Literary Devices and How to Use Them in Fiction

As novelists, our job is to create a story that captivates readers from the get-go.

Literary devices such as metaphor, irony, backstory, et al, can help readers better understand, feel, or see a greater meaning to a piece of writing.

But with many literary devices to choose from, how do you best use them?

Subtly.

Overused, they distract readers.

And if clichéd, they defeat their own purposes.

But without them, our writing can fall flat.

Confusing? Let’s start with the basics…

What is a Literary ...