The Difference Between An Idea, A Concept, And A Premise

An idea is to travel to Florida.
A concept is to travel by car and stop at all the national parks along the way.
A premise is to take your estranged father with you and mend fences while on the road.

This is taken directly from the pages of Larry Brooks’, Story Engineering. I love the simplicity of this. It’s easy to remember and so useful.

I often come up with concepts or ideas, and think I’ve got a story, but I don’t without a premise!

The secret sauce to a Premise, is Character.

The inclusion of an estranged father is intriguing, posing questions which need answers. Mending fences is a just detail which could be anything to spice up the journey and cause further conflicts.

Watch Fiction Being Written Below!

(Yes, being an author is as exciting as it appears in the movies!)

1. Write & Edit

2. Format with

3. Publish with

An idea is to travel to Florida. A concept is to travel by car and stop at all the national parks along the way. A premise is to take your estranged father with you and mend fences while on the road.

1. Write & Edit

2. Format with

3. Publish with

An idea is to travel to Florida.
A concept is to travel by car and stop at all the national parks along the way.
A premise is to take your estranged father with you and mend fences while on the road.