Elements of Fiction

[freeztar]

When writing/reading fiction, what are some key elements?

 

I ask because I'm somewhat inclined to start writing a short fiction story (which I've never done before).

 

I have lots of true stories to build on and any great fiction borrows from truth. What other stylistic, thematic, and architectural guidelines should I focus on?

 

I look forward to moving to specifics of the story itself once the discussion on general attributes of fiction has been extinguished.

[Moontanman]

I like a surprise ending in my stories, I like to make the reader think I'm taking him one way and then revel another destination at the end, but that is just me.