Writing Terms Every Aspiring Author Should Know

When you start writing, you're likely to come across unfamiliar lingo and terms. After all, starting a novel and breaking into the author sphere is like entering a new world. But whether you're drafting your first story or revising your fifth novel, understanding the language of writing is essential. These key terms will not only deepen your knowledge of storytelling but also help you communicate more effectively with editors, publishers, and fellow writers! From literary fundamentals to fan-favorite expressions, here are some writing terms every aspiring author should know.

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OTP (One True Pairing)

OTP stands for "One True Pairing" and refers to a fan's favorite romantic couple. It represents a book's pairing that you passionately believe belongs together, whether or not they end up together in the original story. While OTPs originate from fan culture, the concept highlights the importance of ensuring your romantic characters have chemistry and an emotional connection. Overall, understanding what makes a pairing resonate with readers can help you craft compelling romantic subplots and unforgettable OTPs.

Archetypes

Archetypes are universal character types or story patterns that recur across cultures and time periods. These include roles like the Hero, the Mentor, the Villain, and the Trickster. As a writer, you can use archetypes almost like foundational blueprints to create characters that feel instantly recognizable while still unique. When used thoughtfully, archetypes provide structure to your story and tap into common but deep patterns that make stories emotionally powerful and timeless.

Protagonist

Protagonist just refers to the main character in a story—the one who drives the plot and faces the central conflict. They are often the character the audience roots for and experiences the story through. Whether it’s a hero overcoming great odds or an antihero navigating a moral gray area, your protagonist’s goals, decisions, and growth shape your story. That's why crafting a strong and relatable protagonist is crucial to keeping readers invested from beginning to end!

Synopsis

A synopsis is a concise summary of your story’s plot, characters, and key developments. It is often used when pitching a book to agents or publishers because it provides a clear overview of the story—beginning, middle, and end included. Once you've developed a clear synopsis, you can also use it to summarize or explain your book to future readers. In general, a well-written synopsis not only demonstrates your understanding of story structure but also showcases your ability to distill your work into its most compelling parts.

Alliteration

Last, but not least, is alliteration. Alliteration is a literary device in which a series of words begin with the same letter or consonant sound, such as “whispering winds” or “dark, daunting decisions.” It’s often used in poetry, titles, and prose to create rhythm, but you could utilize it throughout your story. In a novel, alliteration can enhance the musicality and mood of your story and make phrases more memorable. When used intentionally, it can really add a poetic touch to your writing and reinforce its tone.

There's a ton of writing lingo out there, from alliteration to OTP and from beta reader to synopsis. The words listed above are just a sample of the hundreds of writing terms used in the world. So, stay tuned for part 2!