swoops in to solve everything. Usually feels cheap unless it’s been set up well.
Developmental Edit
Big-picture editing. Focuses on plot, structure, pacing, characters—not grammar or spelling.
Dialogue
What your characters say out loud. Good dialogue feels real, shows personality, and drives the story forward.
Diction
Word choice. Casual or formal, poetic or punchy—diction helps shape voice and tone.
Discovery Draft
Your very first draft—where you’re figuring it out as you go. Messy? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.
Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something the characters don’t. Builds tension and sometimes humor.
Dystopia
A fictional world where things have gone very, very wrong. Often features oppressive governments, surveillance, or societal collapse.
Dynamic Character
A character who changes over the course of the story. The opposite of a static character.
E
Editor
The person who helps make your story better. Might focus on big picture (developmental), sentence level (line edit), or just grammar (copyedit).
Elevator Pitch
Your story in one or two sentences. Short, punchy, and enough to make someone say, “Tell me more.”
Emotion (on the page)
What your characters are feeling—and what your reader is feeling too. Comes through action, dialogue, and internal thought, not just telling.
Emotional Stakes
What your character stands to gain or lose emotionally if things go wrong. Makes readers care way more than just “the world is ending.”
End Hook
The last moment of a chapter or scene that makes the reader need to keep going. A little mystery, a twist, or an emotional jolt.
Epilogue
A short chapter at the end that shows what happens after the main story ends. Think of it as a little “where are they now?”
Exposition
Background info your reader needs to know. Use sparingly and blend it in naturally—nobody likes a giant info dump.
F
First Draft
The rough version where you get the story out of your head and onto the page. It’s supposed to be messy.
First Person POV
A point of view where the narrator is telling the story directly as “I.” Personal, immediate, but limited to one perspective.
Flat Character
A character who doesn’t really change or grow. That’s not always a bad thing—but too many can make a story feel shallow.
Flashback
A scene that jumps back in time to reveal something important from the past. Use with care—too many and your pacing can suffer.
Flashforward
The opposite of a flashback—jumping ahead to the future. Often used for foreshadowing or to show eventual consequences.
Foil
A character who highlights traits in another character by contrast. Think opposites that reveal each other.
Foreshadowing
Hints about what’s coming later in the story. Helps build suspense and makes payoffs feel earned.
Framing Device
A story within a story. Like a narrator telling a tale from the past, or a letter that contains the main narrative.
Freytag’s Pyramid
A classic story structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement. Old school, but still useful.
G
Genre
The category your story fits into—romance, thriller, fantasy, horror, etc. Helps set reader expectations.
Goal
What your character wants. Drives their actions and shapes the plot.
GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict)
A framework for building characters: What they want, why they want it, and what’s standing in the way.
Grounding the Reader
Helping the reader understand where they are, who they’re with, and what’s happening. Crucial for clarity.
Growth
How your character changes throughout the story. Can be slow, painful, uplifting, or even negative—but it’s what makes arcs satisfying.
H
Head-Hopping
Jumping between characters’ thoughts or POVs in a way that’s confusing or disorienting. Usually not a good look.
Hero’s Journey
A classic story structure where the protagonist leaves home, faces challenges, changes, and returns transformed. Think Star Wars.
Heroine’s Journey
A structure focused more on inner growth, healing, and community over conquest. A great alternative or complement to the hero’s journey.
High Concept
A story idea that’s easy to pitch and instantly intriguing. “It’s Jaws but in space.” Boom—high concept.
Hook
That opening moment, sentence, or scene that grabs attention. Makes the reader want to know what happens next.
Hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration used for effect. “I’ve told you a million times…” You get the idea.
I
Imagery
Language that appeals to the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell. Makes your writing vivid and immersive. Paint those mental pictures.
Imposter Syndrome
That nagging feeling that you’re not a “real” writer and everyone’s going to find out. Super common. You’re not alone, and yes, you are a real writer.
In Media Res
Starting your story right in the middle of the action. Great for grabbing attention—just make sure we catch up on the important details.
