This post might read a bit repetitive if you’ve read the one on questions for guidance, and maybe it’s because I’ve written the posts somewhat close to each other that there’s a bit of overlap. But the aim differs.
In this case, I’ll be looking at the elements of a story. Some sources point to four, others to five, some to seven, and a few to more, so I’ve opted for the six that recur the most.
In no particular order, I’ll start with the plot. What happens? Are there tropes involved or is it as original and unique as can be? What’s the genre? While genre and plot are obviously not the same thing, they affect each other (a romantic comedy isn’t the same as a romantic thriller).
Then there are the characters. Who is the story about? Who is (or are) the main character(s)? Are there secondary character? And there are more things to decide, too: the characters’ names, pasts, looks, jobs (if relevant), their agency, and more. When you have a villain or antagonist, what drives them?
The conflict relates to the plot most of all (although all story elements are intertwined, as you can imagine). While the plot can be seen as the overarching succession of events, the conflict would be the main obstacle or problem that the main character needs to overcome. There can be more than one conflict, of course, especially if there are a few main characters who are each dealing with separate issues.
The setting is another element. When and where does the story take place? How does the context shape and affect the characters, the conflict, and the resolution? And it’s not just about geographical location and the date—you can also consider what place the characters occupy in society, for example.
Themes are the main idea or message that a story wants to convey, and they can be overarching or limited to subplots. For The Hunger Games, for example, you’ve got economic inequality and suffering as entertainment when it comes to overarching ones, whereas when we look at the characters, there’s identity and love. (In a nutshell, there’s plenty more that can be said about The Hunger Games).
And last but not least, there’s the point of view. Who’s the narrator? Is it a reliable one, or are they trying to deceive the reader? How much is shared about the characters? How much insight are readers given?
So, these are (some of) the elements of a story. Can you recognize them in your favorite stories? Do you think about all of them when you’re writing or do you just draft away without looking into specifics?
