By: Linda S.
Clare
The words “high concept” are tossed about on the Internet
seas with increasing frequency, but even some seasoned writers scratch their
heads. High concept sounds exciting—and really desirable—until some novel
writers are asked to define it.
Writing Tip for Today: Let’s discuss exactly what High Concept means to
novelists and why we should employ one for our stories:
CONCEPT DEFINED
Most writing gurus talk about story question or premise,
story idea and concept interchangeably. Larry Brooks, in Story Engineering,
defines concept as being different from idea, premise or theme. He gives
the example of a non-story idea as a trip to Florida. To make this idea a concept,
Brooks argues that you would add to travel by car and stop at all the national
parks along the way.
A premise would be to take your estranged
father with you and mend fences while on the road. In Brooks’ words: A concept
is an idea that has been evolved to the point where a story becomes possible. A
concept becomes a platform, a stage, upon which a story may unfold.”
So we can
think of concept as the fancy version of our basic story idea. Robert McKee
(Story) says, “A Premise is rarely a closed statement.” Usually you can state
your concept as a question. What would happen if. . .? And for you “pantsters”
who are organic in your writing approach, Donald Maass says, “A strong premise
can emerge after many drafts.” You don’t have to know your concept at the
outset—but it’s easier if you do.
WHAT’S HIGH
CONCEPT?
. . .
To read the rest of the post, click here:
~*~
If you missed my
latest writing and marketing tweets, here they are again:
- Best Practices for Building Sales | Kobo Writing Life http://ow.ly/yaD3300E5Xt
- 50 Idioms with Single, Double, and Triple http://ow.ly/2epH300E6aH Daily Writing Tips
- A Deadly - and Perfectly Normal - Rookie Trap That Can Cost You Years on the Learning Curve http://ow.ly/IEcH300E6fe
- Character Development Is a Two-Edged Sword | Jami Gold, Paranormal Author http://ow.ly/5Otc300E6oj
- Here’s Where Innovative Publishers Need to Focus | Digital Book World http://ow.ly/UkYG300E90G
- 20+ Social Media Hacks and Tips From the Pros : Social Media Examiner http://ow.ly/u3Zj300Ecsg
- Book Covers See Yellow to Attract Online Shoppers - WSJ http://ow.ly/uA65300EcwT
- High Concept Defined | Linda S. Clare http://ow.ly/1Zbm300EcGp
- How To Prevent Your Computer From Causing Hunchback | Writing And Wellness http://ow.ly/6JHD300EdWc
- Five Ways to Use Dialogue to Spice Up The Middle of Your Novel http://ow.ly/Metb300EfJn
- E. M. Denning - Four Tips To Craft a Killer Novella: Part... http://ow.ly/7cBX300EfMU
- BookMarketingBuzzBlog: How Should Authors Be Coached? http://ow.ly/WcYY300Eo3L
- 50 Best Resources for Indie Authors in 2016 - Part 1 | Author Marketing Experts, Inc. http://ow.ly/dk8U300Eoc2
- Writability: Discussion: Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone http://ow.ly/M0aQ300Eol2
- Author, Jody Hedlund: 6 Things I Tell Myself Once I’m Done Writing a Book http://ow.ly/HVif300Eoxb
- Writing Tips: Outlining For Genre And Literary Fiction With Libbie Hawker | The Creative Penn http://ow.ly/Jx9Z300EoGj
**Here's an Audible clip from THE RUBY BROOCH. I really like this interaction between Kit and Cullen. Click to listen! I love this Audible feature.
No comments:
Post a Comment