The foundation of a story is its premise.
Based on the provided reference, the premise serves as the bedrock for your plot. It encompasses the collection of situations or presuppositions that define and build your story world. Think of it as the core idea or the fundamental 'what if' upon which everything else in the narrative is built.
Understanding the Premise
The premise isn't just a simple idea; it's the essential setup that dictates the conditions and starting points for your characters and their journey. It answers fundamental questions about the world the story inhabits and the initial state of affairs that sets the plot in motion.
Components of a Premise
According to the reference, a premise includes:
- Situations: The specific circumstances or conditions that exist at the beginning of the story or that trigger the events. These are the immediate facts of the story world.
- Presuppositions: These are the underlying assumptions or rules about how the story world works. They could involve the laws of physics, the nature of magic, societal norms, historical events, or any other foundational elements that the story takes as given.
- The Story World: The entire setting, environment, and context where the narrative unfolds, shaped fundamentally by the situations and presuppositions established in the premise.
Why the Premise is Crucial
Building a strong premise is vital because it provides stability and direction for the entire story structure.
- Guides the Plot: The initial situations and presuppositions determine what conflicts are possible, what challenges characters face, and what consequences their actions might have.
- Establishes Consistency: By defining the rules of the world upfront, the premise helps maintain internal consistency throughout the narrative.
- Informs Character Motivation: Characters' goals, fears, and actions are often direct responses to the situations and presuppositions of their world.
- Sets Reader Expectations: While not explicitly stated to the reader at the outset, the premise is implicitly communicated, helping the reader understand the world and its stakes.
Practical Application
Developing your premise often involves brainstorming the core 'what if' scenarios and defining the fundamental rules of your story's universe.
- Example 1 (Fantasy): Premise: What if magic exists but is feared and outlawed, forcing those with abilities into hiding?
- Situations: Magic users are persecuted; a powerful institution hunts them.
- Presuppositions: Magic follows specific rules; certain beings have abilities; there's historical conflict regarding magic.
- Example 2 (Sci-Fi): Premise: What if humanity has colonized Mars, but is entirely reliant on Earth for vital resources?
- Situations: Mars colony exists; supply lines are critical; resource dependence is absolute.
- Presuppositions: Space travel technology works; resources on Mars are insufficient; political tensions exist between Earth and Mars.
Crafting a clear premise, even if simple, lays a solid base for developing complex plots, compelling characters, and immersive worlds. It's the essential first step in turning an idea into a fully realized story. For further reading on story structure, see Story Structure Basics (Placeholder Link).
