The goal of developing a story is to take a tiny seed of an idea and expand it into a full-blown concept and plot that’s ready to write. Depending on your approach to pre-writing, you may be a plotter or a pantser (a term used for writers who do very little planning ahead of time). But whatever style you employ, there are certain elements that every successful narrative must contain.
The most important element is character, a well-defined group of people whose traits and motivations will guide the narrative. Developing characters requires identifying key points in your protagonist’s journey: the hook, the inciting incident, and the midpoint. These moments must show your protagonist battling an external enemy, confronting a flaw within themselves, or opening up to something new in their life.
Another vital component is theme, the statement you want your audience to walk away with. Whether you’re writing a piece about a toxic dumping site or a romantic comedy, your goal is to leave the audience with a positive feeling and an understanding of the world around them.
Finally, your story must have an appropriate structure to keep it compelling. Using tools like the Save the Cat beat sheet or a three-act structure can help you identify key points and create a timeline that will carry your protagonist from beginning to end. This is also the stage when you should start thinking about your audience, deciding who they are and what type of experience you want them to have.
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