From Spark to Story: How to Turn an Idea Into a Plot

You’re in the shower, walking the dog, halfway through folding the laundry—and boom. A story idea shows up. Uninvited, unpolished, and full of promise. Maybe it’s a killer twist. Maybe it’s a dreamy setting. Maybe it’s just a line of dialogue you can’t get out of your head.
Whatever it is, it feels like the beginning of something big. Until you sit down to write—and realize you have no idea what the actual story is.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Having an idea isn’t the same as having a plot. But the good news? Turning that idea into a working story is a learnable skill. Here’s how to shape that spark into a structure you can build on.