Developing story is the process of taking an initial spark—an idea, character, or moment of inspiration—and cultivating it into a fully-realized pitchable concept. It’s an essential skill for all writers and can be applied to any kind of narrative—whether you’re writing a screenplay, creating a TV episode, or outlining an original story. This article will walk you through the key steps to developing your story from seed to draft.
Begin by identifying (or creating) a hot spot within your initial idea, where there is the potential for conflict or emotion. This could be the inherent tension in a conversation, the intrigue of an image, or the danger of a situation. Then, find out what the consequences of this conflict or emotion will be for your protagonist. This is what will propel them forward and create a compelling story arc.
Next, develop the protagonist’s central conflict by creating obstacles and challenges. This can be physical, like a life or death threat, or emotional, such as a hero’s quest for redemption.
Finally, build the tension by presenting a major setback or crisis that will escalate the central conflict. This will drive the story toward its climax, where the protagonist will confront their central challenge. This is where the story will reach its pinnacle of tension and conflict and will ultimately determine the fate of the protagonist and their comrades. It’s at this point where you can also introduce a core theme—an underlying moral, philosophical, or societal idea that will resonate with your audience.