Inciting Incident
The moment that kicks off the main story. It disrupts the character’s normal life and sets everything in motion. Without it, your story hasn’t really started.
Info Dump
When too much information is dropped all at once—usually in a block of narration or dialogue. Can slow the pace and lose the reader. Spread it out and make it feel natural.
Interiority
What’s going on inside a character’s head—thoughts, emotions, reactions. Helps the reader connect with them on a deeper level.
Internal Conflict
The emotional or mental struggle happening inside a character. Fear, guilt, doubt, desire—this is where character depth lives.
Irony
When there’s a difference between expectation and reality. Could be funny, tragic, or painfully awkward. Comes in many flavors: dramatic, situational, verbal.
J
Journey (Internal/External)
The path your character takes—physically, emotionally, or both. External = the adventure or plot. Internal = the growth, change, or realization.
Juxtaposition
Placing two contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences. Can be characters, settings, ideas—anything that creates tension or reveals something deeper.
K
Kicker (Last Line)
The final punch of a chapter, scene, or story. Should leave the reader feeling something—shocked, intrigued, satisfied. A strong kicker sticks.
Kill Your Darlings
The painful but necessary process of cutting parts of your story that you love—but that don’t actually serve the plot, pacing, or characters. Hurts so good.
L
Leitmotif
A recurring image, phrase, or idea tied to a character, theme, or emotion. Subtle, symbolic, and often powerful when repeated at the right moments.
Line Edit
An editing pass that focuses on how things are written—word choice, sentence flow, tone. More detailed than a copyedit, less structural than a developmental edit.
Linear Narrative
A story told in chronological order—from beginning to end, with no major time jumps or flashbacks.
Literary Fiction
A genre focused more on style, character, and theme than on plot. Think emotional depth, big questions, and beautiful language.
Logline
A one-sentence pitch that sums up your story’s main hook. Think: who the protagonist is, what they want, and what’s in the way. Short, sharp, and intriguing.
Love Interest
The character your protagonist is (or might be) romantically drawn to. Can be sweet, spicy, complicated, or all of the above.
Low Point
A moment near the end of Act II where the protagonist feels like all is lost. They’ve failed, things are broken, and it’s not clear how they’ll recover—if at all.
M
MacGuffin
An object or goal that drives the plot but isn’t actually that important in itself. Think: the suitcase in Pulp Fiction or the ring in The Hobbit.
Manuscript
Your full draft. Could be messy, polished, or somewhere in between—but it’s the whole story, all in one place.
Market/Genre Expectations
What readers expect from a particular genre (e.g., happy endings in romance, fast pacing in thrillers). You can bend the rules—but know what they are first.
Mentor
The guide who helps your protagonist grow. Think Gandalf, Dumbledore, or Yoda. They usually know more than they’re letting on.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that compares two things by saying one is the other. Not just flowery language—it can shape how we understand a character or theme.
Midpoint
The halfway mark in your story. Something big happens here that changes the game—new info, a reversal, or a big emotional shift.
Mirror Character
Someone who reflects your protagonist’s traits, flaws, or journey—either by being similar or their total opposite.
Monologue
A longer speech from a character, often revealing thoughts, backstory, or internal conflict. Can be powerful if used sparingly.
Mood
The emotional flavor of a scene. Is it eerie? Lighthearted? Tense? Different from tone—mood is what the reader feels.
Moral Dilemma
A choice between two (or more) difficult options—often where no answer is clearly right. Adds depth and stakes.
Motivation
What’s driving your character to act. Could be love, revenge, fear, curiosity—just make sure it’s believable.
N
NaNoWriMo
Short for National Novel Writing Month—an annual challenge to write 50,000 words in November. A wild, messy, glorious sprint.
Narrative
The story being told. It’s the combination of plot, characters, voice, and structure—basically, how everything unfolds on the page.
Narrative Distance
How close the reader feels to the character’s thoughts and feelings. Can be deep (in their head) or distant (more removed and objective).
Narrator
The voice telling the story. Could be a character, an outside observer, or someone with more omniscient knowledge.
