Story Discovery Worksheet
Discover what kind of story you want to tell - from vague concept to compelling narrative
Core Questions
The fundamental heart of your story
Examples:
- Should a person live selfishly, isolated from others, or should they share what they have and contribute to their community? (A Christmas Carol)
- What matters more: money, fame, possessions, or relationships with others? (The Little Prince)
- Should humanity pursue scientific advancement without considering the consequences? (Frankenstein)
Example: "Technology will save humanity from its problems"
Example: "Technology without wisdom leads to destruction"
Example: "Technology is a tool—its value depends on how humanity chooses to use it"
Example: Survival and the cost of staying human in inhumane circumstances
Example from The Hunger Games:
- Media manipulation and propaganda
- Class inequality and oppression
- The corrupting influence of power
- The performance of identity vs. authentic self
Character Development
Your protagonist and antagonist
Example: Katniss Everdeen serves the theme of survival and humanity by being someone forced to perform for the cameras while trying to maintain her authentic self and protect those she loves. Her reluctance to be a symbol makes her perfect for exploring how people become heroes.
Remember: Higher stakes = more tension = more epic storytelling
Example: Captain Hook in Peter Pan represents the adult world and the passage of time that Peter refuses to accept.
Genre and Structure
The framework of your story
How does your chosen genre serve the moral of your story?
Examples:
- Harry Potter is mystery within fantasy—the mystery structure allows readers to discover the magical world alongside Harry
- Discworld is satire within fantasy—fantasy tropes are used to comment on real-world issues
- The Hobbit is adventure within fantasy—the journey structure shows personal growth
How does it serve your moral/theme? If fantasy/sci-fi, what specific subgenre?
Examples:
- Fantasy with supernatural elements? Urban fantasy where magic is hidden in modern cities
- Hard sci-fi focusing on realistic space travel consequences
- Dystopian: Post-apocalyptic setting exploring what society rebuilds
Audience and Tone
Who are you writing for and how will it feel?
Examples:
- Young Adult (13-18): Coming-of-age stories, first experiences, identity formation
- New Adult (18-25): Navigating independence, complex relationships, adult responsibilities
- Adult readers who love urban fantasy: Supernatural in contemporary settings, strong protagonists
What makes your story worth their time?
Example: "It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Devil Wears Prada—a young witch navigating a toxic magical corporate workplace while battling literal demons and metaphorical ones."
How does the tone serve the moral/theme?
Examples:
- Discworld uses comedy and satire—humor makes social critique more palatable
- The Road uses dark tragedy—the bleak tone reinforces finding humanity in hopeless circumstances
- Bridget Jones's Diary uses romantic comedy—light tone makes themes about self-acceptance accessible
Worldbuilding & Your Pitch
Bringing your world to life
Example - If vampires existed:
- How would blood banks work? Synthetic blood?
- Legal system—are they citizens?
- How would religion adapt? Medical science?
- Vampire-specific businesses, neighborhoods, dating apps?
- Do immortal beings hoard wealth?
Examples:
- "A reluctant teen becomes a symbol of rebellion when she volunteers to take her sister's place in a televised fight to the death." (The Hunger Games)
- "An orphaned boy discovers he's a wizard and must stop the dark sorcerer who killed his parents from returning to power." (Harry Potter)
- "A lonely robot who cleans a deserted Earth falls in love and embarks on a journey that will decide the fate of humanity." (WALL-E)
Your Story Discovery
Review your story concept and download or share