What are Novels?
Novel, n.: "a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes." (Dictionary.com)
There are millions of novels out there in the world, all in different languages, of different lengths, and of different plots. It's endless the number of novel authors there are out there, new ones emerging all over the globe. Novels themselves are a unique form of literature, and cannot be compared to any others. For example, there aren't many ten page novels out there. One of the main determining factors of a novel is that it has more than one conflict going on simultaneously. While the major conflict is more prominent there are minor ones happening within the characters and the world around them. It makes for quite an interesting read!
The writing within novels is usually fictious. Of fiction, there are two kinds:
Fiction
Non-fiction
Below you can find definitions of each, along with examples of that kind of writing. Enjoy!
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There are millions of novels out there in the world, all in different languages, of different lengths, and of different plots. It's endless the number of novel authors there are out there, new ones emerging all over the globe. Novels themselves are a unique form of literature, and cannot be compared to any others. For example, there aren't many ten page novels out there. One of the main determining factors of a novel is that it has more than one conflict going on simultaneously. While the major conflict is more prominent there are minor ones happening within the characters and the world around them. It makes for quite an interesting read!
The writing within novels is usually fictious. Of fiction, there are two kinds:
Fiction
Non-fiction
Below you can find definitions of each, along with examples of that kind of writing. Enjoy!
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Fiction
Fiction as a general topic can be broken down into many sub-categories. Mainly, fiction can be thought of as an imaginary setting with either realistic or non-realistic references. While a book series like Harry Potter by the world-renowned J.K. Rowling is placed in a completely made-up setting, a book series like Maximum Ride by James Patterson is placed in more familiar places such as America. Fiction is the most read of category of literature, for it has many genres. A few of the more popular genres are shown below. (Click on the pictures on the right to read an excerpt of that story)
Suspense/Thriller:Suspense/thriller fiction is the perfect mix between horror and action. It keeps you on your toes, on the edge of your seat, hooked into the plotline. Through the use of multiple cliffhangers and fore-shadowing, the reader doesn't know what might happen next. The action and thrills building up to an eventual climax would keep anyone who wants an occasional excitment busy.
Science Fiction:Science Fiction is known as fiction with realistic aspects to it. A great way of thinking of it is a "this could happen" kind of thinking. Typically, Science Fiction novels are placed in modern-day or past settings with connections to realistic things. In the book by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games the setting is in a futuristic America, so there is a realistic preference within it. And yet, simultaneously, it is placed in the future, so concepts such as hovercars are included to give it that fantasy feel. This is a great kind of fiction for those who want to go off to a distant world, but still have connections to their own.
Mystery:Mystery fiction sounds exactly as it is, the whole thing's a mystery. The plot of the book remains unsolved until the very end where they finally give away "Who dunnit". The storyline is usually based around a crime of some sort, whther it's a robbery or murder, but it keeps the reader thinking. As they read through they ask lots of questions, which is why mysteries are great books for book clubs and comphrension groups to discuss. Who knows what might happen? It may be a total giveaway, or it might be a complete surprise! For those who enjoy puzzles and riddles (things that make you think) this would be for you.
RomanceAnother subject that sounds exactly as its named. In this kind of fiction there could be a prince who rides up on a great white horse and slays the villain, leaving lots of room for that dramtic final kiss and leaving it slow and well drawn out. There isn't as much violence in these kinds of stories, but there is lots of passion and hearts soaring between two lovers, the kind of fiction that'll melt your heart. Sometimes, it's sugary sweet, and others, its dark and thick with intensity. Either or, the guy usually gets the girl (or vice versa), and there's guaranteed to be kissing. Readers who want a happy ending and star-crossed lovers would definetely prefer this kind of fiction.
Women's:Women's Fiction can be hard to identify. Basically, it's fiction that appeals to women, but only because they can connect with it and understand the mindsets of the characters. Key points to this are relationships and their struggles, strong main characters (female of course) and women overcoming problems that seem next to impossible. Basically, it's a genre all about women and their strengths, targeted for women readers.
Young Adult:This kind of fiction is perhaps most popular among teens and young adults alike, with novels by writers such as J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins, these are fictional stories with topics that are more on the mature side. This kind of novel has a main character in their teen years who can be placed in any number of situations. Over the years, the popularity of this genre has increased dramatically as readers have picked up these amazing books, so they are definetely a recomendment.
WesternWesterns are another kind of little-known fiction. Just like the movies they are placed in the west, typically a desert setting in a small town. They usually/ stereotypically involve cowboys with Natives, and outlaws. For those who enjoy Western movies, Western books aren't too far off.
Horror:The door creaks in the middle of the night and the cold wind blows in. You're pretty sure you closed the window before you went to sleep, but did you really? You're heart's pounding in your head as you think to yourself "I feel like I'm being watched..." Little do you realize that there's a murderer standing at the end of your bed, a sharp kitchen knife in his hands. Horror is a sub-category of fiction that's all about FEAR. After reading these kinds of books, your heart will be pumping adrenaline and you won't be able to fall asleep. The people who write such terrors think of the most dark and twisted ways to express something, such as lining every page with blood. Death is a popular topic within this category, there is at least one murder per novel. So if you're one for spine-chilling tales and lots of gore this is for you!
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Non-fiction
One other form of fiction, which is also wildly popular, is non-fiction. Non-fiction is exactly as it sounds, events that are not exactly ficitonal. Usually this involves either a lot of research, or a lot of time. The author could write about someone else (a biography) or about themselves (an autobigraphy). Maybe an author had a fascination for Martin Luther King Jr. and decided to write about his life by looking through multiple reference books and talking to people who knew him, or maybe the author just lost their job and went from living a comfy life in the suburbs to living homeless on the streets. Whatever their situation is, these kinds of books are true stories of real people, with lots to learn about inside.