Developing your story is the first step in turning your brilliant idea into a fully-formed narrative. It’s an essential skill for any writer to master, whether you’re an established screenwriter or a newbie trying to build a career from scratch.
Start by brainstorming ideas and listing them, then sifting through those for potential story elements. Take note of key characterization points, such as your protagonist’s goal and their motivation, the conflict that will drive them through the story arc, and the inner obstacles they will face. You should also consider your narrative theme, which may emerge naturally from the character’s journey and the climax.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of ideas, select the one that has the most story potential. This means that you’ll find (or create) a “hot spot” within the idea, which is an area of inherent conflict or emotion. This could be as simple as identifying the protagonist’s life or death stakes, or the dramatic implication of an image or conversation.
Once you’ve identified the “hot spot,” you’ll need to begin fleshing out the characters and creating an internal arc that will give them the strength to overcome their external conflict. This is where all the “yes, but” moments and “no, but” struggles come to a head and drive your protagonist to their defining moment at the story’s peak. You should also explore your antagonist’s motivations and worldview to intensify their conflict with the protagonist.