fictionalization
Making it up
Fictionalization is the process of turning real events, people, or facts into fiction.
A novelist might base a character on a historical figure but change details for dramatic effect—that's fictionalization.
The term often implies some distortion of truth: Critics accused the film of fictionalization rather than faithful biography.
The verb is fictionalize.
Overstating beyond reality
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- enhancementIncrease in quality
embroidery · coloring · dramatization · misrepresentation · hyperbole · amplification · inflation · overstatement
Adapting films into books
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- dramatizationConverting events to performance
- filmMovie or coating
- seriesOrdered set of related items
biopic · docudrama · remake · reboot · interpretation · script · casting · director
Imaginative mental wandering
- inventionNew device or method
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- mythmakingCrafting foundational narratives
- unrealityQuality of being imaginary
escapism · speculation · conjecture · counterfactual · what-if · reimagining · invented
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- charactersPersons in a narrative
- settingContext of events
- narratorOne who tells events
protagonist · antagonist · dialogue · backstory · arc · conflict · climax · resolution
Origin of written work
- creationMaking something exist
- writingRecorded language on surface
- craftingSkillful manual creation
- composingCreating musical works
worldbuilding · plotting · drafting · revision · manuscript · prose · storytelling
exaggeration
Overstating beyond reality
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
enhancement · embroidery · coloring · dramatization · misrepresentation · hyperbole · amplification · inflation · overstatement · fudging
novelization
Adapting films into books
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- dramatizationConverting events to performance
- filmMovie or coating
series · biopic · docudrama · remake · reboot · interpretation · script · casting · director · franchise
fantasy
Imaginative mental wandering
- inventionNew device or method
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- mythmakingCrafting foundational narratives
unreality · escapism · speculation · conjecture · counterfactual · what-if · reimagining · invented
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- charactersPersons in a narrative
- settingContext of events
narrator · protagonist · antagonist · dialogue · backstory · arc · conflict · climax · resolution · perspective
authorship
Origin of written work
composing · worldbuilding · plotting · drafting · revision · manuscript · prose · storytelling
- biopic termstrue story, life story, dramatization, adaptation, portrayal
- creative libertiesartistic license, poetic license, liberties, creative liberties, dramatization
- mythmakingfounding myths, founding myth, origin stories, origin story, mythos
fictionalizationdocumentation
Written proof or instructions
documentary · nonfiction · reportage · historical record · journalism
fictionalizationverisimilitude
Appearance of being factual
realism · naturalism · direct observation · raw footage · primary source
fictionalizationfaithful adaptation
Version preserving original's essence
authentication · verification · corroboration · preservation · archiving