Verisimilitude & the fiction contract
by Ashley Holloway
“Verisimilitude: the quality of seeming true or having the appearance of being true real.” Or so says the Cambridge Online Dictionary. What does this mean in relation to writing fiction? Does factual accuracy matter in fiction? Isn’t fiction… fiction?
Most authors would agree that an element of truth is important in writing fiction, or rather, verisimilitude is. An intangible contract of sorts exists between reader and writer, where the reader inherently agrees to suspend belief and commit their time and attention to the story while the writer promises to create a story that is interesting and engaging. It’s how you get buy-in from your readers. Yes, the fiction contract; the intersection between reader, writer, and text. How do we create one when it isn’t something that’s written down or something that can be held in our hands?
Fiction is the realm through which anything can be explored; in essence, fiction can be anything you want it to be. As writers, we use language to understand, explore, and persuade others of our thoughts and beliefs about the things that matter to us; we create entire worlds within the page(s) to escape to. We use verisimilitude. Yet in doing
so, we create expectations for our readers, and our readers of us. Fiction is an intentional choice for both writer and reader; the writer has chosen this as the medium through which their story is told, and the reader accepts this to be fictional in nature. And it starts from the first paragraph.
From the opening sentences, the writer begins adding elements of the contract, or rather, makes promises about the story through establishing the essential truths: the point of view, characters, plot, tone, voice, genre, emotional undercurrent, and style. In shaping these elements into the narrative, the writer is setting up expectations for the reader to help guide them through the story, and, using different writing techniques, these must be maintained until the conclusion. This helps to create a satisfying conclusion to the story, and, like chocolate cake, satisfaction is important.
Say, for example, you begin writing your story in first-person narrative, but along the way, switch the focus of the point of view to a different character. This challenges what the reader knows and expects thus far in the story. Now, this is something a reader can become accustomed to, particularly if there is consistency and a point to this switch. In contrast, inserting a random character into the plot midway through simply for the sake of adding another character, or, say, a rapid change of events or plot twist that doesn’t align with the established story (fire-breathing eels + Shakespeare) risks alienating the reader in a big way. Again, that’s not to say that plot twists are against the rules or that you should avoid changing perspectives in the story. In fact, readers often welcome this. However, if there is a large shift in your story, be sure to add in hints or use foreshadowing to prepare the reader for the unexpected.
Ultimately, establishing a solid fiction contract with readers will keep them reading. Verisimilitude keeps them reading. Basically, the fiction contract is like the fortune cookie in Chinese food; you know it’s coming at the end of the meal and if you don’t get it, it’s just not the same.
Self-proclaimed logophile and devourer of books, Ashley Holloway teaches writing classes and healthcare leadership in Calgary, AB. She writes in a variety of genres with work appearing across Canada and the US and has co-authored three books (with Jen Knox!). Ashley serves as Editorial Director for Unleash Creatives and her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.
Good reminders here to keep it real, even when writing fiction. Thanks, Ashley!