From Idea to Adventure: How I Plot My Stories

Hello, dear readers! April is here, and with it comes the promise of new adventures. As a writer, there’s nothing more exciting than diving into the blank canvas of a new story., but how do I go from that initial spark of inspiration to the full-fledged adventure you read on the page? In today’s post, I’m pulling back the curtain on my creative process, showing you how I plot my stories—from that first glimmer of an idea to the intricate arcs that bring my characters to life.

Whether you’re a fellow writer looking for new ways to approach your own stories or a reader who’s curious about the journey behind the magic, I hope this gives you a glimpse into the work that goes into every adventure I craft.

The Spark of Inspiration

Every story begins with a spark. It could be a scene that comes to me in a dream, a phrase that catches my attention, or an intriguing "what if?" question that won’t leave my mind. The inspiration for my book Celeste and the Midnight Whale came when I saw an illustration of a young girl riding on the back of a giant whale, floating through the vast, dark night sky. The image captivated me and sparked a flood of ideas. What if there was a young girl with a destiny to travel deep into outer space, riding the whale, who would serve as both her mythical creature and protector, guiding her on her journey? That moment became the spark for the story, and from there, the adventure unfolded into something magical.

I love this part of the process because it’s full of possibilities. The initial spark is a wild, untamed idea, one that doesn’t have to be fully formed. I don’t worry about logic or structure at this point—everything is open to exploration.

From Spark to Concept

Once I have that initial spark of inspiration, I move into the concept phase. This is where I start asking myself some fundamental questions to get a sense of what the story will be about. What’s the core of the story? What themes do I want to explore? What does the main character need to learn or overcome?

For example, in Celeste and the Midnight Whale, the core concept revolved around a girl who followed her destiny and travelled into the depths of space, to learn her craft and defeat the encroaching darkness. The central theme became one of growth, destiny, and discovering one’s purpose, all set against a backdrop of magical realism and adventure. This concept also helped guide the tone of the story, balancing between wonder and responsibility.

The concept phase is all about framing the story. I don’t worry about details just yet—I focus on the big picture. It’s about building a solid foundation on which to layer the plot, characters, and conflicts.

Creating Characters

Once I have a concept that excites me, I begin to think about the characters who will inhabit the world. This is one of my favourite parts of the process because, as any writer knows, characters are the heart of any story.

For me, character development happens organically. I start with the main character’s basic traits—who they are, what they want, and what stands in their way, but as I write, I let the character evolve. I ask myself what motivates them, what they fear, and what makes them unique. For example, Celeste, the protagonist of Celeste and the Midnight Whale, is driven by a strong sense of duty. She’s a guardian of the stars, but she’s also young and discovering what that responsibility truly means.

In addition to the protagonist, I also develop the secondary characters. In the case of Celeste’s story, this includes Orin the midnight whale, an enigmatic creature older than time itself, who calls Celeste to her destiny and never leaves her side during her quest. These secondary characters are just as important—they may not always be in the spotlight, but they influence the protagonist’s journey and growth. They often provide contrast to the main character, helping to bring out different facets of their personality.

Plotting the Adventure

Now comes the exciting (and sometimes intimidating) part: plotting the adventure. How do I take that initial spark, the characters, and the themes and transform them into a cohesive and engaging plot? I use a combination of plotting techniques to help me get there. Here’s a breakdown of how I do it:

1. The Three-Act Structure

For me, the three-act structure serves as a helpful guideline for mapping out the story. It’s a framework that has been used by storytellers for centuries, and it provides a balanced way to structure a narrative.

• Act One introduces the protagonist, sets up the world, and presents the inciting incident that propels the character into action. In Celeste and the Midnight Whale, this is when she first meets Orin and realises that her life is about to change when he takes her on a journey to the stars and she becomes aware of the dangers that lie within.

• Act Two is where the protagonist faces escalating challenges, learns new things, and grows. This is where Celeste travels tto Stellaria, meets new allies, and discovers more about herself. The midpoint is crucial here—it’s a turning point that shifts the direction of the story.

