WHY YOUR NOVEL PREMISE ISN'T WORKING (And How to Fix It)

If you're skipping the part where you nail down your premise, you're already MANY steps behind...

Did you know that a strong premise and hook aren’t just marketing tools? Sure, they’ll help with positioning and selling your story, but they’re also the foundation of a novel that grabs the attention of literary agents, editors, and readers alike. Without clarity and impact in these early story elements, your manuscript risks being overlooked, no matter how well you write. Getting your premise right saves time and frustration in the long run and makes your story more compelling from the first page.

Common Premise Pitfalls

Many writers struggle to articulate a premise that truly connects. Here are the most common stumbling blocks:

Vague or unclear ideas: When your story feels scattered or confusing, agents and readers won’t understand what your novel is about or, most important, why it matters.

Unclear Stakes: If the consequences for your protagonist aren’t obvious, readers won’t feel the urgency or tension that drives a narrative forward.

Generic Concepts: When your premise sounds like every other book, it won’t stand out in a crowded market. Without a unique twist, character motivation, or setting, your story risks blending in.

How to Write a Clear Novel Premise That Hooks Readers

A strong premise clarifies exactly who your protagonist is, what they want, and what’s standing in their way. It also communicates what makes your story unique.

• High stakes build tension: Readers want to know what’s on the line and why they should care. Your stakes should be obvious and urgent.

• Character-driven premises make stories relatable: Your protagonist’s journey should be the heart of the premise, and it should fe

  el purposeful and motivated.

• Uniqueness sets your story apart: Whether it’s a fresh twist on a trope, an unusual setting, or a distinctive narrative voice, make sure your premise signals what makes your story different.

The Speculative Element Trap (and tips to avoid it!)

One mistake I often see—especially in genres like speculative fiction, magical realism, or horror—is using an unusual or imaginative element to mask a weak premise.

For example, a story might feature time travel, an alternate dimension, or a surreal twist, but if the core conflict isn’t strong, those elements can feel like window dressing. Readers may be intrigued for a chapter or two, but without compelling stakes and clear character motivation, they’ll see through the gimmick and quickly get bored.

Three speculative fiction tips to avoid the trap:

1. Strip away the speculative layer and check if the premise still works. If the time travel, ghost, or magical object disappeared, would the story still have a solid conflict and emotional stakes?

2. Tie the speculative element directly to the protagonist’s arc. It should force decisions, create obstacles, or reveal truths—not just add “cool factor.”

3. Use it to raise stakes, not replace them. The reader should care because of what’s at risk for the characters, not just because something unusual is happening.

Writing Exercise to Strengthen Your Story Premise and Hook

Focus on Initial Want vs. True Need

A strong premise often hinges on a protagonist whose external goal (what they want) is in direct tension with their deeper emotional or psychological need. Weak premises sometimes occur when a story focuses entirely on the surface want without uncovering the need that truly drives transformation. So, let's break down the steps to improve this in your own premise...

Step 1: Identify the Initial Want

Ask yourself: At the very start of the story, what does my protagonist believe will solve their problem or make them happy?

• This should be tangible or at least clearly definable (e.g., "win the court case," "find the missing sister," "get the promotion").

  
  

Step 2: Identify the True Need

Ask yourself: What is the underlying truth they must accept, lesson they must learn, or change they must undergo for their arc to feel complete?

• This should be internal, often tied to emotional growth or a shift in worldview (e.g., "accept that justice is imperfect," "learn to trust others," "realize that self-worth isn’t tied to achievement").

Step 3: Write the Conflict Sentence

Combine them into one sentence that shows the friction between want and need:

• "[Protagonist] wants [Initial Want], but must [True Need] in order to truly succeed."

Step 4: Check the Premise Impact

Does your premise create inherent conflict between want and need?

• If yes, you likely have a more dynamic hook.

• If no, consider whether the stakes, theme, or character arc need more tension.

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Ready to take action?

Subscribe to my newsletter for more tips and freebies delivered directly to your inbox! For more hands-on guidance, keep an eye out for the Premise & Hook Builder Workbook—designed to walk you through these exercises and build confidence in your story’s foundation. Coming soon!