Final answer:
An author writes fiction by creating a psychological map of characters, allowing flexibility in storytelling while ensuring historical settings remain accurate when used. Famous works like Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables' and Kjartan Fløgstad's 'Grense Jacobselv' serve as prime examples of this technique. Characterization plays a key role in bringing the story to life and engaging the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an author writes fiction, he "paints" a psychological map of characters. Fiction authors have the freedom to craft stories from the depths of their imaginations, unrestricted by the confines of reality. The intricate web they weave consists of plots and characters that, while they may take inspiration from factual events or people, are not bound by historical accuracy.
History, though rich with stories, does not capture every detail, and so fiction writers often "fill in" gaps with what might have happened. They create authentic worlds, settings, and characters, giving them qualities and dialogues that make them feel real. Authors must take care, however, when their stories interact with historical facts. While the writer's creations should steer clear of altering known history, they can construct narratives that run parallel to established events, offering readers a unique perspective.
An example of such historical fiction is Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, where the characters and their personal journeys are fictional, but they unfold against the backdrop of the French Revolution, a real historical event. In both Les Miserables and Kjartan Fløgstad's Grense Jacobselv, the authors use historical settings to ground their stories while spinning new tales with fictional characters that captivate the readers' imaginations and contribute to the richness of the narrative.
The craft of characterization in fiction is crucial as it provides depth to the story. The author must ensure that the characters' language and behavior consistently reflect their individual traits and contribute to the overall story arc. This engagement with character helps to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader, inviting them to explore the imaginative world that the author has constructed.