Developing story is the process of taking an idea and expanding it into a full-fledged narrative with characters, conflict, and setting. It’s a crucial skill for writers, directors, producers, and even executives to have. It’s the ability to brainstorm set pieces, hone an outline or screenplay, and distill notes into cogent pitches.
Creating complex characters is one of the best ways to keep readers engaged in your work. Readers want to connect with characters that have goals and flaws. Those are the people they can identify with and relate to, which is why a strong character arc is essential to a story’s success.
To develop a character, start by identifying the potential “hot spots” in that person’s world. This could be something as simple as a conversation that you hear or an image that sticks out in your mind. Find the points in which your character’s choices could lead to either an external threat or their own self-doubts and fears.
Next, contrast your protagonist with a secondary character that opposes their morals, beliefs, or motivations. This helps enliven your protagonist’s growth and creates the escalation of the conflict in your story. It’s also a good way to show your audience how deep and believable your character is. A strong protagonist is a must, but it’s also important to build supporting characters as well. However, avoid over-characterizing minor characters. It can be easy to make them too broad, which takes away from the depth of your plot and may cause confusion for readers.