writing excercises – Page 8

How to write a premise for your story

Published on April 18, 2015April 18, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

P = Premise

Writing a Premise vs Concept

The premise and the concept, are not the same.

A premise is the essence of a story that unfolds based on the concept.

A concept is a story organized around a main idea or theme.

In fiction, a premise contains three things:

the protagonist – an event provokes the protagonist to act (not react)
the setting – where the protagonist acts on some desire with purposeful intention
the problem the protagonist faces – chaos and adventure leads to resolution

A premise identifies the need and proposes a solution for the hero and implied plot . A high conceptual theme can empower the story.

The premise is a general description (foundation) of the story you plan to tell. With a premise you shape an idea into a story with a two or three sentence statement, similar to a log-line.

A premise acts a guide for the writer, helping when you get stuck, and keeping you on the path to the heart of your story. It doesn’t have to be fancy or jaw dropping but a good premise is a lifeline for the writer keeping you grounded and on track.

The premise of my short serial.

A female Texas Ranger is working in the San Antonio office. She feels the need to prove herself as capable as any of the men as she sets out to find the hacker that held her computer for ransom. Leading her on a chase across the state of Texas to catch her man.

What do you think?

For info on writing a premise check out the links below:

http://www.writermag.com/2013/09/01/how-to-structure-a-premise-for-stronger-stories/

http://www.wheresthedrama.com/loglinespremises.htm

http://www.mybooktherapy.com/articles/how-to-get-published-articles/step-6-build-your-premise/

http://www.ceauthors.com/premise.htm

http://www.storyispromise.com/wpremise.htm

http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/story-premise.html

Writing a Better Hook

Published on April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Writing a good hook is not as easy as it may sound.

Every writer wants to grab the reader by the neck and squeeze.

I’m bad to read the first couple of pages and if I’m not hooked stop reading.

So it stands to reason, that first page or even that first paragraph is the most important part of the story.

Without a good hook, the reader moves on to another book.

H is for Hook

Want to write a great hook?

Keep reading…

Larry Brooks at the Storyfix explains how a writer should reach for a better hook.

Over at WritetoDone is a good article on writing a hook using visualization.

Write it Sideways gives 6 Ways to Hook Your Reader.

A few books that had me from page one…

Delirium (Delirium Series Book 1) [Kindle Edition] by Lauren Oliver,

Wool Omnibus Edition (Wool 1 – 5) (Silo series) [Kindle Edition] by Hugh Howey

The Memory Box [Kindle Edition] by Eva Lesko Natiello,

Outlander: A Novel (Outlander, Book 1) [Kindle Edition] by Diana Gabaldon

Share your favorite reads that grabbed you from the first page, or maybe a book that hooked you but didn’t live up to the promise.

Smelled Like Death and Cheap Perfume

Published on March 10, 2015April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

The scent was overpowering, smelled like death and cheap perfume. I stepped over books and clothes, careful not to fall. Candy wrappers and trash littered corners. A pizza box teetered on top of the dresser.

I set down the Pinesol, snapped open the large plastic garbage bag, slipped on a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves, and wished I’d brought a gas mask. Piece by piece I dropped everything into the trash bag.

Exhausted, but relieved glad I’d found nothing dead or squeaking.

“Mom, what’ve you done?”

“Cleaned your room.”

“But my stuff… .”

“Gone,” I said and left my daughter, stunned, standing in her empty bedroom.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#170

the prompt this week and it is :

…the scent was overpowering…

Can you write a kiss?

Published on February 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Romance writing is not my genre.

However, it’s good to step out of our comfort zone and stretch those writing muscles every now and then. After reading A Writer’s Path today I decided to try my hand at writing a kissing scene.

How would you write a kiss?

It’s not as easy as I thought. In fact I revised the tiny little piece below several times. I’d be embarrassed to give you the number.

Welcome Home

I watch, listen and wait. Outside, gravel crunches under tires, the car door slams, and his boots echo against the walk. My heart synchronizing with the pounding of his steps.

The door opens and I’m wrapped in his warm embrace. Nose to nose, heart to heart, I bask in his love. Our lips meet, and his kiss feeds my soul. At last, I can breathe. My joy, my life is home.

Thanks Ryan for the inspiration and the tips .

Get additional inspiration over at GalleyCat . Find tips from 20 Authors.

I hope you will have a bit of fun and give it a try.

Post your kissing, love scene, in the comments or leave us a link to your blog.