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Antagonist
In the literary world, the antagonist is the opposing force to the protagonist. They generally stand in the way of the protagonist, and are an obstacle toward their goals. The antagonist may argue with, plot against, or in some way attempt to hinder the protagonist to stop them or slow their progress. An example of a protagonist would be Saruman from Lord of the Rings.
Allegory
An allegory is a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms. It is a figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. Allegories hint to other events, meanings, or people, while using another story, meaning, or person to convey their message. An example of an allegory is Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe to the New Testament.
Archetype
An archetype, in simple terms, is a prototype. It is the original model or pattern on which all related things are based. An example of an archetype is Odysseus from The Odyssey. He is an example of the archetypal hero.
Article
An article is a written composition in prose that is usually non-fiction. Generally, it is written on a specific subject and published in a magazine or newspaper. They are not usually very long.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a non-fictitious account of someone's life, written by the person themselves. Autobiographies usually cover an extensive timeframe, usually for most of the person's life. This is not to be confused with a memoir, below. An example of an autobiography would be Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.
Biography
A biography is a non-fictitious account of someone's life, as told by a ghostwriter. The writer may have compiled the information directly from the source (via interviews they conducted), or though other accounts told by acquaintances, diary entries, or what is known in history.
Book
A book is a written or printed work of fiction or non-fiction, usually on sheets of paper that have been fastened or bound together. Generally in the literary world, a book is a finished manuscript that has been published or accepted for publication. However, many writers refer to their unfinished/unpublished manuscripts as 'books'.
Book Proposal
A book proposal is the description of a proposed book that an author sends to a literary agent or publisher. It might include the basic information or summary of the book's content, its organization, a chapter-by-chapter outline or summary, possibly a cast of the characters if it is a fiction book, maybe the author's qualifications and anywhere from one to three sample chapters. It is one of the preliminary steps to getting published, and an essential one.
Chapter
A chapter is a section of a book that helps split up the action. Books will usually be split up into chapters to help ease transitions and to give the reader a stopping point when needed. Chapters are usually either titled or numbered. Books with titled chapters will usually have a table of contents at the beginning of the book, while books with numbered chapters usually do not.
Character A character is a figure in a piece of literary work that carries out the action and helps move the story along. Characters range from complex to underdeveloped, they may or may not have names or descriptions, and are the ones completing the story's action, as well as participating in dialogue. There are several common types of characters, including the confidante, dynamic character, flat character, foil, round character, static character, and stock character. Characters do not have to be human.
Classic
A classic novel is a novel that conveyed a relevant message to the people of that time period, and has withstood the test of time, and is still (or is now)popular today and that still has relevance to the subject it discusses. Modern classics are works of literature that are more recent, but still convey an important message, and are perceived to hold a future importance. An instant classic is a literary piece that was almost instantly popular, and due to its astounding popularity it is assumed that it will still be that popular in future years. An example of a classic is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.
Clipping
A clipping, or tearsheet, is a sample of published work "torn" from where it appeared/was published.
Confidante
A confidante is someone in who the main character confides. The confident is a device that authors use to let the readers know what the character's feelings and intentions and thoughts are. They reveal the character's personality to the reader. An example of a confidant is Daniel Molloy in Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice.
Cover Page
A cover page is the author's version of the cover for a manuscript. The author designs it themselves and attaches it to the front of their manuscript to make the manuscript look more formal. It is essential when submitting your manuscript. When making your own cover page, make sure the title and your name is easily readable.
Crime
A crime novel, or "whodunit" story, is a novel in which a crime has taken place, and the plot usually revolves around the victim or the detectives attempting to solve the case. An example of a crime novel is The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie.
Deadline
The deadline is the date when your work must be with the editor. DO NOT MISS YOUR DEADLINE.
Deck
The deck is a sentence or two underneath the headline of your piece to summarize the work.
Dialogue
Dialogue is spoken interaction between two characters.
