Brainstorming Your Story Premise
November is just around the corner, and for writers, that means one thing: NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is about to begin! Whether you’re a seasoned NaNoWriMo veteran or a first-time participant, the key to a successful writing marathon is a solid story premise.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of brainstorming and refining your story idea, helping you create a strong foundation for your novel. By the end, you’ll have a clear, concise story premise that will keep you motivated and on track throughout your NaNoWriMo journey.
A story premise is a brief summary of your novel’s core idea. It outlines the key elements of your story, including your protagonist, the main conflict they face, and the stakes involved. Think of it as an elevator pitch for your book – a concise description that captures the essence of your story and hooks potential readers.
A well-crafted story premise serves several purposes:
To create a compelling story premise, you need to identify and develop three crucial elements: your protagonist, the central conflict, and the stakes.
Your protagonist is the heart of your story. They are the character readers will follow, root for, and invest in emotionally. When brainstorming your story premise, ask yourself:
For example, in the classic novel “Pride and Prejudice,” the protagonist is Elizabeth Bennet, a clever and spirited young woman who values her independence and moral principles. Her motivation is to find love and happiness on her own terms, despite societal pressures and expectations.
Every great story revolves around a central conflict – the obstacle or challenge your protagonist must overcome. This conflict can be external (e.g., a villain, a natural disaster, a societal issue) or internal (e.g., a personal struggle, a moral dilemma, a flaw in the protagonist’s character). Consider:
In “Pride and Prejudice,” the central conflict is both external and internal. Externally, Elizabeth must navigate the pressures of her society to marry well and secure her family’s future. Internally, she struggles with her own pride and prejudice, which cause her to misjudge people and situations.
In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the central conflict is both external and internal. Externally, Luke Skywalker must navigate the threat of the Galactic Empire and the struggle to defeat it, aligning himself with the Rebel Alliance to restore peace and justice to the galaxy. Internally, he struggles with self-doubt and inexperience, which cause him to question his role in the greater conflict and his ability to live up to the legacy of the Jedi.
The stakes are what give your story its sense of urgency and importance. They answer the question: “What happens if the protagonist succeeds or fails in their quest?” High stakes keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome. Think about:
In “Pride and Prejudice,” the stakes are both personal and societal. If Elizabeth fails to find a suitable husband, she risks social ostracism and financial insecurity. But more importantly, she risks losing her chance at true love and happiness.
In Star Wars: A New Hope, the stakes are both personal and galactic. If Luke Skywalker fails to join the Rebel Alliance and help destroy the Death Star, the galaxy will remain under the oppressive rule of the Empire. But more importantly, he risks losing his chance to discover his true potential as a Jedi and to find his place in the universe.
Now that you’ve identified your protagonist, central conflict, and stakes, it’s time to craft your one-paragraph story premise. Here’s a simple template to get you started:
[Protagonist name], a [description of protagonist], must [central conflict] or else [stakes].
Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited young woman in Regency England, must navigate societal pressures and overcome her own pride and prejudice to find true love and happiness, or risk living a life of spinsterhood and regret.
Luke Skywalker, a restless farm boy on the desert planet Tatooine, must navigate the dangers of a galaxy in turmoil and overcome his own self-doubt and fear to embrace his destiny as a Jedi, or risk living a life of obscurity and missed potential under the shadow of the Galactic Empire.
Once you have a draft of your story premise, take some time to refine and polish it. Make sure it’s clear, concise, and compelling. Here are some tips:
Remember, your premise is a starting point, not a rigid blueprint. As you dive into writing your novel, you may discover new facets of your story that require adjustments to your premise. That’s okay! Allow your premise to evolve as your story takes shape.
To help spark your creativity, here are a few more examples of strong story premises from popular novels:
There here are countless other online resources to support you through your NaNoWriMo journey. Here are a few popular ones:
Crafting a strong story premise is a critical first step in preparing for NaNoWriMo. By developing a clear understanding of your protagonist, central conflict, and stakes, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon as you embark on your writing journey.
Remember, your premise is your north star – it will guide you through the ups and downs of the writing process and help you stay true to the heart of your story. Take the time to brainstorm, refine and fall in love with your premise. Your future novel (and your NaNoWriMo success) will thank you for it!
For more inspiration throughout the month, check out our NaNoWriMo Tips series on our blog. We’ll be sharing advice on everything from busting through writer’s block to celebrating your wins.
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Stories are meant to be shared
