Writer's Glossary

This glossary defines the craft terms fiction writers actually use — logline, synopsis, character arc, point of view, stakes, and more — in plain language, with why each one matters and how to use it. You don't need the vocabulary to write a first draft, but it makes revision far easier: shared terms let you name what a scene is missing, follow craft advice without getting lost, and communicate clearly with editors and beta readers. Each page below takes one term, defines it crisply, and shows it in practice.

Why the vocabulary helps

Most writing problems are easier to fix once you can name them. "The middle drags" becomes actionable when you can ask whether the stakes rise, whether each scene turns on a real beat, and whether the character arc is moving. A precise term turns a vague unease about a draft into a specific thing to work on.

The terms also unlock the wider craft conversation. Every book on writing, every editorial note, every workshop assumes a shared vocabulary. Knowing it means advice lands instead of sliding past — and you can decide which "rules" to keep and which to break on purpose.

Glossary entries

Each page defines one term, says why it matters, and shows how to use it.

  • Logline — how to summarize your whole story in a single sentence
  • Synopsis — the full prose summary that reveals the ending: structure, length, and purpose

This glossary is growing: character arc, point of view, inciting incident, stakes, and more.