Diction
Diction is the author's choice of words, phrases, sentence structure, and figurative language, which, combined, helped to create the tone and meaning of the story. Diction is usually carefully chosen, and with some writer's, their diction is a trademark style of writing.
Dynamic Character
A dynamic character is a character that grows and changes permanently throughout a story. They're usually the protagonist, or another main character. They're the ones that things happen to to bring about the mental and emotional changes in the characters.
Editing
Editing is the process of reviewing work for errors and mistakes, and seeing if there are any parts that could be taken out, or scenes that need more fleshing out. This is done first by the author in an attempt to clean up the work before it gets in the hands of their editors.
Editor
An editor is someone hired, usually by the publishing company, to edit a manuscript that has already been accepted and is in the process of being published. The editor works to cut unnecessary scenes, identify which scenes need more detail and/or action, and what passages don't make sense. They're not there, so much, to pick at your spelling and grammar: that's the author's job. The editor makes suggestions to help you better your book.
Epilogue
An epilogue is a sort of "last chapter" that brings closure to the book. It doesn't contain any action relevant to the advancement of the plot, but it may detail how the main character is coping due to the action from the plot. It may also hint at action that will come in a sequel, or action that will take place outside the realm of the book.
Epistolary Novel
An epistolary novel is a form of writing where all the action is detailed in letters written between people, or from one person to another. Usually the letters are to/from the protagonist, but in some novels, other characters' letters are also utilized. An example of an epistolary novel is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
Essay
An essay is a short literary work written from the author's point of view on one of a multitude of subjects. Essays are written in prose, and range from being a single page in length to a lengthy essay of multiple pages. An example of an essay is An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke.
Fantasy
A fantasy novel is a novel that has elements that do not reflect real life. They may include creatures that do not exist (like a pheonix, or dragons), they may be from the point of view of animals (whom usually talk), take place on another world (usually created by the author), or other such elements. While some fantasy is incredibly realistic, with only a few fantastical elements, any work form that exhibits non-realistic elements is considered fantasy. A few examples of fantasy are Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Sabriel by Garth Nix, and Redwall by Brian Jacques.
Feature Article
A feature article is a large article that often includes interviews, quotations and covers a key topic. They're often time or issue relevant.
Fiction
A piece of work that is fiction, whether it is a full-length novel, a novella, or a short story, is a story where the characters and/or events are made up or falsified. Fiction ranges a myriad of genres each with its own style and form. Works of fiction did not actually take place, and the characters likely did not exist. However, some genres do take real people and insert them into fictitious situations. Even so, many fiction novels come with a disclaimer that any relation to real people and/or events was purely unintentional and a coincidence.
Figure of Speech
A figure of speech is a phrase commonly used by a specific culture, and has a non-literal connotation. Figures of speech are often called idioms. These phrases have special meanings that usually have nothing to do with the words used. An example of a figure of speech is You're pulling my leg!
Filler
A short few descriptive "filler" paragraphs that are essentially used to fill up space and make the piece longer.
Flat Characters
A flat character is a character that only exhibits a few, unimportant traits or characteristics that do not change throughout the story. Flat characters aren't necessarily static characters, but are usually those characters that aren't essential to the plot of the story, but there to interact with the protagonist to either create subplots or take up space.
Foil
A foil is a character that is used to enhance the traits or characteristics of another character by contrasting them with their own traits or characteristics. For example, Cinderella was an attractive, kind, hardworking person, which you could see clearly in contrast to her stepsisters who were unattractive, rude, and spoiled.
Genre
A genre is a category into which literary works are divided. The two most encompassing genres are fiction and non-fiction, and each has their own sub-genres, and those may have their own sub-genres. Some prominent fiction genres are realistic fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, crime and horror.
Genre Fiction
Genre fiction is literary works that can be readily divided into one genre.
