Lore & LilacWill this idea last a whole novel? Tests to run before you commit
An afternoon of honest testing can tell you whether a spark has a novel's worth of fuel, and where it's thin.
Loading the guide…
Related glossary terms
- PremiseThe core situation of a story in a sentence or two: who it's about, what they want, what stands in the way and what's at risk.
- Dramatic questionThe central yes-or-no question a story raises early and answers at the climax, which keeps the reader reading.
- StakesWhat a character stands to gain or lose depending on whether they succeed, which gives the reader a reason to care about the outcome.
- External conflictA struggle between a character and something outside themselves, such as another person, a group, nature or society.
- Internal conflictA struggle within a character between competing desires, fears, beliefs or loyalties that must be faced for them to change.
- Character arcThe path of inner change a character travels over the story, from what they believe at the start to who they become by the end.