Jeff Lyons - Anatomy of a Premise Line: How to Master Premise and Story Development for Writing Success

If a story is going to fail, it will do so first at the premise level. Anatomy of a Premise Line: How to Master Premise and Story Development for Writing Success is the only book of its kind to identify a 7-step development process that can be repeated and applied to any story idea. This process will save you time, money, and potentially months of wasted writing. Whether you are trying to write feature screenplay, a novel, develop a television pilot, or just trying to figure out your next story move as a writer, this book gives you the tools you need to know which ideas are worth pursuing. In addition to the 7-step premise development tool, Anatomy of a Premise Line also presents a premise and idea testing methodology that can be used to test any developed premise line. Customized exercises and worksheets are included to facilitate knowledge transfer, so that by the end of the book, you will have a fully developed premise line, log line, tagline, and a completed premise-testing checklist.

Here is some of what you will learn inside:

• Ways to determine whether or not your story is a good fit for print or screen
• Case studies and hands-on worksheets to help you learn by participating in the process
• Tips on how to effectively work through writers block
• A companion website (www.focalpress.com/cw/lyons ) with additional worksheets, videos, and interactive tools to help you learn the basics of perfecting a killer premise line

Jeff Lyons is a working writer, story editor, script and book doctor, and has worked in the film, television, and publishing industries for more than two decades, helping thousands of screenwriters and novelists tell better stories. He is an instructor through Stanford Universitys Online Writers Studio, and is a regular guest lecturer through the UCLA Extension Writers Program. Jeffs writings on the craft of storytelling can be found in leading industry trade magazines such as Writers Digest Magazine, Script Magazine , and The Writer .

Story structure changed my writing life, and the magician who taught it to me was Jeff Lyons. Every writer on the planet needs coffee, chocolate, and this book!

Caroline LeavittNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You

This is a book for which many of us have been waiting, and if you are at all like me, incorporating Jeffs ideas and guidance into your work can make all the difference.

Barnet BainProducer, What Dreams May Come ; Writer/Producer, The Celestine Prophecy

There is no book like this in the marketplace. It will help writers, producers, and directors, and save everyone from wasted time writing drafts to find a story. I wish I had this book when I was in film school.

David JefferyProducer, Bones; American Family; Lesson Plan

Working with Jeff reminds me of a quote from Michelangelo, I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. Jeffs amazing tools have helped me develop solid premise and log lines, and to chisel my stories free from the stone. This book will help you do the same.

Michael PerriStaff Writer, NBCs State of Affairs

After reading Jeffs terrific book I felt like rushing to my desk, new tools in hand, and fixing all my unsold screenplays. I highly recommend to anyone writing a screenplay or novel.

Nick CastleWriter/Director, Escape From New York, Hook, August Rush, Last Star Fighter, The Boy Who Could Fly, Tap, Dennis the Menace

Before, I used to write myself into a corner, but thanks to Jeff Lyons premise tools now I can see my storys structure from the outside, to see whats working and what could be stronger. This book will help you draw a map through the story forest, rather than getting lost in the trees. Ive used this material with my students with the same beneficial effect as with my own writing. I highly recommend this book.

Malena WatrousAuthor, If You Follow Me ; Head Instructor Stanford University Online Writers Studio