on Writers on the Move:
While every story starts with a good idea, that’s not enough to make a good story.
Your idea, while possibly the cornerstone of the creation, is only part of the foundation. There are other elements needed to make a fully developed story.
To give you an example of this, a protagonist wants to take guitar lessons. He does and becomes a good guitar player. Your message is to show children they can do the same.
Why would someone want to read about a character taking lessons to learn to learn to play the guitar or any other instrument?
But suppose something stops the protagonist or gets in the way of the him learning to play.
This gives the story idea substance. It gives it conflict.
Below are the basic elements that create a story foundation.