Story development is the process of taking an idea and expanding it into a full-fledged narrative with compelling characters, immersive settings, powerful themes, and a gripping plot. It’s a generative and iterative process that often takes months if not years to arrive at a pitchable concept. Developing a story requires both inspiration and perspiration, but there are a variety of techniques that can be used to help you take that first seed of an idea and nurture it into something ready for writing.
Start by identifying the core idea that you want to explore in your story. This could be a moral, philosophical, or societal theme that you want to convey. You may discover the story’s theme through your research or by brainstorming ideas around it. Once you have the theme, decide what kind of character arc will best exemplify that theme.
Choose a main character and create a profile for them, including their goal in the story and any significant flaws or strengths that will drive their behavior. Also, consider their place within the story world and any underlying rules that will govern how they interact with each other.
Identify the rising action, midpoint, and crisis that will propel your protagonist toward the climax of the story. Include subplots to add depth and increase conflict. Then, develop the climax and its aftermath by tying up loose ends, resolving supporting characters, and establishing the long-term impact of your protagonist’s journey.