Negative Character Arc
When a character changes, but in the wrong direction. They might become crueler, more broken, or lose their sense of self entirely.
Novel-in-Stories
A book made up of connected short stories that form a bigger narrative. Each chapter can stand alone, but they build something together.
O
NaNoWriMo
Short for National Novel Writing Month—an annual challenge to write 50,000 words in November. A wild, messy, glorious sprint.
Narrative
The story being told. It’s the combination of plot, characters, voice, and structure—basically, how everything unfolds on the page.
Narrative Distance
How close the reader feels to the character’s thoughts and feelings. Can be deep (in their head) or distant (more removed and objective).
Narrator
The voice telling the story. Could be a character, an outside observer, or someone with more omniscient knowledge.
Negative Character Arc
When a character changes, but in the wrong direction. They might become crueler, more broken, or lose their sense of self entirely.
Novel-in-Stories
A book made up of connected short stories that form a bigger narrative. Each chapter can stand alone, but they build something together.
P
Pacing
The speed at which your story moves. Fast in an action scene, slower in a reflective moment. Good pacing varies to keep readers hooked.
Pantsing
Writing without a plan—discovering the story as you go. The opposite of outlining. Fun, chaotic, totally valid.
Pantser
A writer who flies by the seat of their pants. Relies on instinct, momentum, and in-the-moment inspiration.
Planting and Payoff
Setting something up early in the story so it can come back later in a satisfying way. Builds trust and makes the world feel tight.
Plot
The sequence of events in your story—what happens and why. It’s the engine that keeps the story moving forward.
Plot Hole
A gap in logic that breaks the story’s internal rules. Confuses readers and pulls them out of the world. Patch those holes!
Plot Twist
A surprise that flips what the reader thought they knew. Great for suspense—but it needs to make sense in hindsight.
Point of View (POV)
Who’s telling the story—and how close we are to their thoughts. First person, third limited, third omniscient, etc.
Polishing
The final clean-up phase—fixing sentences, trimming fat, choosing the right words. The sparkle pass before publishing or submission.
Premise
The foundation of your story idea—what it’s about at its most basic. “A teenage girl volunteers to take her sister’s place in a deadly game.”
Prologue
A short section before the main story begins. Can set the stage, hint at backstory, or introduce a key mystery. Use only if it truly adds something.
Protagonist
Your main character—the one with the most at stake, the one we’re rooting for. Doesn’t have to be a hero, but does need to drive the story.
Q
Query Letter
A one-page pitch you send to agents or publishers. Includes your hook, a short summary of the book, and a bit about you. It’s your foot in the door.
Quest Narrative
A story structure where the protagonist goes on a journey to achieve a goal—often physical, but packed with emotional or spiritual growth along the way.
Quiet Scene
A slower moment that gives characters (and readers) a breather. Often emotional, reflective, or intimate. Crucial for balance—can hit just as hard as the big action.
R
Red Herring
A clue or detail meant to mislead the reader. Common in mysteries and thrillers—but works anywhere tension and surprise matter.
Resolution
The part after the climax where things settle. Conflicts are resolved, questions are answered, and we get a sense of what life looks like now.
Retcon
Short for “retroactive continuity.” Changing something in the backstory or worldbuilding after it’s already been established. Tricky, but sometimes necessary.
Reveal
A big moment where the audience (and often the characters) learn something crucial. Secrets, twists, identities—it all comes out here.
Reversal
A major turning point where the direction of the story changes. Could be a win that turns into a loss—or a seeming disaster that opens a new door.
Revision
The process of rewriting and reshaping your story. Not just fixing typos—this is where the real magic happens.
Rising Action
Everything that builds tension between the inciting incident and the climax. It’s where things get messier, harder, and more intense.
Round Character
A well-developed character with layers, flaws, and complexity. Feels like a real person, not just a type.
S
Save the Cat
A story structure and writing philosophy built around emotional beats. Named after the moment where the hero does something endearing early on.
Scene
A unit of story with a beginning, middle, and end. Something happens, characters react, stakes shift. Think mini-story within the big story.
Scene vs. Summary
Scene = action happening in real time.
