Push the story with a problem!
For writers and audiences, there's a driving force for the story. For most stories, there is a problem either in the shape of an individual or an object. There are also burning questions, different motivations, anything that keep the story flowing in way that makes sense. Ideas like this place the story in its set path.
A few examples may be a lost family item, revenge for a character's family, or a journey to save the world. These are the basic examples, but it works as long as the idea is explained in its importance.
Writing in steps or peaks,
it's not a singular mountain.
Most writers start with the idea of the hero's journey, or a story mountain as taught by most English teachers. It works in some regard, but by examining different books, there are more steps than the usual story mountain. Many stories have a different methodology, with the story moving forward with different problems to move the story along. It's never a story of jumping right to the end, there are many themes and storylines that show up before the end mark.
Plan it out in writing!
A story always needs to be planned out. There are a few rare instances where improvising can work, but it's not too reliable. Writing out your story in chapters or notes can make the process a snap. The document may be long, but if you write it out and it doesn't sound good, you can always change it before you start writing. It's similar to the planning process of movie production. You plan it line to line with the story board, and if you don't like it you can change it.
