Joe Nassise’s PREMISE

To write faster, cleaner, establish the premise for yourself from the very beginning. Most writers don’t know what their book is about. This is the emotional part of the book, NOT the plot. You need to know what the underlying idea is. Then, once you have the idea, determine how to use it to produce a premise. You achieve this by asking and answering the following questions which sets up the problem, creates empathy, provides emotional motivation, and establishes the stakes.

Who’s the hero?

What’s the problem?

What is in opposition to the hero?

What’s at stake if they fail?

The answers to these questions create your premise. The premise is your compass. It guides you to the end, keeping you on track.

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