Developing story is the process of turning a simple idea into an entire narrative, complete with characters and plot. Whether you’re writing on spec or for a studio project, this is an essential step that can make the difference between a script that flops and one that resonates with your audience.
The simplest way to keep your readers interested is by ensuring your story has the four basic elements of plot: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, and climax. Exposition gives the reader the background info they need to jump into your world. The inciting incident sets your protagonist on a path of conflict and introduces them to their biggest challenges. Rising action builds up tension with a series of increasingly difficult challenges that make your protagonist work harder and build their skills. Finally, the climax brings all that setup to a head in a heart-pounding moment of high drama.
After the climax, you need to give your readers a chance to absorb it and reflect on what just happened. This can include showing your hero’s immediate reaction (like shock, relief, or devastation) or exploring their internal feelings of guilt, sadness, or regret.
Developing story is also an important element for journalism, especially when covering ongoing events like natural disasters or political scandals where new information may surface at any time. This kind of developing story is often called a “breaking news” story and requires journalists to balance speed with accuracy, while also considering how the new developments will affect their audience.