Here are some words that *do* help describe those elements:
For Mental Pictures:
* Imagery: The use of sensory details to create vivid mental pictures.
* Description: Detailed accounts of characters, settings, and objects.
* Figurative language: Metaphors, similes, personification, etc. to create powerful comparisons and imagery.
For Action:
* Plot: The sequence of events that make up the story.
* Conflict: The struggle or tension that drives the plot forward.
* Dialogue: The words spoken by characters, which can reveal their personalities, motives, and relationships.
* Pacing: The speed at which the story unfolds.
For Setting:
* Atmosphere: The mood or feeling created by the setting.
* Locale: The physical location of the story.
* Time period: The historical era in which the story takes place.
For Characters:
* Motivation: The reasons why characters behave as they do.
* Personality: The unique traits and qualities of a character.
* Relationships: The connections between characters.
Let me know if you'd like to delve deeper into any of these aspects!