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is someone who writes and gives the credit to someone else. They will be contracted to write or co-write a book with the author, and may or not receive credit for the work. Many times autobiographers will employ the use of a ghostwriter.
Hook
The hook is the first paragraph, or the introduction to your literary piece. It's purpose is to grab the reader's initial attention so that they want to read more. It should effectively hook them into reading more.
Horror
Horror is a fiction genre that's intention is to scare or frighten the reader by utilizing suspense and/or gore. Stephen King is one of the best known Horror authors.
Hyperbole
A hyperbole is an example of figurative language that consists of exaggerating something greatly.
Imagery
Imagery is an example of figurative language where the author appeals to the senses. Effective imagery should make the reader see, hear, feel, taste or smell what it is they are trying to convey.
Irony
Irony is an example of figurative language. There are three types of figurative language: Situational Irony is where the reader expects one thing to happen, and another thing does. Dramatic Irony is when the reader knows something the characters do not. Verbal Irony is where the character says something and means another.
Kill Fee
A kill fee is paid to authors who get their work accepted and, after the contract has been issued, the editor decides not to publish your work. This is paid by magazines, not by book publishers, and not all magazines offer this; check your contract.
Literary Agent
A literary agent is someone who negotiates between the author and the publishing company to ensure that the author gets a fair deal in the publishing of their literary work. It is not mandatory to have a literary agent in your corner, however, it's almost impossible to get published without one. Literary agents get paid out of commission, so be wary of agents who demand an up-front payment.
Mainstream
A mainstream novel is a generic novel that uses conventional techniques to tell the story. It is mostly realistic fiction, and doesn't usually encompass other genres.
Manuscript
A manuscript is a finished book that has been submitted for publication. It is the original copy of the work. Manuscripts are the unpublished form of a book, and usually are not bound.
Memoir
A memoir is an autobiographical retelling of a specific memory or time period in someone's life. It does not encompass the entire life of the author, merely a portion of it that may be significant to the writer's life. An example of a memoir is Night by Elie Weisel.
Mood
The mood is a literary tool that shows the character's take on the situation. It is the atmosphere or feeling created by the literary work through the choice of words, and by the style of the descriptions.
Motif
A motif is a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary work that helps to develop the theme.
Non-Fiction
Non-fiction is a literary genre that deals with subject matter "as is". It deals with real events, or real people, or about a subject like volcanoes. This genre could include interviews, auto/biographies, memoirs, articles, essays, etc.
Novel
A novel is an extended literary work, usually fiction, written generally in prose (although novels in verse are becoming increasingly popular). Novels develop the plot and characters more, and usually more action occurs.
Novella
A novella is a fictitious literary work that is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story or novelette. It is disputed how long it must be to be categorized as a novella, but somewhere between 80 and 120 pages, or somewhere between 17 500 - 40 000 words.
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a form of figurative language that joins two contradictory terms into one phrase. An example would be 'jumbo shrimp', or 'deafening silence'.
Philosophical Novel
A philosophical novel is a fictitious novel in which a significant portion of the book is dedicated to philosophical contemplation, philosophical matter, or a question of philosophical nature. An example of a philosophical novel is Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.
Play
A play is a literary style in which the majority of the content is dialogue and stage directions, and is meant to be performed on a stage with actors fulfilling each role. An example of a play is Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
Plot
The plot of a piece of literary work is the reason the story is told. It contains the series of events that take place.
Poetry
A type of literary work in metrical form. There are many different styles of poetry, the most popular being freeform. Freeform poetry has no set rules or guidelines, though other styles usually have rigorous guidelines by which to categorize the poem. Poetry is usually told through figurative language, and the readers usually have to infer the meaning from the diction.
Point of View
The point of view is who is telling the story. Point of view can be first person (the use of I as in, I did this), second person (the use of you, where the speaker talks directly to the reader), or third person. Third person can be omniscient (where the narrator knows the thoughts and going-ons of all the characters simultaneously), or third person can tell you the thoughts and actions of one character throughout the story.
