What does belong into a great story?

What does a great story need? Is it a huge, unique premise? Is it a character, who is loveable and easy-to-understand in his action? Is it a great villain, you’ll love to hate? The answer is “Yes!” and “No!” at the same time. Of course, there are pieces in the story puzzle, which everyone should have. But there aren’t always useful. You don’t know about which I talk. Here they are:

No. 1 Characters
This is the who in your story. It doesn’t always have to be a hero… or even a human. The important stuff is that he/she/it is relatable, loveable and most of the story in action. The character needs a GOAL! And a MOTIVATION! What would be Cinderella without her wish of going to the ball? Right. Just an average hand-maiden. Your character shouldn’t be a Mary Sue (a girl/boy, who can do everything). The reader doesn’t like characters, who don’t have flaws or who don’t fail. Remember that.

No. 2 A situation
The most heroes in the literature would be just normal people if they wouldn’t have, they adventure. Just think of Dracula. Van Helsing wouldn’t be the well-known vampire hunter if he didn’t visit Count Dracula. The situation is your characters adventure.

**No. 3 Conflict (aka. Objection) **
Who does stop your character from reaching his goal at the first time? Yes, the conflict. The conflict is the bunch of stones, which lay in your characters way. What would be the guy from Around the world in 80 days without his challenge of travelling around the world in 80 days to win 20,000 pounds. – Just a gentleman, who loves time and hanging out with other rich guys.

No. 4 Opponent
Who or what is the villain of your story? Who is your characters enemy? It can be anything. It just let getting your character into trouble. Let’s take Cinderella as example again. The evil step-mother is the villain here. She doesn’t want to give Cinderella a normal life and uses her as a cheap servant. This is also important: A MOTIVATION. In Around the world in 80 days the villain believes that the hero has rob the bank of London. So, he follows him around the world.

No. 5 The disaster
Damn, damn, damn! In Cinderella this is the point where she loses her glassy shoe and the prince want to find her. It’s the disaster because the step-mother wants (in the original fairy tale) to trick the prince by cutting the step-sister’s heels. She also imprisons Cinderella at home. So, she can’t escape and shows her identity. You see. The disaster is the point of the biggest failure. So, you can create tension as an author.

But what do you believe belongs also in a story? Let me know it in the comments.