First, identify the key elements in the first line. Let's say the first line is 'The old man found a mysterious box in his attic'. The key elements are 'the old man', 'the attic' and 'the mysterious box'. You can then think about the backstory. Why was the box there? Who put it there? And for the old man, what does he do for a living? Is he a curious person? Then start creating a plot around these elements. Maybe the box contains a family secret that changes his life.
One way is to start by asking 'what if' questions based on the first line. For example, if the first line is 'She saw a strange figure in the alley at midnight'. You could ask 'What if the figure was from another dimension?' Then build on that. Develop the character's thoughts and feelings about this strange sighting. What would a normal person do in such a situation? Maybe she would be scared and call the police, or be curious and approach it. This helps expand the story.
Look at the setting in your starter idea. Say the idea is a haunted forest. Expand on it by thinking about what makes it haunted. Is it an ancient curse? Are there spooky creatures? Then, introduce a conflict related to the setting. A group of hikers could get lost in this forest and have to face these threats while trying to find their way out. Their struggle against the elements of the haunted forest can form the basis of your plot.
A great first line grabs the reader's attention immediately. For instance, 'The day the world ended, I was eating an ice - cream.' It creates mystery and makes the reader want to know more. It sets an unexpected tone.
First, make a mind map. Put the single word in the middle. Let's say the word is 'mystery'. Around it, write down things like 'detective', 'clue', 'suspect'. These can be elements in your novel. Also, consider the setting. A mystery could be set in an old mansion or a foggy city street. Then, think about the plot twists. What unexpected thing could happen? Maybe the least suspected character is the real culprit.
One way is to expand on the initial situation or character introduced in the first line. For example, if the first line is 'She woke up in a strange room.', you could start describing the room in detail, like the cold stone walls, the single small window with bars, and the musty smell. Then, introduce her thoughts and feelings, such as confusion and fear. This can lead to the development of the plot as she tries to figure out how she got there and how to get out.
To develop sad ideas for a story, look at social issues. The story of a homeless person, for instance, can be extremely sad. Their daily struggle for survival, the loneliness, and the lack of basic necessities can be heart - wrenching. Another source could be stories of war. The separation of families, the destruction of homes, and the loss of lives are all very sad elements. You can also think about the end of friendships. A once - strong bond that is broken by betrayal or simply growing apart can be a sad idea for a story.
The plot development in Monster Hunter Stories is a combination of character growth and environmental discovery. The main character grows in skills and knowledge, which allows them to take on more complex quests. At the same time, exploring different environments reveals hidden aspects of the story, like ancient ruins that hold secrets about the monsters and their origin.
Base your characters on people you know. Take the best and worst traits of different people and combine them into one character. For example, your friend's sense of humor and your neighbor's stubbornness could create an interesting protagonist.
Look at their daily experiences. A story could be about a kid's first day at a new school. All the nervousness, making new friends, and getting lost in the big school building. Add some magic to it, like a friendly ghost that shows the kid around.
Mix different horror elements. For instance, combine a supernatural entity like a demon with a scientific experiment gone wrong. The demon could be unleashed during a top - secret experiment in a laboratory. The scientists are now at the mercy of the demon as it starts to possess them one by one, causing chaos and death in the lab.