How To Expand an Idea Into a Story

Hello everyone! Today, we're diving into the process of expanding a simple idea into a full-length story. I'm Brandon McNulty, author of *Bad Parts* and *Entry Wounds*, and welcome to my writing channel! One of the most common questions I get from my subscribers is how to turn a simple idea into a novel, screenplay, or TV series. In this video, I'll share six tips that will help you transform a small idea into a much larger narrative.

First, let's address an important question: how do you know if a story idea is good? The answer is simple—if the idea excites you and motivates you to write, then it's a good one. This excitement can stem from various elements: an intriguing character, an unusual situation, a mysterious setting, or even a significant conflict. It might also be as straightforward as a single image, like a green sky, yellow wallpaper, or a shattered TV screen. The key takeaway is that even the most basic ideas can be developed into something elaborate and engaging.

Now, let's delve into the six tips I have for you today. The first tip is to combine ideas. Often, a unique story concept emerges when you take one inspiring idea and mix it with another, seemingly unrelated one. The classic example is the movie *Titanic*, pitched as "Romeo and Juliet aboard the Titanic." This pitch successfully merges the elements of forbidden romance with the backdrop of a tragic historical disaster, creating a compelling, large-scale story.

The second tip is to connect your initial idea to other essential story elements, such as character, plot, theme, and world-building. For instance, in *Jurassic Park*, the core concept of an amusement park full of dinosaurs was expanded by introducing characters like an ambitious businessman, park employees, and invited visitors, which provided depth and conflict, driving the plot forward.

Tip three is about creating goals and conflict. Your story idea should naturally lead to situations where characters have clear desires—be it success, money, or love—and encounter obstacles that prevent them from achieving these goals. For example, if your character aims to solve a mystery, ensure there are missing pieces of evidence or misleading clues that create hurdles. These conflicts and challenges are what make the narrative engaging and keep readers invested.

The fourth tip is to include meaningful subplots. While not every story needs a subplot, especially shorter ones, longer narratives like novels or TV series benefit from them. Subplots should complement the main theme of the story. In the movie *Rocky*, the central theme revolves around earning self-respect. The romantic subplot between Rocky and Adrian not only provides additional depth to the story but also reinforces the main theme, showing how the characters grow and support each other.

Tip five emphasizes the importance of active and passive research. Active research involves consciously seeking information related to your story, such as reading books, watching documentaries, or interviewing experts. Passive research, on the other hand, involves drawing inspiration from everyday experiences, observations, or even conversations overheard in passing. Both forms of research can enrich your story, adding authenticity and detail.

The final tip, tip six, is about knowing when to set an idea aside. If you're struggling to develop a story, it's okay to shelve it and return to it later. Often, taking a break allows your subconscious to work on the idea, and new insights may emerge over time. This happened with my book *Entry Wounds*. Initially, the concept was underdeveloped, but after some time and reflection, I revisited it with a fresh perspective, inspired by the TV series *Dexter*. This approach can breathe new life into an idea you might have thought was going nowhere.

I hope these tips help you expand your story ideas into full-fledged narratives. What's the longest story you've written, either in terms of pages or word count? Share your experiences in the comments below. If you enjoyed this video and want to support the channel, consider picking up a copy of my books *Bad Parts* or *Entry Wounds*. And as always, remember to keep on writing!