: Re: How do you effectively develop a plot when you have a proper back story? I'm writing a sci-fi/fantasy story, which is arguably not yet a novel, and has general similarities with most fantasy

@Megan928

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It sounds like you don't really have a story yet, but a world.

But a story is the journey of a character who wants something.

Try one of these:

Start with a character who lives in your world. What do they want? How they get it is your story. (If they have everything they want, you don't have a story; take something away from them). OR
Start with a big conflict/problem/goal that might happen in your world. Who'd be most affected by it? That could be your main character. How they handle, maybe overcome, this challenge, is your story.

(It's a common problem for new sci-fi/fantasy authors to focus too much on worldbuilding in the beginning, and that's fine, but don't fall for the illusion that the world is 90% of the job. Characters and their problems/struggles/growth are still the main part of any storytelling).

I recommend books on the writing craft in general, google:

Truby's Anatomy of a Story
Writing Excuses Podcast
On Writing by Stephen King
etc.

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