Developing story is the process of turning a tiny spark of an idea into a fully-fledged narrative with fleshed out characters, immersive settings and powerful themes. Developing story is a key skill for anyone who wants to be successful in journalism or in any creative endeavor. This includes not only writers, but also producers and executives, who must be able to brainstorm set pieces, character motivations, and distill notes into cogent loglines and pitches.
The first step in developing your story is to identify a hot spot, or the point of potential conflict or emotion. This could be an image, a conversation, or an experience that you have had, or even a question that you’ve come up with. Ideally, this is the seed of your story and will help you define its theme and direction.
Next, develop your setting. This will help set the scene and provide an opportunity for you to explore how your characters interact with each other in this unique environment. For example, an Arctic research station could present a great setting for your story, allowing you to explore the isolation, extreme conditions and psychological challenges that scientists face while on assignment.
Characters are your story’s most important elements and must be developed deeply for readers to empathize with them. Explore character motivations and archetypes to create compelling protagonists that drive your narrative forward. Use popular storytelling frameworks like Joseph Campbell’s monomyth or Blake Snyder’s beats to structure your plot and ensure your story stays on track.