Template! Whip Up Your Story's Premise
Create characters who believe the impossible is possible...in 4 easy steps.
Story’s Secret Sauce = Premise = Conviction
The secret sauce of a story starts with a character’s conviction. A character’s conviction must be found in the PREMISE.
Download the template:
I invite you to create your story premise or rework an existing one with the premise template below that has “baked-in” character conviction.
Story Waves’ definition of premise: Once you have your concept, a premise describes the story’s central conflict. A premise is the stove upon which you cook your story’s secret sauce. You’re most special ingredient is “conviction.” A premise shows the promise of making the impossible possible through a character’s unwavering conviction.
Then, you must add your personal writer’s conviction to taste.
Premise Template: The Impossible Made Possible
ACT I
In a _______ (setting), your main character encounters a life-altering surprise, whether it be a shock or a shiny chance (introduce disruption or problem). They're thrust into an epic tale brimming with _______ (challenges or opportunities), powered by a deep-seated _______ (emotion or motivation to fulfill a weakness/need), which crystalizes into a definitive mission to achieve something that seems utterly unachievable.
ACT II
The goal at hand is too pressing to overlook because the stakes involve _______ (describe the stakes). They must take action. On their path, they clash with a much stronger _______ (adversary/obstacle) whose own clashing ambitions lead to strife, unforeseen turns, and deception. These hurdles ignite our main character's spirit, culminating in more losses and false wins that stoke a fierce resolve to vanquish the weakness/need and snag their goal.
ACT III
Facing towering difficulties, our hero/heroine burrows within, unearthing previously unknown _______ (inner strengths/new abilities/insights) that carry them past daunting barriers and antagonistic forces. Transformed, their once-routine decisions, choices, and bad habits metamorphize, and their new belief/skill steers them to _______ (a final conflict or confrontation), and eventually, toward an outcome that's ________(describe the resolution).
ACT IV
As the story comes full circle, the main character is not who they once were. Their life, irrevocably altered from its inception by the odyssey they have endured, reflects a profound shift. They've redefined the impossible, their perspective, or place in the world has evolved, epitomizing _______ (lesson learned/new status quo).
Please let me know in the comments or email me back. Tell me what you think of this story premise template and whether it helps to craft the story’s character conviction, conflict, and creativity. Thanks!
Join our Secret Sauce Writing Challenge: April 2, 2024
Starting Tuesday, April 2, 2024, we kick off Add Your Story’s Secret Sauce.
SNEAK PEEK: In Week 1, we’ll find out what Paul Newman knew about a story’s secret sauce when we uncover his PI mystery film HARPER (1966). Our first writing prompt will recreate an unforgettable opening character montage, as Paul Newman showed us in HARPER.
Use your SECRET SAUCE RECIPE (and your story’s premise) during our 4-Week Writing Challenge:
4/2/24: A character montage, using the mystery HARPER (1966), w/ Paul Newman.
4/9/24: An animal spirit bookend scene, using the Hulu TV series, THE BEAR (2022).
4/16/24: A family dinner scene, using the comedy STEP BROTHERS (2008).
4/23/24: A dance scene, using the rom-com THE WEDDING PLANNER (2001).
DIRECTIONS: Read through the secret sauce recipe ingredients. Brainstorm and write your responses.
Get your Story’s Secret Sauce: INGREDIENTS
Or find “Your Secret Sauce Recipe” post HERE.
Find my story’s secret sauce recipe in the comments.
April’s 4-Week Writing Challenge: What to Expect
All subscribers can expect to achieve the following outcomes:
Enhanced Screenplay Elements Mastery:
Action Mastery: Learn how to craft vivid, dynamic action lines to set the scene, evoke emotions, and immerse the audience in the world of your story.
Dialogue Development: Gain the skills to write sharp, character-specific dialogue that reveals personality, advances the plot, and enriches the narrative.
Character Depth: Discover how to use the secret sauce recipe to add layers to your characters, making them more complex, relatable, and memorable through their actions, choices, and dialogue.
Persuasive Writing Techniques: Employ persuasive writing strategies combined with the secret sauce story ingredients to convince readers of your characters' motivations, the importance of the central conflict, and the necessity of their journey.
General Outcomes for All Participants:
Understand the Secret Sauce Recipe: Grasp how to apply this unique formula to create memorable characters and stories that embody conviction.
Enhance Story Crafting Skills: Learn to effectively use the secret sauce to craft compelling opening pages, strong character introductions, setting up the initial story framework, deepening the central conflict, and designing a gripping inciting incident.
Boost Creativity and Conviction: Gain insights into using your conviction and creativity to add a special flavor to your storytelling, making it stand out.
Apply Key Ingredients: Learn to infuse your writing with the FAT (toxic backstories), CREAM (the mother story), SALT & VINEGAR & ACID (seeds of transformation), SUGAR (change of heart), and SPICE (unique character quirks).
Specific Benefits for Joining the April Secret Sauce Challenge (free):
A Collection of Writing Tools: Acquire a treasure chest of storytelling principles and specific tools applicable across various writing projects.
Works in Progress: Create new works in progress, including scenes, dialogue, and more, with the opportunity to apply the secret sauce recipe and techniques.
Community Engagement: Practice writing with deadlines, share your work, and interact with a community of like-minded creatives in the comments.
Additional Perks for Paid Subscribers ($8/$79):
Personalized Feedback: Receive written supportive feedback from the challenge host on your storytelling efforts. Just reply to an email during the challenge with REQUEST FEEDBACK in the subject line. I’ll write back and give compliments, ask questions, and offer suggestions.
Exclusive Content and Opportunities: Gain access to additional resources, future challenges, and workshops.
FULL ACCESS Subscriber Benefits ($159):
One-on-One Story Waves Session*: Enjoy a personalized 15-minute session focusing on the opening pages of your script or manuscript. The session will offer direct feedback to improve your writing.
Chance to Win a Comprehensive Story Session*: Participate in a drawing for a detailed, one-hour story consultation, providing an in-depth review of your story outline, full script, or manuscript. For Full Access subscribers who post in all of the four weeks’ challenges.
· *Please see my genre preferences on the About page
By focusing on these screenplay elements, participants will not only refine their storytelling skills but also enhance their ability to create scripts that are compelling, visually engaging, and ripe for the silver screen.
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Kelly Keough is a genius! Not only does she take the time to ensure that every writer gets an adequate amount of notes that successfully sets them up for the next draft, but she also uses her industry expertise to bring every script to the next level. I couldn’t recommend her workshops more. ~Zach B.
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Kelly Keough is an incredible teacher and writer whose skill and wisdom can only be matched by her compassion and encouraging nature. I was lucky enough to have her as my professor in college and the way that I approach my writing has been forever changed by her teaching. As you can tell from her workshops and videos, she is concise and clear, accomplished and knowledgeable, and most importantly eager to help you succeed and find your voice. ~Emma M.
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Happy writing,
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