Help Me Build the Ultimate Glossary of Writing Terms by K. M. Weiland

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com

Help Me Build the Ultimate Glossary of Writing Terms

I still clearly remember the day I learned what “WIP” meant. I was a newbie on a writing forum, and everybody was using special writing terms like  “WIP.” It got to the point where I wanted to scream: What’s a WIP? And why don’t I get one tooooooo? Then I googled it. Oh. Work-in-progress. That’s what it means. Of course.

As with any specialized occupation, writing comes complete with an equally specialized lexicon of its own. Now days, I take for granted terms like “WIP,” “MC,” “deus ex machina,” and “head hopping.” But there was a day when all I could do was slack my mouth and glaze out in confusion.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt this way.

Introducing the Ultimate Glossary of Writing Terms

ACTION BEAT

A description of the actions (gestures, facial expressions, or even thoughts) that accompany a speaking character’s words. It is included in the same paragraph as the dialogue as an indication that the person performing the action is also the person speaking.

For further study:

Action Beats

ACTIVE VOICE

The opposite of passive voice. Example: Beautiful giraffes roam the Savannah. (active) As opposed to The Savannah is roamed by beautiful giraffes. (passive) In active voice, the person or thing performing the action serves as the subject of the sentence, whereas with passive voice, the subject is the person or thing being acted upon. In linguistics, the actor in a sentence is called the “agent,” and the passive receiver of action is called the “patient.” These are independent of “subject” and “object,” but which is which determines the voice of the verb.

For further study:

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice: How to Use Both to Get the Most Out of Your Writing

ALLITERATION

A stylistic literary device identified by the repeated sound of the first consonant in a series of multiple words, or the repetition of the same sounds of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables of a phrase. For example: “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers.”

For further study:

4 Tricks for Picking the Perfect Word

ALPHA READER

An alpha reader is among the first to read a completed manuscript (MS) or work-in-progress (WIP) and is usually a close friend of the writer. The role of the alpha reader is to provide cheerleader-like support and encouragement rather than constructive criticism. See also: Beta Reader

For further study:

Advice for New Writers in an Age of Interactivity

ANTAGONIST

One standing in opposition to/thwarting the protagonist.

For further study:

Three Secrets of Three-Dimensional AntagonistsHow to Write Multiple AntagonistsEvil, Insane, Envious, and Ethical: The Four Major Types of Antagonists

ANTAGONISTIC FORCE

Whatever is standing in opposition to/thwarting the protagonist’s goal. Could be a human, but could also be an inanimate obstacle.

For further study:

What if Your Antagonist Isn’t a Person?The Pixar Way to Think About Story Conflict

ANTIHERO

A protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities such as idealism, courage, and morality. These individuals often possess dark personality traits such as disagreeableness, dishonesty, and aggressiveness. Examples: Captain Mal in Firefly or Holden in The Catcher in the Rye.

For further study:

4 Ways to Make Your Antihero Deliciously Irresistible

ARCHETYPE

A “type” of character, which is commonly repeated across literature: the mentor, the magician, etc.

For further study:

8 ½ Character Archetypes You Should Be WritingThree Character Archetypes in Fiction

AYKB

“As you know, Bob…” A method of dumping exposition through dialog, infamous for its awkwardness and lack of realism. It involves an otherwise unnecessary conversation between two characters that the author forces on them solely to inform the reader of what the characters both already know. Writers often choose this technique to avoid taking the reader out of the story to reveal important background information, but it usually works against them by taking the characters out of the story instead.

For further study:

The Sneaky Secret Life of “As You Know, Bob…”

BACK MATTER

The additional parts of a book, appearing after the main body of the text (i.e., acknowledgements, historical notes, explanatory notes, end notes, an afterword, index, bibliographies, and appendixes). Also called End Matter.

BACKSTORY

Inserting information about past events or thoughts that shaped the characters or story world.

For further study:

Backstory: The Importance of What Isn’t ToldThe #1 Problem With Backstory (and Its Simple Fix)Give Me 3 Minutes and I’ll Give You a Better (and Darker) BackstoryThe Only Rule About Backstory That MattersWhen Not to Tell Your Character’s Backstory

BEAT

A term closely related to outlining. Basically, a description of the important action to take place in a story. May or may not be incredibly thorough, but is likely to hit the highlights of the important action of the story.

BETA READER

Beta readers provide feedback during the writing and/or editing process and are not explicitly proofreaders or editors, but can serve in that context. Elements highlighted by beta readers encompass things such as plot holes and problems with continuity, characterization, and believability. In fiction and non-fiction, the beta might also assist the author with fact-checking.

For further study:

A Quick Guide to Beta Reader EtiquetteWhy Non-Writers Are the Best Beta ReadersRelax! Beta Readers Aren’t Scary: Here Are 3 Truths About Them

BLACK MOMENT/LOW MOMENT

The part in the story at which everything looks hopeless and the situation is at its lowest point. Usually coincides with the Third Plot Point.

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