Story Question    

Step 4: Story Question

Once you have the heart, it suggests the overall shape of the story. The attainment of a goal needs to be something tangible, something that clearly indicates success or failure in the story.

Examples:
Romeo and Juliet: Romeo and Juliet want to run away, be married, and live peacefully together in love. Failure occurs if they are not able to escape.
The story question is: Will Romeo and Juliet be able to escape?

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The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy longs to return home. Failure occurs if she is unable to return home.
The story question is: Will Dorothy be able to return home?

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The Hunt for Red October: Ramius wishes to escape the repressive Soviet Union and live in the United States. Failure occurs if he is caught escaping.
The story question is: Will Ramius be able to escape to freedom?

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The Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo must destroy the One Ring. Failure occurs if the ring is not destroyed.
The story question is: Will Frodo be able to destroy the One Ring?

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What does your protagonist ultimately want? Make it very specific, so that its attainment or lack thereof clearly indicates success or failure. Write down your story question.