There are five components that constitute a good story: character, conflict, setting, plot, and resolution (although some adventures, such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings end an episode with a temporary or partial resolution to an ongoing struggle, leading into the next episode).  These components keep the story flowing and allow the action to follow a logical progression. Without these main elements, a story remains underdeveloped and usually lacks clear purpose or conclusion. This article will deal with these five components, starting with character and conflict, and how to develop the three essential characters in fiction: hero, victim, and villain. Let’s focus on the hero, first, who is the main character in any story, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Character The Hero The hero, also called the protagonist, is the core of your story and he/she always has a goal or ambition—a purpose that is driving his/her actions. All characters, plots, actions and motives serve to drive the »