I'm glad you asked this question.

Reality fiction requires definitions, too. You need to identify a list of story elements that might confuse your reader and need further clarification for understanding. These include RESEARCH ELEMENTS and FICTIONAL ELEMENTS.

1. RESEARCH ELEMENTS

If you were writing for The Big Bang Theory, you might need to research and make sure you understand:
- Theoretical physics
- String theory
- Space shuttles
- Video games
- University research grants
- University staffing structures
- Comic book collecting
- DC heroes versus Marvel heroes
- Indian culture
- Jewish culture

Although many people already understand most or all of these elements, you can't assume that all your readers will understand them. Therefore, as a writer, you will want to make it a point to "define" these elements in your writing. The definitions within your writing should manifest themselves in the form of actions and dialog that explain the elements, not "as-you-know,-bob" blatant definitions. For example, we learn about Indian and Jewish culture by watching Rajesh and Howard interact with their parents, not because someone says, "Let me tell you about Indian culture..." But in this exercise, you're just listing the things that you may need to make it a point to explain through your writing later.

You will have a "Research" bonus assignment (if you choose to do it) during which you can further explore any of the elements that you personally don't fully understand yet and want to make sure you get right within the context of your writing.

2. FICTIONAL ELEMENTS

Your writing will include fictional elements that you create, which will crop up repeatedly. Because the elements recur, you want to identify details about these elements and keep them neat and tidy, in an organized place, so you can easily refer to your notes in November when the elements start cropping up.

For example, your character might write for a student newspaper. You might want to define the following:
- What's it called?
- How often and when is it published?
- Who is the editor?
- What format does the publication take (print? emailed newsletter? blog?)

Here are some more examples from The Big Bang Theory:

- Sheldon's "spot"
The far right-hand cushion on the living room sofa, which Sheldon has claimed as his own because it maintains the perfect balance of television visibility, the angle to hold a discussion with others in the room, acoustics in the room, and temperature due to the proximity and angle to the window and vents.

- The Roommate Agreement
A very lengthy contract, which Sheldon required Leonard to sign when he agreed to take him on as a roommate, and which specifies such things as the bathroom schedule, rules regarding visitors, and actions either of them must take in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

...this is a great example of an element you would want to keep indefinitely in your definitions list, with room to grow, because as the seasons progress, more and more line items are referenced from the Roommate Agreement. As a writer, you would not want to state one thing in Season 2 and contradict yourself in Season 7.

- Battlestar Galactica Night (or Oatmeal-for-Breakfast Day, or Thai Night, or Halo Night)
The routine weekly schedule with which Sheldon and Leonard (and often Rajesh and Howard) comply.

...Sheldon cannot deal with variations from the schedule. So, for example, when Penny made French toast on oatmeal day, Sheldon said the French toast looked delicious, and then promptly dropped it in the trash. Here in your definitions list, you would identify what the characters eat and do on each day of the week so that as you proceed with your writing, you can go back and reference it to make sure you're complying with the routine you established. In the show The Big Bang Theory, the characters do occasionally fail to comply with the schedule, but Sheldon always complains about it. "We can't go to a bar tonight! It's Halo Night!"

Does this help clarify how a Definitions List would still apply to realistic fiction?


Cheers,
Michelle