Fiction. Novels are mostly works of fiction. They are stories that are made up, so 'fiction' can be considered another word for a novel. It emphasizes the fictional nature of the narrative.
Narrative. A novel is a long narrative work. It tells a story, and 'narrative' emphasizes the storytelling aspect, so it can be another word for novel.
A third word that can be used instead of fiction is 'fable'. However, a fable often has a moral lesson within it, which is not always the case for all types of fiction. But in a general sense, it can be considered as another word for fiction. Fables are fictional tales that usually involve animals or inanimate objects as characters, and they are passed down through generations to teach people certain values or life lessons.
Tale. A tale is a kind of long - detailed story. It usually has some kind of plot or sequence of events. For instance, fairy tales are often long - detailed stories that are passed down through generations. They can be very elaborate and full of details.
Recounting. This means to tell someone about something that has happened. For instance, when a witness recounts the details of a crime in court, they are actually telling a story of what they saw and experienced.