THE BASICS
This seems obvious but you need to know if what you are writing is fiction or non-fiction.
So, what is the difference?
Fiction
Fiction is a story that is made up - something that is not true. It’s a product of your imagination.
In fiction, places, setting, and events can still be real.
Characters are completely fictitious.
For example: The movie Dunkirk – The places and settings were real (it was set on the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk). The events were real (boats did come to the rescue of Allied soldiers). But the characters were fictitious. Yes, Kenneth Branagh’s Commander Bolton was fake. Although, he is assumed to be inspired by the real Captain William Tennent).