Supernatural Element: 5 Ways to Improve Story Premise

Daisie Team -

Contents

1. Incorporate Supernatural Elements

2. Create Believable Worlds

3. Develop Interesting Characters

4. Weave in Conflict and Tension

5. Maintain a Strong Theme

For an unforgettable read, consider a story premise that most clearly contains a supernatural element. It's a powerful way to add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement. But how can you do it effectively? Let's explore five key ways to improve your story premise with a supernatural element.

1. Incorporate Supernatural Elements

Adding supernatural elements is your first step to making your story premise intriguing and magical. It's a big topic, so we'll break it down into three main parts: mythological creatures, magic and spells, and supernatural powers.

Use of Mythological Creatures

Mythological creatures can make any story premise more captivating. Think about the dragons in "Harry Potter" or the elves in "Lord of the Rings". You don't have to stick to the classics, either. Create your own creatures! Just remember to make them believable and integral to your plot. This way, your story premise will clearly contain a supernatural element that stands out.

Adding Magic and Spells

Ever wished you could cast a spell to solve a problem? Your characters can! Magic and spells add a dash of excitement and unpredictability. They can be a part of your character's abilities or exist independently in the world you're creating. Consider the effects and limits of magic in your story - it can't solve everything!

Inclusion of Supernatural Powers

If mythological creatures or magic aren't your cup of tea, maybe your characters could have supernatural powers. Super strength, telepathy, invisibility — the sky's the limit. However, these powers should serve a purpose in the story, not just be a cool add-on. How do these powers affect your character's life? How do they deal with these powers? These questions will ensure your story premise not only contains a supernatural element, but uses it effectively.

2. Create Believable Worlds

Now that you've got your supernatural elements, it's time to ground them in a world that feels as real as ours. Adding a supernatural twist to your story doesn't mean you can ignore the rules of world-building. In fact, it means you might have a little extra work to do!

Establishing Rules for Supernatural Elements

Whether it's magic, mythical creatures, or superhuman powers, every supernatural element needs rules. These rules tell your readers what's possible in your world and what's not. If your characters can time travel, when and how can they do it? Can everyone in your world see ghosts, or only certain people? Clear, consistent rules make your supernatural elements more believable and less confusing. So, when it comes to which story premise most clearly contains a supernatural element, it's not just about the element itself, but also how it's managed.

Building Realistic Settings

A story's setting is more than just a backdrop. It's the world in which your characters live and interact, and it can make or break your readers' suspension of disbelief. Even if your story is set in a fantastical land filled with magic, it needs to feel real. This means thinking about everything from geography and climate to culture and history. The more details you include, the more invested your readers will be.

Designing a Supernatural Society

Does your story take place in a society where supernatural elements are the norm? If so, you'll need to think about how these elements have shaped your society's laws, traditions, and everyday life. Perhaps there's a government agency tasked with controlling magic, or maybe there are social norms about when and where it's appropriate to use superhuman powers. Whatever the case, a well-designed supernatural society will make your story premise with a supernatural element more compelling and unique.

3. Develop Interesting Characters

Characters are the heartbeat of any story. They drive the plot, engage the reader's emotions, and bring the world you've created to life. When your story premise includes a supernatural element, your characters can be the key to making it stand out.

Character with Supernatural Abilities

Characters with supernatural abilities offer endless possibilities for conflict, growth, and discovery. When developing such a character, consider how their abilities affect their personality, values, and relationships. For instance, a character who can read minds might struggle with trust, or one with the ability to see the future could grapple with the concept of free will. Remember, their supernatural ability doesn't define them, it's just one part of who they are.

Character with Human Vulnerabilities

Even if your character has supernatural powers, they should still have human vulnerabilities. These flaws make your characters relatable and give them room to grow. They also add tension and conflict to your story. For example, a character could be physically invincible but emotionally fragile. Or they might have magical powers that they don't know how to control. These vulnerabilities can make even the most powerful characters feel human.

Character Interaction with Supernatural

Last but not least, consider how your characters interact with the supernatural elements of your world. Are they awed? Terrified? Skeptical? Their reactions can reveal a lot about their beliefs, attitudes, and past experiences. Plus, these interactions can lead to some of the most compelling moments in your story. For instance, how would a character respond if they discovered their best friend was a ghost? Or if they were suddenly thrust into a hidden world of magic? It's these reactions that can help decide which story premise most clearly contains a supernatural element.

4. Weave in Conflict and Tension

Conflict and tension are the lifeblood of any compelling story, and in a narrative with supernatural elements, they take on a whole new dimension. Let's delve into how you can weave these crucial components into your supernatural story premise.

The supernatural elements in your story are a goldmine for conflict. They can create internal struggles for your characters, spark disputes among them, or even pit them against the supernatural world itself. For example, a character might have to choose between using their powers for good or evil, or they could find themselves in a feud with a vengeful spirit. By incorporating these conflicts, you can intensify the drama and bring the supernatural aspects of your story to the forefront.

Tension Among Characters

When supernatural elements are involved, even ordinary interactions can become tense. Characters might clash over beliefs, secrets, or power dynamics related to the supernatural. An immortal character might struggle to form relationships with humans who age and die. Or a character might have to hide their true nature from those they love. These tensions can add depth to your characters and their relationships, making your story more engaging.

Conflict with Supernatural Society

Finally, conflicts with a supernatural society can be a key driver in your plot. Maybe your character is rebelling against the rules of a magical council, or perhaps they're an outsider in a supernatural community. These conflicts can illuminate the differences between the human and supernatural worlds, and they can force your characters to question their place in both. This, in turn, can make your story premise more layered and thought-provoking, answering the question of which story premise most clearly contains a supernatural element.

5. Maintain a Strong Theme

Every great story has a strong, unifying theme, and when it comes to supernatural narratives, this principle is no different. A clear and cohesive theme can guide your storytelling and give your work a deeper meaning. Here's how you can ensure your theme remains strong throughout your supernatural story.

Theme Intertwined with Supernatural Elements

Firstly, make sure your theme is intertwined with your supernatural elements. That means, if your theme is about finding one's identity, perhaps your character discovers his identity through the very supernatural powers he possesses. Or, if your theme is about love transcending boundaries, show a human and a ghost falling in love. By aligning your theme with your supernatural elements, you can create a more cohesive and impactful narrative.

Theme That Resonates with Readers

Secondly, choose a theme that resonates with your readers. For example, a theme of overcoming fear can be very inspiring in a story about battling supernatural creatures. Similarly, a theme of acceptance can be beautifully portrayed in a narrative about coming to terms with one's supernatural powers. By choosing a theme that your readers can relate to, you can make your story more engaging and emotionally resonant.

Theme Consistent across the Story

Lastly, ensure your theme remains consistent throughout your story. It should be a thread that runs from the beginning to the end, tying everything together. Every character, every event, and every supernatural occurrence should, in some way, reflect or contribute to your theme. This will not only provide cohesion to your narrative but also make it easier for the readers to understand which story premise most clearly contains a supernatural element.

If you're looking to enhance your storytelling skills and further develop the supernatural element in your stories, check out Mirelle Ortega's workshop, 'Storytelling In Illustration'. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and techniques to bring your story premise to life and captivate your audience through compelling illustrations.