tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post5978281970814761744..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: Which Is Better: Plot-Driven or Character-Driven?Tabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-73857452962663411592011-03-29T17:41:37.862-05:002011-03-29T17:41:37.862-05:00I think the best books have a good balance of both...I think the best books have a good balance of both as well. Character w/ weak plot can be kind of boring and strong plot w/ weak character can be flat.C.R. Evershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034891037873664976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-6815204986098308482011-03-29T12:47:57.048-05:002011-03-29T12:47:57.048-05:00I think I started off as a plot-based writer, only...I think I started off as a plot-based writer, only my plotting sucked :P I'm drawn to characters. If they don't interest me, it doesn't matter what happens in the plot. So I think my writing has evolved that way, too. My plotting has improved (thank goodness!) but my stories are definitely more character driven. Like you said, I think the best stories incorporate both.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-16578508803195883692011-03-29T10:53:52.535-05:002011-03-29T10:53:52.535-05:00My natural focus is to be character-driven, but as...My natural focus is to be character-driven, but as a reader I want a book to have plot. I always strive for a balance between character, plot, and language.Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-62536569180432020172011-03-28T15:30:12.525-05:002011-03-28T15:30:12.525-05:00A blend of both is the best. I do agree with Brian...A blend of both is the best. I do agree with Brian James that high concept/plot is the trend. But one must create a complex, compelling character for that breakneck thrilling plot to truly come alive.Catherine Stinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08131569196977321229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-45168737447792658192011-03-28T15:07:27.689-05:002011-03-28T15:07:27.689-05:00I think both are equally important and have heard ...I think both are equally important and have heard agents/editors say they look for both. You can have both and have a quiet story. You can have both and have an exciting story. They are always essential when writing any story. But, as a YA writer, I think it is especially important. Teens want to relate to the character, feel that emotion-driveness, and they also want outside elements giving the character things to react to.Kathryn Packer Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16506942804607936833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-87762736440853284052011-03-28T14:38:21.573-05:002011-03-28T14:38:21.573-05:00Nancy - it sounds to me like you're exactly on...Nancy - it sounds to me like you're exactly on track! :) If you've got equal parts of both, then it doesn't matter which one it is. You've already got everything you need. :)<br /><br />Kelly - I'm the same. I need a really good plot to keep me interested. Granted, I really love to be deep inside the characters, but I get all giddy when exciting things happen. That's where I naturally gravitate. :)<br /><br />Danyelle - this has happened to me in recent years. I still get more excited over complicated plots, but I also need to be so deep within the character that I forget s/he is fictional. Those are the best reading experiences. :)<br /><br />Girl Friday - ooo, I love that concept! And it's so true. Throwing your characters into the worst possible situation will really bring out the best and the worst in them. When I'm writing a new story, one of my favorite questions to ask myself is "what's the worst possible thing that can happen here?" :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-39073095995784541632011-03-28T14:33:33.482-05:002011-03-28T14:33:33.482-05:00Komal - I think those make the best kinds of stori...Komal - I think those make the best kinds of stories. Strong characters are the most interesting to read, and interesting plots keep the pages turning. :)<br /><br />Brian - I completely agree. My favorite kinds of books are character-driven stories with amazing plots. Movies have a hard time creating stories like that effectively, but I really enjoy it when I find one that works. :)<br /><br />TD - exactly, everything in moderation. Or, balance. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-28973775641263378172011-03-28T14:18:41.127-05:002011-03-28T14:18:41.127-05:00I think plot-driven stories can actually bring out...I think plot-driven stories can actually bring out a character's personality a great deal - after all, we often show our true character when we're in a crisis.Tatum Flynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00074228011847976820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-12342275990988615582011-03-28T12:49:28.109-05:002011-03-28T12:49:28.109-05:00I agree with you. I like stories that have a balan...I agree with you. I like stories that have a balance between both--and that's something I strive for in my writing. That being said, I tend to lean more towards characters than plot. A story can have an awesome plot, but if I don't love or live in the characters' skins, then I don't enjoy it as much.Danyelle L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10366276085080565870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-3986386138526318082011-03-28T12:16:36.002-05:002011-03-28T12:16:36.002-05:00I'm much more plot-driven. I love fast paced b...I'm much more plot-driven. I love fast paced books with lots of actions. Yes, my character and his/her internal struggles come through, but they aren't the driving force. I like to use the plot to show my reader different sides of my characters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-35301598348030976972011-03-28T10:39:16.397-05:002011-03-28T10:39:16.397-05:00Well damn, now I'm even more confused. My ms i...Well damn, now I'm even more confused. My ms is equal parts of both so I can't quite decide which I should call it. Argh! Just when I thought I had it all figured out!Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-83894693641350087062011-03-28T10:05:02.545-05:002011-03-28T10:05:02.545-05:00Komai (love that name btw) has got it right! Get d...Komai (love that name btw) has got it right! Get down withca bad self! LOL<br /><br />Excellent post Tabitha and so good of you to be biased in this situation. Both are ancient techniques that have proven effective for a number of published works (need I list them?). There is no right and wrong - you can choose one or the other for simplicity - but incorporating both will be a marvelous buff to any work.<br /><br />But be warned, if you do decide to meld them, keep it simple. The worst thing a writer can do is lose their reader with all the fancy turns and twists.T.D. McFrosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923335522993845076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-48869557154379777872011-03-28T08:18:37.688-05:002011-03-28T08:18:37.688-05:00Nice discussion. Though I believe a well written c...Nice discussion. Though I believe a well written character driven story can have just as much tension and as many twists as plot driven.<br /><br />My feeling is that plot driven stories have really become the domain of television and cinema. Intense character studies are still the one thing that books can offer that film cannot.Brian Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08547208018232793140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-35686220869951255632011-03-28T07:29:20.006-05:002011-03-28T07:29:20.006-05:00I agree with you about finding the right balance b...I agree with you about finding the right balance between both character and plot. I do an outline of the story - what are thr highs and lows, the twists, the outcomes and challenges etc. However, I also try and ensure that I have a very strong character who has strong beliefs, opinions, thoughts and ideas.Komal Kanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16474781248936280735noreply@blogger.com