So, you have a basic idea for a story, story-arc, or an adventure in your novel, table-top campaign, or video game...now what?
A basic notion to keep in mind is that twists and turns can keep a story interesting, engaging, and even entertaining. It's not simply about sharing your story, yet is also about doing so while maintaining the readers' / players' attention(s). So, let's start with an example idea and develop it!
A murderer stalks the streets of a city, town, or the trails of a forest...
That is the basic premise. Now, does the story revolve around the murderer and his or her motives and experience with their murdering?
Is the story more about one or more of the victims? Perhaps how one of the victims copes with the murderer's holding them hostage. Maybe the victim survived the murderer's attempt on their life and has to deal with that experience, knowing the murderer remains at large. The victim could have survived by somehow managing to kill the murderer, and must deal with the fact they took a life, even if it was in self-defense.
Could the story be about one individual or a group who want the murderer apprehended or dead, like a story of revenge? Are the murders a backdrop around which to frame what the actual story is about?
One idea, many directions and potentials to explore in expanding on a basic, simple premise. Where this idea ultimately leads is dependent upon the needs of your characters or overall story. Is there a general framework already established that one of those directions would fit more easily into?
Characters' actions determine how events unfold---NOT the other way around.
When developing a story idea, it is a good rule of thumb, to have events revolve around character development first-and-foremost. How does the event(s) impact the character(s)? What does the event(s) mean to each involved---how do the characters perceive the happening(s) and respond to how others involved's choices and behavior?
A natural, organic story will play out respectively and appropriately if an author remains true to their characters, without seeming contrived or forced. Characters' actions determine events or how events unfold more than the other way around, which can come across as artificial and often times, confusing for viewers/readers/players.
Does the main character or one of the characters in the story (main or supporting cast) secretly feel the murderer is doing the world or local region a favor by killing those he has? If so, would this influence the character to deter or sabotage any one else in coming close to figuring out who the murderer is or catching/killing him? How do others respond to these actions? Is anyone getting the feeling or hints that the character in question is subtly sabotaging them? How would any of the other cast feel about this or what actions would they take if discovering the perception and feelings harbored by the character throwing them off the murderer's trail?
See, how in the previous paragraph, depth began to emerge for the story idea. More layers came into play, that work off of one another to produce interesting results beyond simply: Murderer has, well, murdered, and must be stopped; Murderer is pursued, then story climaxes, resolves and is over. It's great to keep things simple, though if your story's premise can be summarized in one short sentence, then perhaps it needs re-evaluating. For example:
"A murderer is pursued by a group of friends, all wanting revenge for the loss of loved ones at his vile hands. Hot on the killer's trail, they follow clues that lead to a discovery more shocking than the loss they've suffered! Their lives and the murderer's will never be the same!"
Brief...clear...to the point, yet teases the reader with the unexpected. The description above sets-up the story as being more than an average murder story, in a concise, intriguing manner.
In conclusion: Consider your Character's goals and how they perceive events, actions of those around them or involved with them, the motivations for their own actions, and let that dance with plot-beats to create an interesting story with depth, intrigue, and genuine characters. Don't be afraid to show how events impact your characters and how their experiences are significant to them.
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