• Act Three brings everything to a head. The protagonist confronts the final challenge, and the story reaches its climax. Celeste must defeat the encroaching void, and everything she’s learned comes together in this final showdown.

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This structure helps me keep the plot moving and ensures that there’s a natural progression from one event to the next.

2. Character Arcs

Every plot needs a character arc—a transformation that the protagonist undergoes throughout the story. This arc is central to creating a compelling narrative because it shows the character’s growth.

For Celeste, her arc involves moving from someone who is solely focused on duty and responsibility to someone who understands the importance of making choices that align with her true self. As the plot unfolds, Celeste learns that her sense of duty can coexist with her personal desires, and that she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone.

I plot these arcs carefully to ensure that the character’s growth is believable and satisfying. Sometimes, a character’s arc will influence the plot itself, as their choices lead to different outcomes or challenges.

3. Outlining Key Scenes

Once I have the overall structure and character arcs in mind, I start outlining the key scenes that will drive the story forward. These scenes act as milestones that guide the plot from beginning to end. Each scene serves a purpose—whether it’s to deepen the conflict, reveal something new about the characters, or advance the story in some way.

For example, in Celeste and the Midnight Whale, one pivotal scene occurs when Celeste realises that her grandmother, whom she left behind on Earth and never expected to see again, is also in danger from the darkness. Torn between the urge to return home to save her and the knowledge that doing so could have catastrophic consequences, Celeste is faced with a heart-wrenching decision. This moment is crucial for her character development, as it forces her to confront her deepest fears and insecurities, ultimately shaping her growth as a person.

I try to make each scene as vivid and impactful as possible, thinking through the emotions, stakes, and character dynamics in each moment. These scenes often evolve as I write, but having them mapped out initially helps me stay on track.

4. Twists and Turns

Every good adventure needs a few unexpected twists. These are the moments that keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. As I plot, I look for opportunities to introduce surprises or complications that will challenge my characters.

In Celeste and the Midnight Whale, one of the twists comes when Celeste discovers that the darkness feeds on her insecurities. This revelation shifts her perception of the entire journey and propels the story into its final act.

These twists help to deepen the mystery and raise the stakes, keeping the reader invested in the outcome.

Layering Subplots

While the main plot moves the story forward, subplots add richness and depth. Subplots often explore secondary themes or character relationships that complement the main narrative.

For instance, in Celeste and the Midnight Whale, a subplot revolves around Celeste’s relationship with her family. This subplot adds emotional depth to her character and provides a counterpoint to the grand adventure she’s embarking on. It also reinforces the theme of balancing personal responsibility with family ties.

I try to weave these subplots throughout the story, making sure they intersect with the main plot at key moments. Subplots provide the emotional texture that makes the adventure feel more real and relatable.

The Final Push: Editing and Refining

Once I have the plot down and the adventure is unfolding on the page, the final stage begins: editing. This is where everything comes together. I go through the story carefully, tightening the narrative, ensuring that each scene has purpose, and that the pacing is just right.

I focus on making sure the character arcs are complete, that the twists make sense, and that the adventure stays engaging until the very end. I also pay attention to the smaller details, like world-building and dialogue, which can make the story feel even more immersive.

Editing can be a long process, but it’s essential for ensuring that the adventure is polished and ready for readers to enjoy.

Conclusion: The Adventure Never Ends

Plotting a story is an adventure in itself. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final revisions, every step is about discovery, growth, and taking risks. It’s my hope that when you read one of my books, you can feel the passion and effort that went into crafting every twist, turn, and character moment.

I believe that every story holds the potential to take us on an unforgettable adventure, one that leaves us with new perspectives and a sense of wonder, and as a writer, there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing the journey come to life on the page.

So, what about you? How do you approach the adventure of storytelling? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your process!

Happy writing and reading, Nancy Starling