Developing story is the process of expanding an idea into a full plot that will carry your protagonist through the narrative. It involves identifying the major milestones and turning points that will drive your story forward and ordering them into an information flow that will entice readers to keep reading. Some writers, known as planners, like to outline their stories in advance; others, preferring to discover their plots as they write, are more likely to be described as pantsers. Most fall somewhere in between.
The first step in developing a story is identifying your protagonist’s goal(s) and their motivation. Characters live at the heart of every story, and it is the trials and tribulation they experience that keeps readers turning the pages. It is important to develop your characters in earnest, exploring their backstory, their relationships with other characters, and the key characterization elements that will drive conflict and propel your plot forward.
It is also important to identify your antagonist(s). In order to create a compelling conflict, it is essential to understand what drives them. Explore their background, their relationship with the protagonist, and the nature of their opposition. You may also wish to define the world in which your story takes place at this stage – establishing the location, the culture, the religions and any other significant facets of your fictional universe. This will provide a rich backdrop for your scenes and a context for your protagonist’s struggle.