My process for writing has always been that everything revolves around the plot. You know what? It shouldn't. It should revolve around your characters. The character arcs shouldn't be bent around doing this random thing to defeat Mr. Evil. They should do something to defeat Mr. Evil based on where they are in their life. Their past. Their present. Their beliefs. Their mental state.
Characters are the reason we sign up to go on the rest of the journey with them. Therefore it should feel like their actions are what make the next things happen.
Sorry for the rant-like short post. It's just something I felt I should say.
Characters are the reason we sign up to go on the rest of the journey with them. Therefore it should feel like their actions are what make the next things happen.
Sorry for the rant-like short post. It's just something I felt I should say.
This has been something in seeing as well. I'm plotting my next books and I literally have these super long charcter charts and I plan for these instead of worrying about the plot so much, just taking the charcters and telling the story.
ReplyDeleteSee where it goes.
That sounds like so much fun! I would love to do that someday. :) I'm sure your new idea is going to be awesome!
DeleteI've noticed that a lot of YA books are like this including mine, and my mom doesn't understand this because the books she grew up with were all plot driven.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that older books are more plot driven too. I wonder why that is...
DeleteThis year I got inspiration for a new story, and for the first time have printed off sheets and filled out the info on each character. It's a nice change.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually starting to do that too! Good luck on your new story idea!
DeleteIt's a really good point! I think character driven novels are the besst to read! Although I confess, as a writer, I find it waaaay easier to think up plots than characters haha. I'm currently mentally plotting this book I' super excited about but it only has 1 character #halp XD I need to work on focusing on my characters more for sure, so this is a great reminder post. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
I 100% agree! Character driven novels are the best experiences ever. And plots are easier to think up.
Delete0.0 a 1 character novel?! That sounds a-mazing. Wow. I know you can do it, Cait!
I write very character-driven novels. That's also what I enjoy reading the most. I know there are some people who go for more of the "action" and "thriller" type books, and I would say those have a lot less character development as a general rule. Not my style though. :)
ReplyDeleteAidyl from Noveltea
That's awesome, Aidyl! I know some character driven action/thrillers such as "A Time to Die" by Nadine Brandes.
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I totally agree! I've been trying to think about this more as I make my stories! I really feel like your characters are everything!:)
ReplyDelete-Emma-
It's a hard thing to do, but without it, you don't have much of a story.
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