Developing story is the process of taking that initial idea for your story and fleshing it out to make a pitchable script. It can be a long, winding journey from inspiration to concrete. But it’s also a crucial part of making your vision a reality.
A good starting place for your story is to consider the key characterization traits of your main character(s). Their goals, motivations, and struggles help define the plot goal and create conflict that keeps readers turning the page. As you tease out their characterization, your theme will begin to emerge.
It’s also important to consider the setting of your story. This could be a specific geographical location, historical context, or even an imaginary world you have created. The rules that govern this setting, whether they be magical or technological, can impact the story and provide a sense of realism.
Lastly, you can begin to think about how the characters are going to change over the course of the story. This is how the plot goals and arcs will come to life and how they will connect to the overall theme of your story. Change and consequence are the cornerstones of a well-developed story, and they will provide proof that your theme is a central focus of your plot.