Author Education Series #3
Plot vs. Character: Which Is More Important?
Authors debate plot vs. character, as if the two were gladiators, waging war on the sands of the Coliseum in some winner-take-all death battle. Both sides of the debate claim a definitive superiority for their chosen gladiator, and for the most part, the battle splits nicely down the lines of literary and commercial fiction, the commercialists placing the emphasis on plot in the interest of producing “page turners,” while the literati poke up their noses at the thought of anything so crude and artless. So who’s right?
As in most conflicts, there is a conclusive answer. But, in this instance, it isn’t an answer held by either set of extremists. Rather, it’s the answer held by both. The simple fact is that fiction requires both plot and character to achieve its full potential. One could argue convincingly from both sides of the subject: 1) that stories originated from plot (first this happens, which then causes this to happen); or 2) that stories originated from character (this person did this and that persondid that). But why bother with such an argument, when, by focusing on both facets, we can produce a story that contains both a riveting plot and a fascinating character?
It’s unfortunate that many within the literary world have decided that stories must be either character stories or plot stories, when, in fact, the two are symbionts. It’s very true that storytelling originally focused more on plot and has evolved over the years to put more emphasis on character. In his book Characters & Viewpoint
But neither can we disregard plot, as pointed out in Lev Grossman’s article “Good Novels Don’t Have to Be Hard”:
Those Elusive Little Emotions
Everyday we see a range of emotions–from one end of the spectrum to the other we witness and experience joy and sorrow, love and hate. But where do these emotions come from? Somewhat like archaeologists, we dig for the origin of what we feel in order to someway, somehow explain it through our characters and shed a little light on ourselves, and hopefully our readers too. But where do we begin our search, and where does it end? Emotions are elusive and complicated, and frankly, they are scary when you start to dissect them. Like, do we really want to try and figure out why we cry for no reason, or what that tinge of jealousy we feel from time to time actually means? Some things are better left unanalyzed, but as writers we have taken on the duty to not only try to understand the human psyche, but to convey it to others. Hmm, makes me wonder if it’s too late to exchange my writing degree for something with a little less baggage?
Is having a character smile or frown a true testament to human emotion? Surely happiness is more than a smile, so how can we show emotion in other ways besides explicitly stating SHE SMILES. SHE IS HAPPY. Not only does this tell the reader close to nothing about what the character is actually feeling, it’s just boring. Even Hemingway, master of simplicity, would’ve yawned at this. The process of understanding and conveying human emotions (and subsequent actions) is different for every author, and that it should be. These differences have created the plethora of wonderful, thought provoking literature that has accumulated throughout history.
So, every author has to dig deep inside themselves and be a meticulous observer in order to construct believable characters with believable emotions. Just some food for thought–throughout the next few days, think about your emotions, how you perceive them, and how that translates into your writing.
Until next time, happy writing!
What Makes a Good Story
As I was finishing up writing a story yesterday I stopped to think…who am I writing for? If I’m writing for fun, then I’m writing for myself, but if I’m writing a story that I will be sharing with an audience, then I’m writing for them. However, this is a fact I rarely think about during the writing process, but I bet my work would be much better and more focused if I did because, after all, our audience determines whether or not we have created a good story. So, in ode to our readers, I’ve compiled a small list of what makes a good story.
- Know your characters-You should know your characters inside and out. What they eat for breakfast, what their defining childhood memory is, whether or not they have any nicknames. Even if this information has no place in your story it’s important for you as the writer to know because this information can inform their actions and make your characters round and realistic…or genuine and relatable, which brings me to my next point…
- Genuine, relatable characters-Your characters MUST be real. Even if your story is fantastical, even if it takes place on a distant and foreign planet and your characters are tiny little space creatures with 3 heads and 9 tentacles, the reader needs to be able to relate to and empathize with them. Readers read to understand and get to know your characters and their situation and they want to be able to feel what your character feels, even if their feelings are taking place on planet Goraranahaboo. (I just randomly hit a bunch of keys there, but that totally sounds like it could be from the next up and coming sci-fi thriller, no?)
- Reasonable, logical plot-Again, this has nothing to do with necessarily having a realistic plot, but whatever world you create needs to be self-sustaining. It should have rules and a logical sequence of cause and effect that the reader can understand, even if they are unfamiliar with the setting.
- Skip the boring stuff-Think movies. We don’t see the characters in movies doing every little thing in their day to day lives. We are only shown what’s important, left to our own devices to fill in the blanks. And we like it that way. We don’t care what your character’s morning routine is. You need to know, but we don’t care. We do care when he breaks up with his long term girlfriend to go study the environment of the modern day panda in China. THAT would make the movie; morning routine is on the cutting room floor.
- Clichés are so yesterday-For every eye roll, you’re losing a reader.
- Accept criticism-This is definitely the hardest, but remember, as much as you like to pretend sometimes, you’re NOT writing for yourself–you’re writing for your audience. So even if you think your characters are great, your plot is brilliant and NO, I will not cut this scene because it’s a crucial turning point in the whole story!…odds are you’re too entrenched in your own story to realize what needs to be fixed. And trust me, there’s always something that needs to be fixed. It’s one of the annoying parts of being a writer.
Just a few basics of what to keep in mind in order to create a good story. As always, happy writing!
Your Favorite Literary Characters Celebrate the Fourth
Ever wondered what would happen if you invited famous and popular fictional characters to a 4th of July barbecue? As you plan your own barbecue and guest list (or maybe you’re just planning on what to bring to someone else’s barbecue, or planning how your going to crash your neighbor’s rooftop celebration), take a moment to decide whether or not you’d want these well-known men and women to wish America a happy Independence Day with you.
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games trilogy) is the one sitting in a corner, shoveling barbecued goods down her throat while simultaneously keeping an eye on everyone at the party. Though you’ve reassured her multiple times that this is a really safe rooftop party, you know what they say – you can take the girl out of The Hunger Games, but you can’t take the Hunger Games out of the girl.
Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye) is in the opposite corner, longing to be in the crowd but also annoyed because he thinks everyone is trying too hard. He has his iPod headphones in his ears and is listening to his playlist of every anti-American song that he could find, just to make it clear to everyone around him that he thinks national holidays are pointless.
Romeo Montague & Juliet Capulet (Romeo & Juliet) You invited Romeo thinking he might hit it off with Juliet, but you had no idea just how well they’d get along. They lock eyes over the watermelon and are inseparable for the rest of the night, culminating in a Facebook-official relationship by the time the fireworks end.
Edward Cullen (Twilight) doesn’t even eat cooked food but shows up to the barbecue because he saw that Bella Swan was listed under “Attending” on the Facebook event. He’ll be sulking in the shade until she arrives, because he doesn’t want to upstage the fireworks by glittering in the sunlight.
Odysseus (The Odyssey) got lost on the way. According to Google Maps, he won’t make it to your barbecue for at least another ten years.
Though your cookout may not actually have Romeo & Juliet or Holden Caulfield attending, you know all literary characters have real life counterparts, so be on the lookout. Happy 4th of July!!
