Story Setup: Turning Your Spark into a Starting Point
- Story Marc
- Jan 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Once you’ve found your Story Spark, it’s time to transform it into a Story Setup. This phase focuses on answering two fundamental questions:
Who is this story about?
What is happening that sets the story in motion?
By defining these elements, you’ll move from a broad idea to a specific starting point where your story begins. The goal isn’t to build the entire plot yet—it’s to create a clear, actionable moment that provides a foundation for everything to come.
What Is a Story Setup?
A Story Setup introduces the players and the situation: it’s the moment where something is happening, and the story begins. It’s not about delving into the stakes or full conflict yet—those come later.
Example:
Spark: A reclusive artist.
Story Setup: The artist discovers that their most prized painting has been stolen.
At this stage, it’s all about finding the who (protagonist) and the what (situation).
How to Shape Your Spark into a Setup
Each of the six Story Sparks provides a unique entry point for uncovering the who and what of your story. Here’s how to derive them directly from your spark:
1. People → Who and What
When your spark is a person, start by defining who they are and what situation forces them to act.
Questions to Ask:
Who is this person, and what makes them interesting?
What disrupts their current life or forces them to act?
Example Spark: A retired jewel thief.
Who: A retired jewel thief living peacefully under a new identity.
What: Their criminal past catches up with them when an old partner demands their help with a dangerous heist.
2. Places → Who and What
When your spark is a place, focus on who lives there and what event disrupts its status quo.
Questions to Ask:
Who lives here, and what’s their role in this setting?
What event or discovery disrupts this place?
Example Spark: A floating city.
Who: A young engineer responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure.
What: The city begins to fall from the sky, and they must uncover the cause before it’s too late.
3. Situations → Who and What
When your spark is a situation, define who is most affected by it and what specifically is happening.
Questions to Ask:
Who is at the center of this situation?
What is the key problem or event happening?
Example Spark: A town wakes up to find all mirrors have disappeared.
Who: A skeptical journalist investigating the phenomenon.
What: They discover the mirrors were portals to another world that is now collapsing.
4. Themes → Who and What
When your spark is a theme, think about who is most affected by the idea and what situation brings the theme to life.
Questions to Ask:
Who would experience this theme most deeply?
What situation puts this theme into action?
Example Spark: Redemption.
Who: A disgraced doctor who once made a fatal mistake.
What: They are asked to save the child of the person they failed.
5. Objects and Imagery → Who and What
When your spark is an object or image, identify who it matters to and what happens because of it.
Questions to Ask:
Who values or is affected by this object or image?
What happens when this object enters their life or is discovered?
Example Spark: A cursed locket.
Who: A young survivor haunted by their past.
What: They are forced to confront their darkest memory when the locket’s curse begins to affect their loved ones.
6. Stories → Who and What
When your spark is a borrowed or reimagined story, define who will carry the new version and what twist or change makes it unique.
Questions to Ask:
Who is the protagonist in this version of the story?
What twist or new element creates the setup?
Example Spark: Inspired by the myth of Orpheus.
Who: A musician in a dystopian city.
What: They must journey into a virtual underworld to recover their partner’s stolen memories.
Troubleshooting Common Questions
What If My Spark Doesn’t Suggest a Clear “Who”?
Answer: Focus on who is most affected by the spark. If your spark is a floating city, think about the people whose lives are tied to it—a builder, a ruler, or a citizen.
What If I Have a “What” But No “Who”?
Answer: Ask: Who has the most at stake in this situation? Who is most capable of responding to it? Build your protagonist around their connection to the event.
What If My Spark Feels Too Vague?
Can I Combine Sparks to Create My Setup?
Answer: Absolutely! Combining sparks can create a more detailed setup. For example, a spark about a cursed locket could pair with a spark about a lonely scholar, producing a setup where the scholar must uncover the locket’s history to save their family.
How Do I Know When My Setup Is “Good Enough”?
Answer: Your setup doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to define the who and what clearly enough to give your story a starting point. You can refine it later as you develop your plot and conflict.
What If My Setup Feels Cliché?
Answer: Familiar setups can feel fresh with unique characters, twists, or themes. Focus on making your story personal and compelling—originality will emerge through execution.
Do I Need to Have My Worldbuilding Done Before the Setup?
Answer: No, your setup can exist without complete worldbuilding. Use the setup as a foundation, and expand your world organically as the story develops.
Why Focus on Who and What?
The who and what are the foundational building blocks of your story. By defining these elements, you create a clear, actionable starting point without worrying about stakes or conflict yet.
Building from Your Setup
Once you’ve shaped your spark into a setup, the next step is to define the core conflict—the driving force of your story and the stakes at its heart.
To learn more, check out this article on The Universal Story Conflicts.
Your setup is the bridge from inspiration to action. What will your story look like? Take the next step and bring your spark to life!
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