Guild Meeting Notes 9/11/2024

Crafting a Story Premise

The Foundation of Your Narrative

Key points:

•     A story premise is the core idea or central theme driving the narrative

•    A strong premise provides direction, focus, and structure to a story

•    Premises typically follow the structure: "[Action or belief] leads to [result or consequence]"

•    A premise shapes the beginning, middle, and end of a story

•    Characters can be developed around the premise, each with a unique perspective on it

•    A good premise generates natural conflict and tension between characters

• ·  Premises can be created from scratch, derived from a scene, or built from a character

• ·   A well-crafted premise acts as a "North Star" for writers, guiding decision-making throughout the writing process

•    Developing a clear premise at the outset can help maintain thematic integrity in a story

•   Writers are encouraged to distill their story ideas into a premise to unlock their narrative's full potential

Ending Remarks

          The session discussed the importance of crafting a strong story premise in writing. A premise is defined as the core idea or central theme that drives a narrative, encapsulating the underlying message or lesson that characters will grapple with throughout the story. The session emphasizes how a well-crafted premise provides direction, focus, and structure to a story, influencing character development, plot structure, and conflict generation. It also offers guidance on how to develop a premise and use it to shape characters and storylines.

Crafting a Story Premise 

       The Foundation of Your Narrative 

     As writers, we've all experienced those moments of frustration when our stories seem to lose direction or when we struggle to articulate what our work is really about. If you've ever found yourself in this situation, you're not alone. The good news is that there's a powerful tool at your disposal that can help you overcome these challenges: the story premise. In this article, we'll explore what a premise is, why it's crucial to your writing process, and how you can develop one that will give your story the focus and momentum it needs.

What is a Story Premise?

     Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify what we mean by "premise." Think of it as the core idea or central theme that drives your entire narrative. It's the underlying message or lesson that your characters will grapple with throughout the story. In essence, a premise is a belief or concept that your protagonist holds at the beginning of the story, which will be challenged and potentially transformed by the end.

     For example, a premise might be something like, "Pushing through physical trials builds internal strength." This simple statement encapsulates the journey your character will undertake and the transformation they'll experience.

Why is a Strong Premise Important?

     You might be wondering, "Can't I just start writing and figure out the premise later?" While it's certainly possible to write without a clear premise in mind, having one from the outset offers several significant advantages:

1. Direction: A premise gives your story a clear trajectory, helping you avoid aimless wandering in your narrative.

2. Focus: It keeps you centered on the core message or theme, preventing unnecessary tangents.

3. Character Development: Your premise informs how your characters will grow and change throughout the story.

4. Plot Structure: It naturally suggests a beginning, middle, and end for your narrative.

5. Conflict Generation: A strong premise creates natural opportunities for conflict between characters with differing viewpoints.

How a Premise Shapes Your Story

     Let's break down how a premise influences the structure of your story using our example: "Pushing through physical trials builds internal strength."

1. Beginning: The first part of the premise ("pushing through physical trials") suggests how your story might start. Perhaps your protagonist is an athlete facing intense training or a challenging competition.

2. Middle: The verb in your premise ("builds") implies a gradual process. This suggests that your story's middle will involve multiple challenges or trials that your character must overcome.

3. End: The final part of the premise ("internal strength") indicates where your character will end up. They'll have developed resilience and inner fortitude that they didn't possess at the start.

     Can you see how this simple statement provides a roadmap for your entire narrative? It's like having a compass that always points you in the right direction as you write.

Developing Characters Around Your Premise

     One of the most exciting aspects of working with a premise is how it can help you flesh out your characters. Each character in your story should have a unique perspective on the premise, creating a spectrum of beliefs that generate natural conflict and tension.

           Let's consider our athlete example:

• • • Protagonist: Initially disagrees with the premise, valuing external achievements over internal growth.

    • Mentor: Fully believes in the premise, guiding the protagonist towards this realization.

    • Antagonist: Might represent the extreme opposite of the premise, perhaps believing that shortcuts or cheating are preferable to hard work.

    • Supporting Characters: Can occupy various points along the spectrum, challenging or supporting the protagonist's journey in different ways.

     By positioning your characters in relation to the premise, you create a rich tapestry of interactions and conflicts that will drive your plot forward.

Crafting Your Own Premise

     Now that you understand the power of a strong premise, how do you go about creating one for your story? Here are a few approaches you can try:

• • • • • Start from Scratch: Begin with a concept or theme you want to explore and formulate it into a premise statement.

• • • • • Derive from a Scene: If you have a vivid scene in mind, consider what underlying belief or concept it might represent.

• • • • • Build from a Character: If you're starting with a compelling character, think about their core beliefs and how those might be challenged or changed.

     Remember, a good premise often follows the structure: "[Action or belief] leads to [result or consequence]."

     For instance:

• "Avoiding small conflicts leads to greater conflicts."

• "Breaking routine breathes life into tired relationships."

• "Inflated confidence in ability leads to errors in judgment."

Developing Your Premise

     Take a moment to think about a story idea you've been mulling over. Try to distill it into a premise using the structure above. What is the core belief or action that your story will explore? What is the result or consequence of this belief or action?

     Once you have your premise, consider how it might shape your story's beginning, middle, and end. How will your characters relate to this premise? What conflicts might arise from differing perspectives on it?

Conclusion

     A well-crafted premise is more than just a writing exercise—it's the foundation upon which you can build a compelling, focused narrative. By starting with a clear premise, you give yourself a powerful tool for developing your plot, shaping your characters, and maintaining the thematic integrity of your story.

     Remember, the premise is your story's North Star. It guides you when you're lost, helps you make decisions about plot and character, and ensures that every element of your narrative is working towards a unified goal. So the next time you sit down to write, take a moment to consider your premise. It might just be the key to unlocking the full potential of your story.

     Now, it's your turn. What premise will drive your next great work? The world is waiting for your story—go forth and write with purpose!

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Writing Exercise

                                                                                       August 14, 2024

Select one of the following exercises to complete for the meeting.

Exercise 1: Crafting a Simple Premise (Less challenging)

 Develop a clear and concise story premise based on a personal experience or observation.

 Instructions:

1. Reflect on a personal experience or a significant observation you've made in your life. This could be a moment of realization, a challenge you faced, or an interaction that left an impression on you.

2. Using the structure "[Action or belief] leads to [result or consequence]," distill this experience into a premise statement. For example, "Facing fears leads to personal growth."

3. Write a short scene or story (300-600 words) that illustrates this premise in action. Focus on a character who embodies the premise and show how they navigate a situation that challenges their belief or action.

4. Prepare to read your scene aloud at the group meeting, paying attention to how the premise shapes the character's journey.

Exercise 2: Complex Premise Development (More challenging)

 Create a multi-layered premise that explores conflicting beliefs among characters.

 Instructions:

Choose a theme or concept that interests you, such as ambition, love, or sacrifice.

1. Develop a premise statement using the structure "[Action or belief] leads to [result or consequence]." Ensure that this premise can be interpreted in multiple ways, allowing for conflict. For example, "Pursuing success at all costs leads to personal isolation."

2. Create three characters with differing perspectives on this premise:

   1. 1. 1. •   Protagonist: Who believes in the premise and is experiencing its consequences.

            •   Mentor: Who supports the protagonist but offers a different interpretation of the premise.

            •   Antagonist: Who opposes the premise and represents an alternative belief.

3. Write a scene or story (300-1000 words) that showcases a confrontation or dialogue between these characters, highlighting their conflicting beliefs and how they relate to the premise.

4. Be prepared to read your scene aloud at the group meeting, focusing on how the characters' interactions illuminate the complexity of the premise.

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