Developing story is the process of taking an idea and expanding it into a fully-fledged plot with characters that are well-defined and engaging. It’s a process that some writers struggle with, while others find it fairly easy. The secret to success is in the approach, and learning how to tap into your innate creativity and let ideas flow in an organic way that is responsive to your surroundings.
Creating a full story is an iterative process, and this can be frustrating for new writers who are trying to get it all right from the start. It’s also important to keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer – it simply comes down to the individual writer and how they best work.
To develop a story, it is helpful to begin with a premise and a denoument (or climax), and then to plan out the path between those points. This is called a story arc and is usually broken into scenes. This is where character development begins, so it’s important to think about what key characterization elements will help to build your story.
For example, if your story centers on anger, then it’s important to think about how each character might respond to this situation. Some people may rage while others might become chillingly polite, and it’s your job as a writer to make those differences feel realistic to your audience. Getting this aspect of your story right is an important element in developing the tension that will keep readers turning pages.
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