In a new blog post, C.S. Lakin explores the crossroads between premise and protagonist. “Your premise and your protagonist go hand in hand,” she says. “A premise is not just a situation; it’s about how your protagonist is going to deal with it.”
It probably goes without saying that your protagonist is likely to be someone who takes action when confronted with a situation. Otherwise, your novel is going to be a tad dull. “She might not be that way at the start of your story, but the inciting incident that occurs early on should spark a need and/or desire to do something about that situation,” Lakin notes. However, your premise is still the most important part of your story. Readers may love your characters but they want to invest in a story.
Taken together, your protagonist must be the right fit for your premise. You’re unlikely to find a non-scientist on a small space station, but if you do, it’s because they’re needed for the plot. “I see so many characters thrust into roles that they are wholly unqualified for,” Lakin writes. “Characters cast as cops or doctors or investigators that have no smarts, no skills, no training…It’s just more believable to have competent characters doing things that require expertise.”
“Your protagonist deals with the situation by pursuing a goal—the plot goal for the story,” Lakin adds. “Your concept with a kicker is the unique, intriguing story you come up with to show your protagonist pursuing that goal amid high stakes and conflict, with a strong theme or moral dilemma at its heart.”
