Developing story is all about taking that tiny seed of an idea and nurturing it into a captivating narrative, one with compelling characters, immersive settings, powerful themes, and a riveting plot. It’s an essential skill for any writer, and one that can be applied to all aspects of the writing process — whether you’re writing scripts or pitches.
The first step is identifying your story’s key concept, or its central theme. This can be anything from a character’s transformation to the world they live in. From there, you’ll need to develop the plot and characters around them.
Next, you’ll need to build out the world your story takes place in, whether it’s realistic or fantastical. This is also a great opportunity to explore your setting’s limitations and how they both help and hinder your protagonist’s journey.
Finally, you’ll need to craft your story’s internal and external conflicts. This is where all the ‘yes, but’ and ‘no, and’ moments you built up throughout your rising action come to a head, as your hero faces their ultimate challenge.
As you continue to refine and elevate your storytelling, developing a captivating story will become second nature to you. But it’s important to remember that no two stories are alike, and every writer has their own approach to the craft. So, be sure to experiment with different approaches and try out various beat sheets (like the three-act structure or Save the Cat) to find what works best for you.
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