Chekov's List

 I love writing, but I am really bad at creating anything more than vignettes. I create concepts I like, but you can't write a story with just good ideas. My weakness is that I can't think up interesting story arcs from scratch. Luckily, I watched Craig Perko's recent video on Planning RPG Stories with Arcs, and I see a way forward.

The basic idea of the video is, instead of thinking of ideas to add to your story, add story arcs. This may seem like a big ask, but the procedure is to make your idea into a Chekov's Gun by using the lore you have of the main antagonist/conflict. 

Let's look at the following scenario I just cooked up while writing: The antagonist is the false god Demiurge, and I think finding a Demon Slayer's sword would be cool. What is an interesting conclusion for that sword with respect to the Demiurge and their mythos? 

What if the demon slayer was a cultist of the Demiurge that despaired once knowing the truth of their false idol? Maybe the story arc should be of needing to redeem the blade which became cursed from the zealous bloodshed, figuratively haunted by the ghost of its wielder? Maybe the end of its story is to be redeemed or destroyed, lest it becomes an eldritch plague upon the land. I can see tons of ways the sword could "go off in the third act" based on this expanded lore.

In terms of procedure: First, draw together the mythology (sometimes literally) of your primary antagonist. Second, think of cool concepts. Third, jot down a dramatic conclusion referencing the lore of the antagonist and expanding that into the lore of the cool concepts. Finally, crystalize that new lore in terms of a dramatic conclusion that is the final destination if nothing is done.

Record the new Concept and Conclusion; creating a list of these will let you flesh out a story with story arcs rather than just flat ideas.

I think I'd like to consolidate some story brainstorming procedures as a solo RPG guide once I playtest them.