Struggling to get past the "seed" phase of an idea.
Hi everyone :)
I have an interesting idea for a short story which could be a decent short film as well. The only problem is developing it past that initial seed. It has been so long since I've written short stories. I usually write poetry or scripts these days but I used to do them all the time back in the day. Do you guys know any decent exercises that can help me figure out where to go?
Could also do with some feedback on the idea itself.
It's a gothic Victorian setting, has supernatural themes but isn't scary so not technically horror. Just melancholic vibes.
A poor orphan girl of 17, Imogen is so overcome with loneliness and desperation to finally make a friend that she starts communicating with the dead. She wanders alone through crumbling cemeteries, hoping to reach out beyond the veil to befriend the lost souls on the other side who are lonely, too.
Think Victorian memento mori vibes, Edgar Allan Poe, sadboi poet stuff. Very emotional. The spirits aren't frightening, though. They're just tormented and melancholy.
Any ideas of where to go with this one?