THE BASICS:

Stories usually start with an idea. This could be something simple and inconsequential. It could be a task, a journey, an event, or some type of situation. 

Stories generally have a purpose. This is what happens as a result of the idea of the story. It could be a goal to reach, a challenge to succeed, or a problem or mystery to solve. 

Stories are usually set somewhere. This is the "Real World." The real world is a place where the main character feels comfortable and knows well. The story can shift to an "Unreal World. The unreal world is somewhere the main character knows nothing about. It's a place that makes him feel uncomfortable to be there.

Other elements to consider are the mood of the story and the period the story is set. These two elements will affect the general feel of the story. Will it be happy,e sad, funny, or serious? Will it be set in the past, present, or future, and will its pace be fast, slow, average, mixed or static, etc?

A story has a point of view (tense). You could write it in the 1st person. (I-me-etc). Or the 2nd person. (you-yours, etc). Or the 3rd person. (he-him-they-John-Mary, etc). You could write as a narrator. This provides a distant view, or omniscient (all-knowing). 

The above is in no way a complete list of possible story elements but is rather a summary for you to consider. 

Most stories have (i) A Beginning (ii) A Middle (or as I like to call it) - A Muddle) and (iii) An End. 

(i) The Beginning should set the theme of the story. It should show either the Problem, Conflict or the Challenge. It could even show all. The story should have a "Hook." This is something that compels the reader to carry on reading. The Hook should appear a.s.a.p. 

(ii) The Middle (Muddle). This section shows despite all the Hero's efforts to solve his/her task things get worse. And they keep getting worse. Complications, barriers, and obstacles make it harder for him/her. Some may deceive and hinder (the plot thickens). This state escalates to a point, where the task seems impossible to solve. This is the "Crisis Point", or "Cliffhanger," as it is sometimes called. 

(iii) The End should resolve the original Problem/Conflict/Challenge. This requires something to Change. The Hero may change their thinking. They may change their approach to the Conflict/Problem/Challenge. They may discover something, or someone new. Or they may decide not to solve the Conflict or Problem. Or they may decide not to complete their Challenge, and instead, walk away, and reflect. Finally, tie up all loose ends. Or not - (if there is to be a sequel).  

Stories Should Be Believable: Otherwise, they are in danger of failing. No matter how impossible events and actions seem, they should be believable.

Characters: They should be interesting and engaging. They should feel compelled to keep on reading to find out what happens next. 

Escalation: Stories thrive on Tension and Unmet Desire. These elements should escalate as the story progresses. And keep escalating until the story reaches its Highest Point (the Crisis Point).

Change: Once the story reaches a Crisis Point, something has to "change" to solve the situation. Whether that is a conflict, problem, goal, or mystery. 

Think of your story like a "Stone": It's rolling down a steep incline bouncing and smashing into things as it goes. Its speed increases all the time until it seems it must crash and smash into a thousand pieces. But somehow, we must prevent this from happening. It must get to its destination, safe and secure. (Or not). But most people like a happy and satisfying ending.

TECHNIQUES:

Cause and Effect: (a) Something has to happen before we know (b) the effect.

Example: He (a) stumbled and (b) hurt his foot. Not the other way around. He (b) hurt his foot when (a) he stumbled. The story will flow better if you write "Cause" first and then "Effect".

An exception to this rule could be when writing Mystery stories. You may wish to conceal how the event happened.

Example: A character discovers something. This could be a death, jewels stolen, etc and we leave the reader to wonder how it happened and who caused it. 

Conflict: Stories usually include a conflict of some sort. Sometimes, stories include more than one conflict. Conflicts should be serious. Conflict types include: 

(a) Relationships: - Human versus Human

(b) Situations: - Human versus Environment or Nature

(c) Inner: - Human versus Self

(d) Paranormal: - Human versus Technology

(e) Cosmic: - Human versus Fate, Destiny, or God; Etc

(f) Social: - Human versus a Group of Humans

Story Elements: There are many elements to consider when drafting a story. A sample includes:

(1) Plot:

(a) Is the story Plot Driven?

(b) Is it Character Driven?

(c) Or is there a Mixture of Both? 

(2) Driving Force: Does the Main Character (MC),

(a) Succeed?

(b) Fail?

(c) Abandon their Goal?

(d) Or is the MC's Goal undefined?

(e) Or does the Reader create the Goal?

3. Structure: Types include, Traditional - Roller-coaster - Journey - Romance - Slice of Life - Etc.

4. Genre: Types include, Action - Adventure - Comedy - Creative Fiction - Drama - Fantasy - Mystery - Suspense - Romance - Etc.

5. Theme: Is the story about a,

(a) Mystery

(b) Quest

(c) Pursuit

(d) Rescue

(e) Discovery

(f) Revenge

(g) Rivalry

(h) Riddle

(i) Temptation

(j) Sacrifice

(k) Love

(l) Maturation

(m) Escape

(n) Adventure

(o) Underdog

6. Tone: Is the tone of the story:

(a) Happy

(b) Funny

(c) Scatterbrain

(d) Sad

(e) Strange

(f) Serious