How to Test Your Premise Before You Write
You know that rush of energy that hits when a shiny new story idea lands in your brain? It’s exciting. It’s urgent. It demands attention right now. And sometimes, it is a great idea—but sometimes, that initial spark fizzles out halfway through chapter three because… well, it didn’t quite have enough to stand on.
That’s where testing your premise comes in.
Before you spend months writing and revising (and possibly reworking the whole plot in draft four), it’s worth taking an hour or two to pressure-test your idea. Not to kill your creativity—but to strengthen it. Think of it like stress-testing a bridge before you drive across it.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Define Your Premise in One Sentence
Your premise isn’t just “girl finds out she’s magical.” That’s a trope. Your premise is the unique situation, character, and conflict that make your story worth reading.
Try this formula:
[Protagonist] must [do something] in order to [goal], but [conflict/obstacle].
Examples:
A jaded wedding planner must fake-date a rival to win a client, but their staged romance starts to feel real.
A young thief steals a cursed relic and must survive a deadly trial to break its grip before it consumes her.
A lonely scientist discovers how to talk to animals—but the animals want nothing to do with her.
If you can’t sum up your story in one sentence with a character, goal, and conflict, pause and figure out what’s missing.
Step 2: Ask “What’s at Stake?”
Every good story has something at risk—emotional, physical, or relational.
Ask yourself:
What happens if the character fails?
Why this goal, right now?
Who else is affected?
High stakes don’t have to mean saving the world. But they do need to matter deeply to your character. If the stakes feel flat, your premise may need more tension or urgency.
Step 3: Identify the Character Arc
A solid premise hints at a solid transformation.
What flaw or wound does your main character start with?
How will this journey challenge or change them?
What do they believe at the start—and what will they believe by the end?
No arc = no emotional hook. Even in plot-heavy stories, the why it matters always comes back to the character.
Step 4: Test for Conflict & Momentum
Great stories move. So ask:
What’s going to stand in your protagonist’s way?
Are there enough twists, turns, or complications to sustain a full plot?
Does your idea lend itself to escalation—does it grow more intense as it goes?
If your idea feels like one scene stretched over 80K words, try introducing an antagonist, adding a ticking clock, or layering in competing goals.
Step 5: Ask Yourself: Is This My Story?
Not every idea is a match for your current headspace, passions, or voice. Sometimes the premise is solid, but you’re not the right person to write it—or not right now.
Ask:
Does this excite me beyond the shiny idea phase?
Can I imagine spending 6 months (or more) with these characters?
Do I care enough to see it through the boring middle?
Your enthusiasm matters. If the answer’s no, that doesn’t mean the idea’s bad—just that it might not be the one this time.
Bonus: Try Writing a Mini Pitch or Jacket Copy
This is a fun one—write 2–3 sentences as if your book is already published. What would be on the back cover? What would make someone pick it up?
This not only clarifies your premise, it also helps you start thinking like a marketer—which is a handy mindset for later.
Final Thoughts
Testing your premise doesn’t have to kill your momentum—it can build it. By making sure your idea has character depth, stakes, and a strong arc, you’ll walk into your outline (and first draft) with confidence and direction.
Think of it like stretching before a marathon. You’re just warming up your story muscles—so when it’s time to run, you’re ready.
Want more help? Check out our Storyteller’s Weekly Planner! 💛
