When making a StoryMap here are some questions to consider:
Why make a story? Who is your intended audience?
What content do you have already, and what content do you still need (photos, videos, audio, maps, etc.)?
Do you have any data that needs to be manipulated or cleaned so it can be incorporated?
Does your content and data allow you to convey your overall message? If not, what can you do about it?
Does the aesthetic choices of your StoryMap — colors, fonts, symbols, etc. — complement your data to create a compelling narrative?