Beginning the journey to find the premise of a novel is similar to setting off on a morning run in an unfamiliar city during vacation. Both activities are filled with the promise of discovery and exploration. However, in both cases the fear of the unknown can lurk in the background. What if you get lost, literally or figuratively? What if you aren’t received well? As a runner you may find yourself in an unwelcoming neighborhood. As a writer you may find critics who do not like your work. Just as a runner might encounter unexpected obstacles or detours during a morning run, a writer may face setbacks and revisions while developing a novel’s premise.
But just as the two events share the same emotions and the threat of obstacles, they also involve a balance of adaptation and innovation. Both are journeys of creativity.
When I run in a new city, I pay attention to the routes runners who know the city take. For the first few days, I follow these established routes. During this period I also learn how these routes connect to the city as a whole. Eventually, I branch out and create my own routes. I even find runners following me.
A writer can also begin with familiar narrative structures but then infuse them with unique twists and perspectives. Here are some ideas:
- Base your premise on a fairy tale. Take Cinderella for example. What would happen if she decided that the life she is propelled into isn’t for her? Or what if it turns out to have hidden dangers? Choose your themes and adapt the story to make it your own.
- Choose a narrative that you like, but would have developed differently. Did you foresee the characters behaving differently? Can you imagine them in a differently world? Would you have chosen a different theme?
- Use your own experiences. Think like a writer of soap operas and turn the mundane into drama.
- Pick a theme based on a popular topic, and use it to build your premise.
Both running in unfamiliar cities and developing a promising premise involve perseverance and resilience and a shared journey towards success. Runners and writers must push through challenges and setbacks to reach their goals. Personal growth and transformation occurs through both activities. In the end, it’s the journey itself that shapes and informs both runners and writers.