Welcome, Pitch Fest peeps! Today I’m blogging about the elements of a PREMISE as part of Susan May Warren’s MBT Voices Practice Pitch Fest Blog Hop Thingy! 🙂 If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Susie’s Pitch Fest Kick-off here. Then stop by The Writing Road for Beth Vogt’s insight on finding the core of your pitch. And don’t miss Teri Dawn Smith’s take on finding your dramatic irony at the MBT Ponderers. Later, Susie will check back in with some pitching etiquette do’s and don’ts.
I’m going to start out today with a little dose of honesty: Writing my own premise freaked me out.
Yup, I mean, dude, my book is 21 chapters long – about 85,000 words. And I’m supposed to write a little diddy to capture the whole thing in all its splendorific glory? (About now you’re probably wondering about my writing skills in general, huh.)
But I had the distinct privilege of scratching out my premise during Susie’s Pitch and Polish retreat this past May. Her expertise made the whole thing seem a lot less Mission Impossible and a lot more DIY Possible.
So here’s the thing: a premise is just a two- to five-sentence paragraph that keys in on the most important elements of your story. Answering a few questions should help you hone in those key aspects:
-What’s my central character(s)’s noble quest, their goal? What’s at stake?
-What’s my character(s)’s greatest fear? Their greatest dream?
-What’s my theme?
-Where’s my dramatic irony?
-What’s going to catch a reader’s interest?
You may not answer all of these in the premise – for instance, I don’t really touch on my theme in my own premise – but you’ll definitely want to clue us in about your central character(s)’s goal, let us know what’s at stake and leave us with an interest-perking question.
In my story, I have two POV characters, so I needed to find a way to weave both of their journeys into my blurb. I started by asking myself about their goals. My heroine’s goal is to finish her dead author/client’s last great work, a memoir. My hero simply wants to help his brother and save his farm. So I came up with this:
Literary agent Georgia White must give the world the last great manuscript of the late J. Cullaway. Case Matthews would do anything to protect his alcoholic brother and save his family farm.
Obviously, my story wouldn’t be a story without obstacles to those goals! Those obstacles also give me the opportunity to hint at the dramatic irony in my story. You see, Georgia’s actually the only person who can help Case save his farm. But Case knows all the family secrets about J. Cullaway – and those secrets could ruin Georgia’s book, her whole career. So that’s what comes next in my premise:
Georgia has the power to give Case everything he wants, but Case has secrets that could destroy Georgia’s career.
So we know my characters’ goals, and we understand now that those goals aren’t going to be accomplished easily! And we’re left with a couple questions which will, hopefully, whet the appetite of the agent/editor listening to my premise:
How much will Georgia sacrifice to finish Cully’s book? And how far will Case go to defend what he loves?
Put the whole thing together, and I’ve got my premise:
Literary agent Georgia White must give the world the last great manuscript of the late J. Cullaway. Case Matthews would do anything to protect his alcoholic brother and save his family farm. Georgia has the power to give Case everything he wants, but Case has secrets that could destroy Georgia’s career. How much will Georgia sacrifice to finish Cully’s book? And how far will Case go to defend what he loves?
Ending your premise with a question is a great way leave the listener wishing for more. Make sure to plug in strong words and phrases with lots of flavor. Another hint: pick out five or six of your favorite books and read their back cover blurbs. It’ll get your brain moving in story snapshot mode.
So there you have it…here’s hoping the Premise Monster seem a little more tame-able now. But wait, there’s more. Monday night at the regular Voices Chat, the fun culminates with our “Batter Up for ACFW Pitch Fest.” Bring your pitches and your premises and let’s get ready to wow those agents and editors.
In the meantime, any questions about writing a premise? If so, leave me a comment and if I don’t know the answer myself, I’ll consult with someone who does! 🙂
Comments 7
Melissa, if I love reading your book, which I know is gonna be published, half as much as I love reading your blog, it’s going to be a delightful read!
Thanks for taking us through the process step by step, Melissa. I can’t wait to read your book! And to keep cheering for your successes.
Thank you, ladies! And oooh, I can’t wait to read your books, too. I want to read about that “wrong kiss,” Beth, and your biker chick, Teri! I think one of the most fun things about this pitch fest has been seeing how much we’ve learned from Susie…if you would’ve asked me at this point last year to write a pitch or premise, I think I might’ve cried…:)
These posts are just fabulous! And Brilliant!! Great job, M-Tagg!
Thanks, Susie! Don’t know if I can speak for the others, but I know for sure I wouldn’t have had the first clue of what to say about a premise without your teaching. Not schmoozing here, it’s totally the truth.
Ahhh, so excited for ACFW!!
Thanks for making something so complicated (the premise) look so simple and manageable. Your example breaks down the necessary components and really helps me identify my premise. I feel connected when I “hang” out with you and the MBT team of writing junkies. Thanks for improving my writing.
Great, I’m so glad it was helpful, Michelle! I, too, love “hanging out” with all the MBT-ers. And I’m excited to hang out in person at the ACFW…will you be there too?