[Figure 3] Where am I?

Pairing a character and a plot without a setting rarely makes much sense unless you're creating some sort of abstract metaphorical scenario. Settings don't have to be particularly complex, but at least some indication of space or time is generally required to capture and hold a viewer's attention (see Figure 3).

Character and setting, however, can combine in compelling ways without the need for much in the way of plot progression. Feature films such as The Big Chill and Pixar's CG short, Geri's Game, are character-driven stories (in which the plot is contained within the evolving personalities, actions and relationships of the characters), as opposed to event-driven stories, such as Independence Day and The Cathedral (in which the plots are centered on external events and the characters mainly respond, rather than motivate). Most stories are moved along by both character and event, but one is generally the dominant driving force of the other.

Starting with an Event
A story premise often begins with an event. If this event is particularly remarkable, like an alien spaceship landing in your backyard, the situation will have obvious narrative possibilities. If the event motivates a subsequent incident or a punch line, you have a series of connected events, which qualifies as a plot. And for an event to create a significant degree of narrative potential, it must contain some kind of conflict. "My dog, Butch, ate his dinner last night" is not a very interesting start. However, "Butch ate my dinner last night" creates the expectation of subsequent events, reactions or consequences, which qualifies the scenario as a potentially interesting story premise. One way of determining whether your story premise has possibilities is by presenting it to someone and gauging his or her reaction. Telling a co-worker that Butch ate his own dinner last night will probably not generate much of a response. On the other hand, mentioning that Butch ate your dinner last night will undoubtedly result in a question or two. More than likely, you'll be asked what happened next or how you reacted. This request for additional information is a good indication that your dog story premise has legs.

[Figure 4] Imaginative characters like these should certainly inspire a few story ideas.

Starting with a Character
Perhaps you've designed an interesting main character and would like to build a story around him or her. If this character is particularly unique, such as a giant, invisible, flying tiger shark, an associated story premise can sometimes seem to write itself because your character's goals and desires will likely be rather obvious (see Figure 4). However, many successful stories begin with a more realistic (and perhaps generic or unremarkable) main character, such as your average dog, Butch.

Regardless of whether your character is generic or unique, a simple way of starting to build a story premise around him is to give him a goal—something he either wants or needs, such as food, shelter, money or love. The process by which your character attempts to accomplish this goal must ultimately change his locale, health, personality, possessions, opinion or status through some form of conflict. Conflicts, of course, come in many shapes and sizes. There are external conflicts, such as races to win, villains to defeat, lovers to entice, masters' dinners to eat and banks to rob. There are also internal conflicts, such as difficult decisions to make, character flaws to adjust and fears to overcome. Physical conflicts can be very exciting, such as when the protagonist struggles with success versus failure. Moral conflicts can be equally compelling, when the protagonist constantly considers, "Should I or shouldn't I?"

Another effective method of building a story idea around a character is by asking yourself a few questions about the character. Who is he? Where did he come from? Where is he now? What's his motivation? What does he want or need? Who is his greatest enemy? What is his biggest fear? Why didn't Butch just eat his own stupid dinner? Answering such questions can often lead directly to a story idea. Perhaps your character's heritage can inspire some potential plot points if he comes from an interesting place, such as Neptune's third moon. Perhaps your character wants success, respect, affection, a better job or a bigger house.