Ready to Write? Write a PREMISE First! Premise Definition, Examples, and Tips

Have an idea for a novel, an essay, a book, or a script? You might think that the best thing you can do next is just to jump in and just start writing.

I am here to tell you that you should not do that.

In this video, we're going to talk about what a premise is for a script, novel, memoir, or book, and how it will transform your writing process, helping you write a better piece faster.

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[tomsawyer]

The good news, I found this video helpful. The bad news, now I have to go back and do a whole lot of re-writing. (which is actually good news too!) Thank you.

[Gburn]

You're my new favorite channel. Very evenhanded, actionable content, no dramatics. Yet still fun. You have the secret sauce, my friend.

[Starburst]

Finally someone explaining what a premise is on a technical level 😭 thank you!

[andrewfairchild]

Wow! Great stuff! It is especially important to learn whether an idea sucks BEFORE you invest hundreds of hours on writing it into a book!

[edgarsocarras]

Thank you for the material. It educated me on premises and motivated me to write one. I am writing a novel based on my grandfather's personal testimony and would love to have your feedback:

"A young Latvian boy is deported to remote parts of Siberia and separated from his family, and he is determined to reunite with his family and return home."

Thank you.

[AnnoyingMoose]

Here is how to take the whole story of "The Wizard Of Oz" and turn it into a killer premise:
Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first person she meets then teams up with three strangers to kill again.

and for "Finding Nemo":
After his wife and most of his children are brutally murdered by a serial killer his physically disabled son is kidnapped and the distraught father has to chase the kidnapper thousands of miles with the help of a mentally disabled woman.

[malosprime]

Good tips, I'm currently writing the premise of my episodic heroic science fantasy series.

[jimbernadez]

I'm so distracted by your Harry Potter books not being together for the sake of color. But anyway, love the advice. I'm starting my first novel and my brain was spinning. This was helpful.

[krystaljohnson]

Great video! These are all helpful tips. I'm happy there's a YouTube channel now. I look forward to more.

[bernicevenable]

Thank you! I got the great Worksheet. Very helpful, especially, the review of exactly what a "premise" is all about. The guide is a help.

[causingfreedom]

This has been very helpful. Thank you!

[AM-gowu]

Hello. Your video was beneficial. I wasn't able to use the link for the free premise doc. There was a problem with it. Thanks

[lauriehudson]

this is absolutely amazing! thank you!

[nimrodnotea]

The link from the email I received to download the worksheet is broken... 🤨

[FoodNerds]

Have you seen the movie A pale blue eye which used Edgar Allen Poe as a character in the story? It’s really good.

[InayetPetkerNasheedChannel]

Premise
Indian Out of Africa

The vivid journey and captivating life of an unstoppable teen, who uproots from Africa to America, to fulfill on his dreams, and returns to celebrate them and make a difference.

[emaminarikova]

That's awesome. I'd like to share my premise:, , A guy from a rich neighborhood thinks the whole world revolves around him, until a girl moves in and opens his eyes. " It is meant to be simple teenage romance.🤞

[velvetbees]

A premise reminds me of a mission statement.

[bakhshishsingh]

The Premise and the Logline are two different things in screenwriting - your video says Premise is the Logline?

[FoodNerds]

I’m having trouble describing my female protagonist in my romance novel because she is infantilized by her mom, and she is a college student and an opera singer. All 3 are important to my description of the character.