Prologue
A prologue is an introduction to the story. It may contain plot points that occurred before the action in the story that affects the outcome of the story, or a foreshadowing of what is to come.
Prose
Prose is ordinary as distinguished from verse. Prose is writing in complete sentences and paragraphs.
Protagonist
The protagonist is the main character in the story. They are the character who is attempting to carry out the plot, and who is hindered by the antagonist. They are the main dynamic character, and usually the most developed. Of course, most of the unfortunate occurrences befall them.
Publication
Publication is getting a manuscript accepted to be printed and sold, or with articles, you are paid to have your article printed in a magazine or newspaper.
Publisher
The publisher is a company who distributes books to be sold.
Query
A query, or query letter, is essentially a sales pitch to the editor that suggests the idea for the manuscript, makes a brief comment about the intended approach, and may include the author's credentials. It is usually kept to a single-spaced page, and is written to show your writing style.
Reprints
Articles that have been previously printed by another newspaper/magazine.
Ribbon Copy
A ribbon copy is the original typed or computer printed manuscript. Most writers will send photocopies of the ribbon copy to the publishing company.
Rights
Your rights are your claims to your work. When a publisher agrees to publish your work, they own a portion of the rights to the piece. Types of rights are all rights, where the editor buys all the rights and you cannot resell the piece; electronic rights, where the editor has the rights to publish the article online_ first rights, where the company purchases the rights to print it first; regional rights, where they own the rights to a particular region only; and second rights, where they buy the rights to something that has been previously published.
Round Character
Round characters are well developed characters who demonstrate varied traits and characteristics. They may also be dynamic.
SASE
A SASE is a 'Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope'. The writer must send a SASE with their manuscript for their return in case of rejection.
Science Fiction
Science fiction is a fiction genre that includes themes, events, or characters that speculates the future. It can include technology, life, and inter-world contact, among other things. An example of science fiction is Enders Game by Orson Scott Card.
Setting
The setting is where and when the story takes place.
Short Story
A short story is a fictitious essay. The characters and plot aren't fully developed, and not much action occurs.
Simultaneous Submission
Simultaneous submission is when your manuscript is being sent to more than one editor at a time for consideration. While this is acceptable by most editors, please remember to notify all the editors that the manuscript is not only in the hands of themselves. However, still check to see if this is acceptable, as some editors don't like it.
Static Character
A static character is a character that remains the same throughout the story, whose views and attitude toward life do not change, and whose outlook, personality, motivation, habits, perceptions, etc. are not affected by the plot. Generally the static character is the antagonist.
Stock Character
A stock character is the archetypal character whose "type" is recognizable by most readers, i.e. the "dumb jock". They are usually static and underdeveloped, and are not the focus of the story.
Submission
Your submission is your completed literary work that has been submitted for consideration for publishing.
Symbol
A symbol is an element in a story that is essential to the plot or signifies something important. A symbol can be an object that symbolizes an idea, such as freedom, or it can be a situation that symbolizes a character's traits. In 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Marquez, the little gold fishes that Aureliano Buendía makes symbolize the artistic nature of the family.
Theme
The theme is the recurrent idea in literary work, it's what the piece is trying to accomplish.
Timeless Piece
A timeless piece is an article that can be used at any time of the year, and even across several years.
Tone
The tone is the voice of the author. It's how the author feels about the situation, and how the author wants the reader to view the situation.
Unsolicited Manuscript
An unsolicited manuscript is any piece of literary work that has been submitted without the invitation of the editor or publisher. If the publisher has responded to your query asking you to send your manuscript, it then becomes solicited. Unsolicited manuscripts are usually not taken into much consideration.
Writer's Block
Writer's block is the unfortunate occurrence when a writer loses focus or inspiration in their work, and cannot continue writing. This may last a couple of hours, days, or longer.
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