Once you have an idea for a story, the next step is developing it into a complete outline or screenplay that can be pitched to a producer or agent. The process of taking a spark of inspiration and expanding it into a fully developed story with fleshed out characters is the journey that every writer goes on. Some writers, known as plotters, spend months or even years outlining their stories in detail before they begin writing, while others, known as pansters, may complete very little pre-writing work and discover their stories as they write them. Still other writers fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
Character development is one of the most challenging aspects of story-building. Developing your main character requires you to identify their deepest fear, core motivation, and values as well as their flaws and strengths. This information forms the foundation for their journey throughout your story.
The arc of your story often revolves around your character’s pursuit of their Want and the discovery or rejection of their Need. For your protagonist to progress through the arc, they must be willing to sacrifice their Need at some point.
When it comes to establishing your character’s world, consider the setting of your story and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. This includes the time period, geographical location, and any fantastical elements that are necessary for your premise to make sense. Developing this world will also help you establish the rules that your characters must follow in order to function within it.