There are three main elements of fiction. The first is the plot, considered to be one of the most important elements since it is the storyline. Comprised of a beginning, middle, and end, it contains the rise and fall of action, along with an aftermath. The second element is characterization, made up of any individual or entity that has been created. Finally, works of fiction include the setting, or the time and place where the story occurs. Often times the setting itself can become a character and can set the tone of the piece.
There are several types of characters within a work of fiction including: the main character, from whose point of view the audience will see things; the protagonist, the person who drives the story and accomplishes its main goals; the antagonist, who is opposed to the protagonist; supporting characters, people who play a relatively small part in the story and a minor character, someone who makes a cameo appearance.
Just as a producer in Hollywood puts their mark on a television series or film, so does an author of fiction. A really talented author has a style that shines through each piece of work they create and is so distinct that you can identify them as the author right away. Their style is the voice in the story. How the story is written is where style comes in. The author uses a variety of writing tools to convey the message. She can manipulate dialogue, sentence structure, phrases and use other writing techniques to set the mood.
In today's information age, you are surrounded by non-fiction mediums. The television blares the news, the newspaper beckons all to come read it and the Internet is an endless source of information, both entertaining and news-related. But the world is filled with fiction, too, in many forms. Pick up a thick novel and dive into a secret romance or watch a weekly television series that puts you in the middle of a crime-scene. Or how about a movie whose story is topping the charts at the box office? Maybe you are into theater and enjoy taking in a play here and there. All these sources of entertainment, along with short stories, fables, comic books and now even video games, are based on fiction and are a form of fiction writing.
While a formal education is always beneficial toward any career goals, it's not completely necessary when training to be a fiction author. Read everything you can. While newspapers and non-fiction how-to books are a help, reading the genre you enjoy most is what you should read on a regular basis. Take notice of sentence structure, how the plot is set and how the author unfolds the story in his own personal style. Once a writer has studied others quite a bit, you can develop your own style.
Practicing is a must as well. Write and rewrite a piece of work, then join a face-to-face or online critique group to provide constructive criticism. A second set of eyes may pick up errors or inconsistencies that you may not have noticed. Avoid having family or friends because they may not provide honest feedback to avoid hurt feelings or their honesty may create friction in the relationship.
Should you decide you'd like a more formal education, consider a Bachelor of Arts degree in English or Communications, along with a Master's of Arts degree in Writing. Each college or university offers a path to fiction writing in different ways so be sure to check with the school's counselors before registering.