Powerful Premise

Writing the Irresistible (Red Sneaker Writers Book Series, Volume 6)

By: William Bernhardt

Narrated by: William Bernhardt

Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Why do some books attract readers while others don't? What are the essential qualities of an irresistible read, a story people can't wait to start? And what's the secret to attracting a literary agent or publishing deal? The answer to all three questions is: Premise. A powerful premise is what separates ordinary novels from best sellers. William Bernhardt explains the essential elements of breakout books, stories that reel in readers and attract serious attention. He discusses all the essential elements: originality, high stakes, believability, inescapable conflict, emotional appeal, and others. Plus, in the final chapter, Bernhardt explains how to turn your powerful premise into a winning pitch to attract agents and editors.

©2015 William Bernhardt Writing Programs, Inc. (P)2015 Babylon Books

You cannot do without this one

I love the series. I am so happy I found this author's series of books. Not a bunch of filler stuff, just concise facts that get the job done in a memorable engaging way.

beyond premise

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It helps authors to package their work.

What did you like best about this story?

It goes beyond premise. The information provided about editors and publishers is a welcomed bonus.

Any additional comments?

Buy the series.

Aspiring Writers: You Need This Entire Series

Another homerun in the Red Sneaker series. These books are short, fast, and direct, with all of the extraneous bells and whistles left out. They're instantly applicable and generally take less than 3 hours to read. The end-chapter exercises are as invaluable as the information.

I still hate this guy....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yet another mind blowing experience from Wm Bernhardt's Red Sneaker Series. Over the past 2 years I've read about, no joke thirty books on writing. Most of them good solid books advising young, (scratch that) fledgling writers. In February of this year I started reading The RSS, Red Sneaker Series. Bernhardt gives me that little tap on the Bell (pun intended) that starts to make sense. Every one of the RSS, is a smack in the gut to my writing. I stop for a few day catch my writers breath, then delete a few thousand words, rewrite, tightening up my plot, dialogue, structure, style, character, and now premise. I got to tell you when I wake up from dead sleep and say out loud. "There's more to premise than just a theme." Yeah, this guys good... real good.

What other book might you compare Powerful Premise to and why?

Fiction Attack, by James Scott Bell, another good solid writer with an intuitive understanding of story. Creator of the LOCK method of writing which has become the engine of a lot of modern fiction.

Which character – as performed by William Bernhardt – was your favorite?

Himself...

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Premise is more than just theme

Any additional comments?

Buy the books... you'll thank yourself once you do.

This is awesome writing advice

Quick and to the point, Bernhardt reads his own work in an engaging manner without any pretentiousness. The individual topics covered are essential for novelists and he has no problem with telling the listener how to write genre fiction that could be a powerful read as well as possibly commercially successful.

I not only want the rest of the books in this series, I also want them all as ebooks in order to highlight passages and have the written exercises in front of me.

This will be a reread every time I start a new novel or any other work of fiction.

solid information

I enjoyed the content and the performance. The has the experience and this audiobook was informative and inspiring.

POWERFUL PREMISE

If you’re thinking about becoming a writer and have no formal education in the matter, or just need a different prospective, William Bernhardt’s series (I’ve read 4 so far) is a definite must. In layman’s terms, he captures the necessary ingredients in writing all genres on page to make you a much better writer. And yes, he responded with digital copies of your purchased Red Sneaker books to take full advantage of his visual learning tools.

Succinct and to the point

When reading craft books I want information, not pontification; this book meets my needs. It tells me what to do, how to do it and why I need to do it. As a result, I’ve bought all the author’s books and am extremely satisfied.

Really? The Premise is the anchor to the story?

The other reviews talk about marketing and packaging and what most of the reviewers report is spot on.
The value in knowing how to create a premise is that those few, but difficult, words create boundaries the writer can use to keep the story on track even if it goes in a different, delightful direction- if the "direction" still supports the Premise! The story will not wander if you keep the Premise in front of you, the writer, even in the first draft. If you're writing solely for your own enjoyment, then this book may not be for you. If you're writing for the enjoyment of the readers, this and the series of Red Sneaker Series, has extraordinary "gems".

Helpful and to the point

Enjoyed it! I'm a beginning writer. This was very helpful and to-the-point. I was hesitant to purchase another book from this author bc I felt he sounded a bit snarky in my other purchase. Glad I did! Will definitely be getting the whole Red Sneaker series.