Summary = telling us what happened after the fact.
Both are useful—but scenes are more immersive.
Setting
Where and when your story takes place. More than just scenery—it shapes mood, theme, and what’s possible in the world.
Show, Don’t Tell
One of the golden rules of writing. Instead of saying “she was angry,” show us the clenched fists, the sharp tone, the slammed door.
Stakes
What’s on the line if your character fails. Could be life or death—or just heartbreak, shame, or lost opportunity. Make us care.
Story Structure
The framework that holds your plot together. Three-act, hero’s journey, Save the Cat—whatever helps you shape the arc of your story.
Style
Your unique way of writing. Sentence length, word choice, rhythm—style is voice in action.
Subplot
A smaller story running alongside the main plot. Often involves secondary characters or personal goals. Adds depth and richness.
Suspense
The feeling that something is about to happen—good or bad. Makes readers lean in, even when nothing’s exploding.
Symbolism
When an object, character, or event represents something bigger. Can be subtle or bold—but it always adds extra meaning.
T
Tension
The sense that something’s at stake or about to go wrong. Keeps readers engaged. Can be huge (a bomb about to explode) or small (an awkward pause).
Theme
The deeper meaning beneath your story. It’s what you’re really exploring—love, power, identity, loss, redemption. It’s not the plot, but it gives the plot weight.
Third Person Limited
A POV where the narrator is outside the story but closely follows one character’s thoughts and experiences.
Third Person Omniscient
A narrator who knows everything about everyone. Can jump between characters and reveal anything—but needs a strong hand to stay focused.
Three-Act Structure
A classic story shape: beginning (setup), middle (confrontation), end (resolution). Simple, flexible, and still one of the best tools out there.
Tone
The overall attitude or flavor of your writing. Is it sarcastic, hopeful, dark, dreamy? Tone helps shape how the story feels to the reader.
Tropes
Recurring elements or themes that show up in stories—like the chosen one, the love triangle, or the wise mentor. They’re not bad! Just use them with intention.
Turning Point
A moment when something shifts dramatically—usually at the midpoint or climax. Changes the direction of the story or the character’s mindset.
U
Underwriting
When you don’t give quite enough detail—leaving scenes or emotions undercooked. The opposite of overwriting. Watch for missing beats.
Unreliable Narrator
A narrator who can’t be fully trusted—maybe they lie, misunderstand, or have their own agenda. Keeps readers guessing.
Urban Fantasy
A subgenre where magical or supernatural stuff happens in a modern, real-world setting. Think Buffy, The Dresden Files, Shadowhunters.
Utopia
A fictional world where everything’s perfect—or at least seems that way. Often used ironically or to set up contrast with dystopia.
V
Villain
The antagonist with flair. Usually a person, often has a personal connection to the protagonist, and can totally steal the show if done right.
Vivid Detail
The kind of description that brings your story to life. Specific, sensory, and clear. Helps readers see the movie in their minds.
Voice
The personality that comes through your writing. Could be the narrator’s voice or your own as an author. Unique, authentic voice = gold.
W
Word Count
How long your manuscript is. Matters more than you’d think—especially for querying, genre expectations, and pacing.
Work-in-Progress (WIP)
The thing you’re writing right now. Might be a mess, might be magic. Either way, it’s yours—and it’s happening.
Worldbuilding
Creating the rules, history, culture, and feel of your story’s setting—especially in fantasy or sci-fi. The more real it feels, the more immersive it is.
Writing Group
A crew of fellow writers who share feedback, cheer you on, and understand your weird obsession with fictional people. Get one—they help.
Writing Sprint
A timed writing session where you focus on getting words down without stopping to edit. Great for busting blocks and building momentum.
X,Y,Z
Xenofiction
Stories told from the point of view of non-human characters—animals, aliens, even objects. Challenges empathy and perspective.
Yearning
The deep, often unspoken want that drives your protagonist. Not just a goal, but a soul-level hunger. Connects readers to the heart of your story.
Zeitgeist
The “spirit of the times.” Capturing the mood, attitudes, or anxieties of a particular era in your story.
