Summary

Every author must develop a compelling Big Idea for their novel to captivate readers and sustain their interest throughout the book.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the importance of a Big Idea in writing a novel, which acts as the central hook for readers. It suggests that authors should be genuinely excited about their idea, eager to develop it, and confident in its originality. The Big Idea should be concise enough to be summarized in one compelling sentence and must contain a core conflict that drives the narrative. To ensure the idea is engaging, authors are advised to share it with trusted individuals for feedback. The article also acknowledges that while complete originality is elusive, a fresh perspective on familiar themes can make a story stand out.

Opinions

The Big Idea is crucial for a novel's success, serving as the initial attraction for potential readers.
A story's uniqueness lies not in complete originality but in presenting familiar concepts with a new twist.
Authors should be passionate about their Big Idea, as this enthusiasm can fuel the writing process and resonate with readers.
The central conflict of a story is vital, as it propels the plot and keeps readers invested in the characters' journeys.
Testing the Big Idea with beta readers or a writing group is an effective way to gauge its potential impact on an audience.
The ability to succinctly summarize the Big Idea in one sentence is a valuable skill for pitching to agents and publishers.
Personal satisfaction with the Big Idea is essential; if the author isn't captivated, it's unlikely the readers will be.

Why Every Author Needs 1 Big Idea

And how to test it with readers.

“Big ideas are little ideas that no-one killed too soon.” ~ Seth Godin

Every novel starts with one Big Idea.

It’s the hook that snags the reader once they pluck your book from the shelf, or click on the cover on Amazon. It’s the sweet little crumb that brings them back for the whole cake.

One irresistible premise. One star at the centre of your narrative solar system.

But how do you know if your Big Idea has legs? How can you be sure you’ll like it enough to finish bringing it to life, never mind have your readers pay to crack open its pages?

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Ask yourself these three questions when mulling over your book’s premise:

1. Does the idea excite you? Does it get your pulse racing, your mind buzzing, your lips flapping as you enthusiastically share it with others? Does the thought of seeing it come to life keep you up at night? Are you able to not think about it?

2. Do you relish the thought of filling in the gaps? No story arrives with an author fully-realised, no matter what they say afterwards. There are holes in every plot that need to be plugged, characters who need fleshing out. Can you think of your novel as an unfinished painting without worrying you’re not the one to complete it?

3. Are you reasonably confident it hasn’t already been done in exactly the same way? You know the proverb: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Your premise will almost certainly contain elements of other Big Ideas you’ve previously ingested, regardless of how unique you believe it is. You’re not asking if it’s completely unique, though — you’re asking if it’s unique enough.

If you can answer these three initial questions with a resounding yes, then you’re ready to start bringing your idea to life. Let’s look at how.

Conflict is key

Conflict is right at the heart of every story. It’s what keeps the reader engaged and propels the narrative forward. If there’s no conflict, there’s no reason for the characters to take a single step in any direction.

What exactly is the central conflict in your story? What problems does the protagonist have to overcome? More importantly, what happens if they fail? Does someone they love die? Does the world end?

If it matters enough to your main character to force them into transformative action, it’ll matter enough to your reader to keep them on board.

Put a fresh spin on it

We’ve already established that no story is one hundred percent original, so how do you make it sound fresh enough to catch the reader’s eye?

Consider comparative texts in your chosen genre. What sets your particular story apart from them? What fresh, intriguing perspective can you bring to the fold? What will your characters encounter that characters from other books haven’t already?

I repeat, your story doesn’t have to (and won’t) be entirely original — it just has to sound original enough to draw readers in, and keep them there for the long haul.

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Short and sweet

Can you sum your Big Idea up in one sentence and still make it sound compelling? If you can’t, it may not be ready just yet.

Here’s an easy exercise: pick a favourite movie and try summarising it in one sentence, or just a few words if you can. Make it sound as enthralling as you can. Now, apply the same technique to your own story. Refine it over and over until it’s whittled down into a short, snappy sentence.

Trust me, if you plan on selling it to a literary agent or publisher someday, this is a skill you need to nurture.

Take it for a test drive

Now for the scary part.

You’ve nailed your Big Idea. You’ve narrowed it down to a single, compelling sentence. Your hook’s shined up and ready for dangling, so get it in the water.

Share your premise with a few trusted people, like your beta readers or a small writing group. You can even tell family and friends (although many authors are reluctant to do that). How do you know if it’s landed? Just analyse their reactions. Is it grabbing them? Do they want to know more?

Personally, I know when one of my ideas is gold based on my wife’s response to the hook (her poker face is terrible). If she likes it, she’ll let me know immediately and I’m good to go; if she’s not sure about it, I know it’s not ready yet.

The Big Idea for your novel is critical

It has to be good enough not just for your future readers, but for you as the writer. If it doesn’t grab you, excite you, even move you, maybe it’s not the right story to tell right now. And that’s ok — add it to your list and revisit it in future.

What are your thoughts? How do you know (personally) when you’ve hit on an idea with real legs? How do you go about testing it?

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