Story Elements

From stakes to themes, motifs, and more, story elements are the ingredients that comprise great novels. Learning how to master the use of these elements is therefore key to crafting sensational stories.

In addition to the classics story elements present in most novels, the archive below includes articles that provide insight into world-building elements unique to speculative fiction novels, such as fantasy and sci-fi stories.

Elements of Fiction

• How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story

• How to Weave Threads of Tension Through Your Story

• How to Develop Your Story’s Themes

• How to Create Strong Pacing For Your Novel

• 19 Ways to Write Better Dialogue

• How to Choose Your Novel’s Point-Of-View and Tense

• How to Utilize Motifs in Your Story

• How to Title Your Novel

• The Four Main Types of External Conflict

• How to Craft Riveting Internal Conflict for Your Story

• Should You Include a Prologue in Your Story?

• Should You Include an Epigraph in Your Novel?

• Five Ways to Frame Your Story

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Crafting Subplots
  

World-Building Elements

• An Introduction to World-Building

• An Easy Guide to Crafting Fictional Cultures

• My Top Tips for Utilizing Fictional Language in Your Stories

• How to Create a Magic System in Six Simple Steps

• Combatting Common World-Building Pitfalls