As a fiction writer, you know that crafting a compelling premise is crucial in setting the stage for your story. But what exactly does it mean to write a premise? And how do you go about doing it?

A well-crafted premise is the foundation of any successful fiction writing. It provides readers with an engaging and intriguing starting point, setting the stage for your story’s events to unfold.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the world of premises and provide you with practical tips on how to craft one that will captivate readers from the very beginning.

But, what is a premise?

A premise is a concise statement that encapsulates the central idea of your story. It serves as a blueprint for your narrative and provides direction for character arcs, plot progression, and thematic exploration. A strong premise should be able to convey the essence of your story in 2-3 sentences without revealing too much about the specifics. Instead, focus on capturing the essence of your story’s underlying set-up.

A good premise should be:

1. Compelling: Interesting enough to grab readers’ attention and make them want to know more.
2. Unique: Fresh and original, with a twist or surprise that sets it apart from other stories in the same genre.
3. Well-defined: Clear and concise, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

“A good premise can make or break your story; it should be unique, intriguing, and set up the stakes for your characters right away.” – Jodi Picoult

A premise can be expressed as:

• A single sentence: “What if a time traveller went back to prevent their own birth?”
• A brief paragraph: “In a world where memories can be implanted or erased, a young woman discovers she’s the key to unlocking a mysterious phenomenon.”
• An elevator pitch: “Imagine a society where people are judged based on their social media profiles. What happens when someone tries to hack the system?”

A premise is not:

• A plot summary (e.g., “The protagonist goes on a quest to save the world.”)
• A character description (e.g., “Meet John, a struggling artist trying to make it big.”)

Having a solid premise in place can help you:

• Clarify your ideas: By distilling your concept into a few sentences, you’ll gain clarity on what drives your story.
• Develop characters: A strong premise sets the stage for character development and helps you understand their motivations.
• Structure your narrative: Your premise serves as a foundation for building tension, conflict, and resolution in your story.

“A good premise should be able to capture the essence of your story in one sentence – or at most two… The best premises are those that reveal character, situation, and conflict all at once. They’re like a snapshot of the entire narrative, distilled into a single phrase.” – from “How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times” by Roy Peter Clark.

How to Write Your Premise

Step 1: Identify Your Story’s Central Conflict

The first step in writing a compelling premise is identifying the central conflict or challenge that drives your narrative. This could be an internal struggle, such as overcoming fear or self-doubt, or an external obstacle like saving a loved one from danger. Consider what your protagonist must overcome and how this conflict will shape the overall story arc.

Step 2: Introduce Your Main Character(s)

Your premise should briefly introduce your main character(s), highlighting their key traits, motivations, or goals that are central to resolving the central conflict. This could be a heroic figure fighting for justice, an unlikely underdog seeking redemption, or even an antagonist with conflicting desires and loyalties.

Step 3: Establish the Story’s Setting and Genre

To create context for your premise, briefly mention the story’s setting and genre. This could be a dystopian future world, a medieval kingdom, or even an alternate reality. The setting and genre will help readers visualise the environment in which the conflict unfolds and provide clues about the tone and style of your narrative.

Step 4: Include Stakes and Consequences

A strong premise should convey the stakes involved for your protagonist(s) if they fail to resolve the central conflict. This could be a loss of life, freedom, or even the fate of an entire world. Including consequences in your premise adds weight to the story and emphasises the importance of overcoming the central challenge.

Step 5: Create a Sense of Urgency

A compelling premise should convey an underlying sense of urgency and danger, driving your characters toward their goals or forcing them into difficult situations. This can be achieved by hinting at potential consequences if they fail to achieve their objectives or overcome the obstacles in their path.

Step 6: Keep it Concise and Engaging

Remember that a premise is meant to be brief and engaging. Avoid including too many details or specific plot points, as these can spoil the surprise and intrigue for readers. Instead, focus on capturing the essence of your story while leaving room for exploration and discovery.

