How to Develop a Story Idea For a Novel
Are you writing a novel this year? Maybe it’s your first time, and you’re wondering where to start. Or you’ve done this before, but you’re looking to nail down your process.
Either way, this article will help.
Today, we’ll discuss how to explore a fresh idea and develop a firm foundation of the essential elements every story requires so that you can create a rock-solid premise statement for your novel. And if you are already drafting or in revision, heads up. Being able to nail your premise at any point in the writing process will only help you, so don’t run away.
My Personal Angst with Story Development
I‘m a writer with a rather frustrating relationship story development. I don’t get big-picture ideas for books. My stories don’t start with the “What if x happened to y, and we got z?” statements. There’s no POW! factor, as Stephen King likes to say.
Oh no. I get a random snippet of a scene, a tiny spark of interaction between characters, and a heavy sense of emotion—if that. I have no idea who these people are, what they want, where they are, or why they’re doing whatever they’re doing in my imagination.
I used to write from those sparks. Just jump right in and see where things went, and nine times out of ten, they went on for no more than a couple of pages. That was it. Hence, my graveyard of Google Docs.
Now, I spend time fleshing these sparks out before writing a word of narrative.
A. LOT. OF. TIME.
I’ve learned the hard way it’s better to invest the time upfront exploring the key elements of the story versus risking countless unfinished drafts or years of painful revision. It’s worth it.
Pro Tip: Explore Your Premise First
Now, I explore these shiny ideas by searching out the story's premise–the big concept behind the book. By exploring the premise, I gain insight into the key pieces of information I need to develop a high-level plot and see if the story can go the distance to become an entire novel.
All writers need to develop their premise before doing anything else because it’s the foundation for everything.
If you understand your premise:
The story will have focus and a clear message the readers can connect with deeply.
You won't write elements that don't fit with the mood and tone of the book.
You'll be less likely to write meandering storylines and create weak connections between events.
Your characters will have more depth and feel consistent.
You'll eliminate substantial and painful rewrites during revisions.
The marketability of your story will increase when it's time to pitch or publish because you can say precisely what it's about and determine where it fits in the publishing landscape.
The Difference Between Premise and Plot:
What’s a premise?
The premise is the foundational idea that forms the basis of the story. It is a concise statement that outlines the central concept or theme of the narrative. The premise provides the initial set-up, introduces the main idea, and gives readers a sense of what the story is about at a high level.
It also solves the problem of what to say when someone asks you what your book is about. So it's your logline or sixty-second elevator pitch.
Example: In a dystopian future, a young woman rebels against a totalitarian government that controls society through a brutal annual event known as “The Hunger Games.”
What is a Plot?
The plot is what happens in the story and how it happens. When you hear “plot”, think of a sequence of events that make up the story to cause a global change.
Remember, a story is always about change: We begin in one place and end in another. If your book doesn’t do that, it will not work. The plot involves developing characters, the unfolding of conflicts that increase stakes, and the resolution of those conflicts.
Think of the plot as a dynamic narrative element that gives the story structure and momentum. The twists and turns, rising action, climax, and resolution work together to keep the reader engaged until the end.
Example: The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her sister’s place in The Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death among young tributes. Throughout the competition, she forms alliances, faces challenges, and ultimately challenges the oppressive system.
The premise is the core idea or concept that sets the stage for the story, while the plot is the unfolding of events that make up the narrative. The premise is more static, providing the foundation, while the plot is dynamic, driving the story forward.
From a premise arises the plot, and from the plot arises the dynamic change we need to see for a story to work. Creating and exploring a premise statement will force you to examine the five essential elements every story must have.
What are the five key elements every story needs?
Setting: Where and when the story takes place.
Character(s): Who the story is about and how they will change.
Conflict: The central problem the character will face that will force change.
Plot Events: Action that works to make the character engage, take risks, and make decisions.
Theme: The big takeaway or message the story contains or alludes to.
I think of a story as a container. The walls of the container are your setting. Inside, you have a character with a problem (conflict), and they go through a series of events (plot) to solve it. The problem, how the character solves it, and how they change or how the world around them changes in the process speaks to the story’s message (theme).
Spend time brainstorming and researching these elements. Have fun with it, and don’t be in a rush.
Practice crafting your premise statement:
I use a modified version of Pixar’s Plot Sketch Formula, which always shows me the weak spots in my foundation. Then, I try to boil it down to one or two sentences that capture the essence of the story.
MAD LIBS PREMISE TOOL
There once was a __________ (descriptive characteristic, + emotional state/worldview) ________________( main character,) who lived in ____________ (setting) and wanted _________ (character desire at beginning of story).
One day, the character’s life changed because of ____________ (plot event = inciting incident).
This event creates a problem for the character, and because of this, the character wants to _________ (new desire).
But they can’t get it because of _____________ (antagonistic force/ core conflict).
Putting it all together:
Can you see how thinking about the critical elements of the story and playing Premise Mad Libs forces you to expand on your idea, deepen it, look for the core conflict the character faces, and imagine how you want them to overcome it?
You won’t get everything you need to know about the book from crafting a premise, but you’ll undoubtedly see where the story is going and if there is a big enough problem to go the distance of an entire novel.
I hope you see that this upfront investment in playing premise Mad Libs will help you understand the story’s core idea, save you a ton of time, enhance the quality of your storytelling, and give you more confidence and joy in the drafting process!
So don’t pants or plot before you premise, my friend!
Want to learn the next step to craft your novel? Learn how to identify your primary content genre to help you plan, plot, or even revise your story!
Remember, you can learn all the skills you need to craft a manuscript you are proud of! It’s never too late to write your story!
