But first, it’s helpful — to your story, and your learning curve, and thus, your career trajectory — to understand why this question is critical.

Simple fact: a significant reason stories get rejected, or don’t find a self-published readership, is that the story, at its core, doesn’t glow in the dark. The premise, and perhaps even the idea that hatched it, is too familiar, too lacking in dramatic juice, too less than fully compelling.

Just because the idea appeals to you doesn’t mean it will ring the bell with agents, editors and, most important of all, readers. Some writers advise you to write for yourself, that nobody else matters. That’s terrible advice if, in fact, you seek to establish and build a career. It’s like starting a restaurant chain called PB and Mustard’s, because that’s how you like your sandwiches.

The premise is the DNA of your story. If the DNA doesn’t line up, then the writing itself may not be enough to save it. (I worded that to be polite; here’s the straight skinny: unless you’re writing in the “literary fiction” genre, your writing isn’t why people come to a story. They come for the idea. For the premise. For the sauce that promises a vicarious experience.

Click the link (below) to discover the eight core criteria — the same as the eight essential elements — of your premise. This article appeared in the March issue of Writers Digest Magazine, and exists here — republished just this week — as part of their online offerings.

Enjoy. This could be the epiphany you’ve been looking for.

https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/how-to-mind-the-facets-of-premise-for-story-gold

The post Is Your Premise Strong Enough? Are you sure? appeared first on Storyfix.com.