![]() ![]() Many readers love character-driven stories because the author tends to put a premium on developing realistic, flawed, and human characters. In a character-driven story, the plot is used to develop the character. The plot in a character-driven story is usually simple and often hyper-focused on the internal or interpersonal struggle of the character(s). When you zoom into the internal conflicts, you tend to focus less on the external conflicts. Whereas plot-driven stories focus on a set of choices that a character must make, a character-driven story focuses on how the character arrives at a particular choice. Character-driven stories can deal with inner transformation or the relationships between the characters. The Hallmarks of a Character-Driven StoryĪ character-driven story is focused on studying the characters that make up your story. ![]() In other words, your characters should own and control their actions within the world that you create. To be successful, your characters should be memorable, dimensional, and distinct from each other. Image Courtesy of Amazon What is a Character?Ī character is the individual you use to tell your story.Įvery novel has at least one character, even if that character is the reader (as is the case in a second person point of view). The story is imaginative and relies on the choices that the characters make to move the story forward. Butler, a haunting time-travel slave narrative. As a result, character development is secondary to plot development.Īn excellent example of a plot-driven story is Kindred by Octavia E. In your story, you force your characters to make quick decisions that move the plot forwards. You naturally focus on ideas instead of people and their motivations. They compel the reader to turn the page to find out how the characters will escape, evade, prevail, or overcome.Īs an author of a plot-driven story, you have to meticulously tie together plot points to create a cohesive story. Plot-driven stories are often exciting and fast-paced. When you focus on plot, you focus on events. So, a very basic definition of plot is a sequence of events that are connected by cause and effect. The time-sequence is preserved, but the sense of causality overshadows it.” ‘The king died, and then the queen died of grief,’ is a plot. He says: "'The king died and then the queen died,' is a story. ![]() Forster, in his book Aspects of the Novel. One of my favorite ways to think of plot comes courtesy of E. No matter how you approach storytelling, remember this: your story needs both character and plot.īelow, I’d like to share a few thoughts I’ve learned along the way to help you whether you love writing unforgettable characters or structuring exciting plots. Far be it for me to disagree with the esteemed Aristotle, but I will whisper this: even an awesome plot that takes the reader on the most mind-bending twists and turns will fall flat when depending on the strength of one dimensional characters. He believed that the plot was much more important than the characters of a story. Greek philosopher Aristotle agrees with you. If you’re one of those writers, you’re in good company. It doesn’t matter how “interesting” the character is if you cannot create an antagonistic environment that chisels and defines that character.īut there are other writers who worship at the altar of action. An awesome character with nothing to do and no conflict to develop him or her is boring. ![]() Many writers make the mistake of elevating characterization over plot, but one is not better than the other. When you set out to write, do you come up with a riveting plot first or do you see a cast of compelling characters?ĭon’t worry. Sometimes, the easiest way to figure out your writing preference is by examining your own preferences. They create rich and haunting character studies that stay with the reader longer after closing the book. Other writers love delving into the psyche. These writers enjoy strategically scattering breadcrumbs for the reader to follow. Some writers prefer building an external world focused entirely on action. By recognizing your writing preference, you will be able to identify the areas you need to balance. But the best writers understand that they must balance their preferred storytelling to create a satisfying tale. Most writers naturally lean towards one writing style. You see, there are two main types of writing styles: plot-driven or character-driven. ![]()
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