Example Premises

• In a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is enslaved by an alien race, a young woman must risk everything to lead a rebellion against their oppressors and restore freedom to her people.
• A timid accountant discovers he has the ability to time travel, embarking on a journey through history to prevent his own murder while uncovering dark secrets about those closest to him.
• In a world where magic is outlawed, an orphan girl with hidden powers must join forces with a rogue prince and navigate treacherous political alliances to overthrow the tyrannical ruler who threatens their homeland’s very existence.
• In a world where memories can be implanted or erased, a young woman must navigate the blurred lines between reality and fantasy as she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens her very existence.
• When a group of friends discover an ancient artefact hidden deep in the forest, they unwittingly unleash a curse that will change their lives forever – but at what cost?
• In a dystopian future where emotions have been genetically engineered out of humanity, one individual must find a way to rekindle hope and spark rebellion against the oppressive regime.

My own current premise

“A young man is forced by his father to join the Roman Army to find out what has happened to his older brother, Tomas, who was posted as ‘missing’ 2 years ago, but more importantly, did Tomas take the amber bee?” Total words = 40

Key takeaways

1. Keep it concise: Write your premise in 2-3 sentences that capture the core idea of your story.
2. Focus on underlying set-up: Don’t worry about incorporating character names or specific plot points; instead, focus on capturing the essence of your story’s underlying setup.
3. Use vivid language and active voice: To make your premise engaging and memorable.

“A great premise should be simple, engaging, and leave readers wanting more.” – Orson Scott Card

A ‘formula’ for writing your premise

1. Character + Situation = Objective
2. Opponent (who/what stands in their way) + Disaster (stake if they fail)

Example:

“A group of Navy Seals are sent on a black-ops mission to investigate the discovery of a United States submarine that vanished over [insert time-frame]...”

This formula aims to capture the essence of your story’s main conflict and stakes, while also highlighting the character(s) involved. Feel free to modify it or use it as inspiration for crafting your own premise!

8 Steps to write your premise

1. Start with the core idea: In 2-3 sentences, write the underlying set up of your story.
   • Don’t worry about character names or specific plot points; those will evolve as you continue to write.
   • Focus on capturing the essence of your story’s main conflict and stakes.
2. Define what your story is “about”: Clearly state the central theme, genre, or tone of your novel.
3. Identify your central conflict: Determine the main struggle or challenge your characters face, whether it’s internal or external. This sets the foundation of your story and engages readers from the beginning.
4.  Establish your main characters: Introduce your primary characters with distinct personalities and motivations to help readers connect with them emotionally. Focus on one or two central figures rather than an entire cast at this stage.
5. Set your story’s world and time period: Provide context for the setting of your story, whether it is past, present, or future. This helps create a unique atmosphere that will engage readers from the start.
6. Create a sense of urgency: Convey an underlying sense of danger or urgency in your premise to drive characters toward their goals and force them into difficult situations.
7. Include consequences: Add weight to your premise by including potential consequences if the central challenge is not overcome (e.g., loss of life, freedom, or world existence). This creates a sense of urgency and importance for readers.
8. Keep it short and engaging: Aim for a concise, impactful premise with two to three sentences that capture the essence of your story without overwhelming readers with unnecessary details. This will help draw them in and keep them invested throughout your novel or short story.

Example: “In [genre] set in [setting], when [main character(s)] face(s) [central conflict], they must overcome [opponent/obstacle] to prevent [consequence]. This journey will explore themes of [thematic elements].”

For instance, a premise for a dystopian science fiction novel could be: “In a world ravaged by climate change and ruled by an oppressive government, a young hacker must infiltrate the system to expose the truth behind the regime’s manipulation of weather patterns before humanity is wiped out.”

Conclusion

Writing your premise is an essential step in crafting a compelling story. By following these tips and focusing on capturing the underlying set-up of your narrative, you’ll be well on your way to creating a premise that will captivate readers from start to finish.

Remember: your premise sets the stage for everything else – characters, plot points, themes, and more. And your premise is not set in stone; it’s meant to be refined as you develop your story. But having a solid foundation from the start will help you build a stronger narrative.

Take your time in crafting one that truly captures the essence of your story, and watch as it helps guide you through the writing process with greater clarity and purpose. A well-written premise is just the beginning – let it inspire you as you continue to write and explore new dimensions within your story.