No two books are the same, but they all are similar. Many books share the same type of plot, common themes, and character types. Why? Because every fiction puzzle shares the same pieces. They’re just rearranged differently. So, let’s take a closer look at the elements of fiction.
What Does “Elements Of Fiction” Mean?
In a nutshell, the elements of fiction are the pieces of a story. Together, they make a fictional story a solid tale. Every novel shares these elements. However, they’re woven together differently and interpreted differently.
What are the elements of fiction, exactly? They are the following:
- Plot
- Character
- Point of View
- Setting
- Style
- Theme
The Six Elements Of Fiction
Now that we know the bare bones of the elements, let’s talk more in-depth about them. Not every writer outlines their story, but during the prewriting stage of the creative writing process is a good time to figure out these basic elements of your story.
Plot
I cannot stress this enough: every writer writes differently. Some plan their work and others don’t. Some writers come up with their plots first and others decide on the characters or settings first. Of course, there’s no true order of the elements of fiction. You can decide upon what’s best for your novel as you go along. Personally, I typically think of the plot first.
In my opinion, the plot is the meat of the story. Without a plot, there would be no action. There would be no consequences. There would be nothing to resolve. Therefore, there wouldn’t be a story to tell.
My brain typically thinks of a plotting a novel first. I can’t come up with a cast of characters and then try to figure out the best situation to put them in. I think of the situation first and then create characters who would be best to go on the journey.
The plot itself has a few elements to it. For example, the plot contains a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning needs a hook, the middle needs conflict, and the end needs a solid resolution. A major element of the plot is cause and effect. What happens and how do you characters react? How does the world react? Thus, their reaction becomes the next cause and it spirals.
In addition, plots need to have conflict, which brings tension. If there are no stakes, then what’s the point of telling the story? Why is it important that your readers read it? What do you want your readers to gain from your novel? Overall, the plot should explain the purpose of the story.
Character
Once I have a basic plot idea, I then think of my characters. Of course, I believe characters and plot go hand-in-hand so neither one is complete without the other. The characters will help write the story, thus developing the plot further. However, it’s good to know your protagonist before diving into the main writing.
There are many types of characters you’ll need for your story. For example, you’ll need the following:
- Protagonist (main character)
- Secondary characters (the sidekick, best friend, love interest, rival, etc.)
- Minor characters
- Antagonist
- Villain
Do you need every single one of these characters? No, not necessarily. However, you’ll want a wide range of characters who help and hinder the protagonist’s goals and motives.
Also, keep in mind that all writing characters within a story should have a purpose. They too should have their own motivations or goals.
In addition, there are varying character types. For instance, there are flat characters, round characters, dynamic, confidant, foil, and more.
Point Of View
I always like to decide the point of view after I figure out the main character and a few side characters. However, you might think the protagonist is the best point of view character but it turns out the sidekick is the best option.
I know from personal experience. My mystery novel used to be from my male lead’s point of view. After a comment from someone in my writer’s group, it was an unanimous agreement from everyone else that the point of view character should be my female lead. I changed it, rewrote the story, and it made a huge difference.
So, if you change your mind about the point of view mid-draft or during your first or second round of edits, don’t worry about it. Changes like that are bound to happen.
You’ll also need to decide which type of point of view to go with. You can choose from the following:
- First person
- Second person
- Third person limited
- Third person omniscient
First person uses the pronoun “I” and is told through the perspective of one particular character. We can see what they see and hear what they think. If they are not in a scene, then we don’t know about it. We’re following them on their shoulders the entire time.
Second person point of view uses the pronoun “you.” It’s similar to the first person, except “you,” the reader, is the main character.
Third person has two types, though they both use the pronouns, “he,” “she,” and “they.”
Third person limited means we follow one particular character closely as we can hear their thoughts. However, it’s not as close to first person. The narrator of the story is someone outside the story that can read the mind of one of the characters. Finally, third person omniscient is when the narrator knows everything. As the reader, we get the perspective of all the characters in the story.
One final note about point of view is that you don’t need to stick to one. Some books are told within multiple points of view. Typically, each chapter is a new point of view from a different character.
Setting
Once you have your plot and characters mostly nailed down, you need to figure out where they are and where they’re going. For instance, you should figure out the time period and location of the characters.
Unless you’re writing a locked room story, your characters are most likely going to travel to other places throughout the novel. When planning your novel setting, write down everywhere your characters go.
These places include:
- Time period (date, time, season, year, etc.)
- Geographical location
- Physical environment (climate, weather, etc.)
- Physical location (immediate surroundings)
For example, are your characters traveling from one place to another? Do they have to cross oceans? Walk through forests? Are they from a time before cell phones? Or is it set in the future where cell phones no longer exist and something better took its place?
Knowing the setting will also aid your plot. For instance, if your characters are traveling by boat, what’s going to happen when they cross an environment that’s known for harsh rain? What will happen if the boat gets caught in a bad storm?
The setting can make or break your characters. It can help or hinder them as they make their way through the plot. Setting can also paint a bigger and better picture for your readers.
Theme
The theme is something common your readers and characters will share by the end of the story. What emotions do you want your readers to feel by the end of the story? What knowledge do you want them to gain? What discussions do you want them to have with others after reading your story? What do your characters know now that they didn’t at the beginning of the story?
Every novel has a theme, or an underlying message. For example, it may be about the effects of war, climate change, self-care, or anything in between.
Style
Style is more so something you need to practice when writing. It’s not something you can figure out beforehand. Of course, you can have basic ideas of how you want to write, but your style will come to you the more you write.
Basically, the style of the story is the way you write. It’s your writer’s voice. Do you write dialog-heavy pieces? Or do you prefer to weave descriptions everywhere? Do you prefer chapters that are short and sweet? Or maybe you write in parts or in scenes.
What makes your books the most unique from other writers’ is your style.
The Elements Are The Same, But Your Novel Is Unique
Every fictional story contains the same pieces, although they are altered. Every writer is unique in the way they imagine their story and in the way they tell it. However, these elements are what make a story great.
Learn More
- Podcast Episode: What Types Of Characters Should You Include In Your Novels?
- Podcast Episode: How Do You Write A Story With Multiple Main Characters?
- Podcast Episode: How Important Is Character Motivation?
Rachel Poli is an indie author, podcaster, and content writer working on her debut cozy mystery novel.
Although she favors mystery, Rachel is a multi-genre author with too many ideas and characters in her head, often experimenting with short stories and flash fiction.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, organizing something, or playing video games. She currently resides in New England with her zoo.
