Is Crime Fiction Inherently Plot Driven?

gothicangel · Aug 12, 2009

I read a blog claiming this and it has my mind ticking over.

I'm writing a kidnap novel [psychological so it is a why-dunnit]. I have the riddle aspect of the novel sorted. However, one of my pov's is that of the victim and I've started on a sub-plot where he begins to suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. This twist is 100% character driven.

Is it possible for a crime novel to be so character driven; or have I mixed my genres?

Chase · Aug 12, 2009

gothicangel said:
Is it possible for a crime novel to be so character driven; or have I mixed my genres?

You've just shown a crime novel can be character driven. My own amateur sleuth crime novel is both character and plot driven.

Now comes the pigeon holers' quibbles as to whether your novel is "really" a crime novel. Mine, as well. That will most likely be your blogger's defense.

gothicangel · Aug 13, 2009

I can live with that.

My favourite crime novels are the Red Riding series by David Peace. Yet they sit on the commercial shelves rather than crime. I'll be in good company anyway.

heyjude · Aug 13, 2009

Yes, crime can be character driven. I hooked my agent on the strength (or weakness) of the main character.

It sounds like you've got good character-driven crime fic. Stop listening to the voices on the internet.

jeseymour · Aug 13, 2009

Oh I hope not! My stuff is character-driven, and I've been calling it crime fiction, although my latest WIP is rapidly losing its crime element as it becomes more character focused. My main character doesn't want to get involved with anything remotely criminal, trying to leave his past behind him.
Seriously, my favorite crime fiction is character-driven, not plot driven.

Ruv Draba · Aug 14, 2009

It's only in the weakest dramatic literature that plot doesn't depend on character motive. A strong plot requires strong characters to support it. Some literature has minimal plot though and people will read it if they like the characters. So what I think we have is not plot-driven vs character-driven, but good literature with strong plot, good literature with weak plot, and bad literature.

I'd say that good crime fiction is good literature with plot. Did the characters shape the plot or did the plot demand certain characters? Can you tell and does it matter?

RJK · Aug 16, 2009

I try to do this with my protagonist. I've carried the same basic characters through a series of novels. The protagonist detective spends nearly as many pages fighting bureaucracy and corruption as he does solving the crimes.

Kalyke · Aug 16, 2009

Something like "Silence of the Lambs" though it has a plot, is character driven and is crime fiction. I tend to think that writers who feel they must eliminate either plot or character are jettisoning a good portion of the tool kit writers have to work with. A good story needs both a good plot and a good set of characters, as well as good dialogue, timing, description and all the rest of the things people use in writing. Good writing is good writing and bad writing is bad writing.

blacbird · Aug 16, 2009

First, I don't subscribe to the either/or theory of plot-driven vs. character-driven. After all, by definition, Crime and Punishment is a crime novel. Many fine novels centering on crimes are significant evaluations of characters as well. Three of my favorites:

The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Double Indemnity, by James M. Cain
Brighton Rock, by Graham Greene

All eminently readable, and worth a look.

caw

Dick Stodghill · Aug 17, 2009

Hold on a minute. This sounds like a discussion in the faculty lounge at a university, not one you're likely to hear when mystery writers get together. What matters is writing an excellent story. Not a good story because they are a dime a dozen. To sell it must be excellent. That's true whether it's a short story, novella or novel.
No agent or editor worth his or her salt is going to waste a minute thinking about whether it's plot or character driven. Why waste your time that way? You are writing crime fiction so by its nature it's down to earth. Whether it is written in the style of Agatha Christie, Elmore Leonard or Stephen King it's a story about evil happenings and to you, the writer, all that should matter is that it's an excellent story. Plot driven, character driven, that's for the academics who talk, but don't write, to worry about.

CACTUSWENDY · Aug 17, 2009

This is what happened to me. My crime story is about a cop that solves a couple of crimes, but...even though he is the MC the bad guy is the one you get involved with. My cop is boring. I just could not ever get him 'developed' into anything special. I had a blast getting the bad guy and the crime part done. At this point I have put it on the back burner for a 'season' hoping to find a way to make my MC come alive and take back his rightful MC job. I guess I could go the route and make my bad guy the MC ....but that would take tons of re-doing, and I'm not sure I am up to that. lol

Dick Stodghill · Aug 17, 2009

Have you read Lawrence Block's burglar series. Or Raffles? Or O. Henry's safecracker? Perhaps you need to change your whole story so the bad guy becomes the good guy, but still a crook. You like him, have made him likable, so why not? You wouldn't be the first.
Do me a favor, call him your protagonist. It's the proper term and doesn't take that much longer to write. Otherwise it seems your protagonist is a master of ceremonies.

RJK · Aug 17, 2009

A detective, doing his job solving a crime is about as exciting as watching paint dry. You need to give the guy a life outside his job. Sub plots that criss-cross and interfere with his investigations. Maybe he's a binge drinker? Maybe he cheats on his wife? Maybe his wife cheats on him? Maybe he's a kleptomaniac, and steals little items from each home he enters.
Wendy is right, the criminal, and what he's doing is much more interesting than the cop interviewing people after the fact.

gothicangel · Aug 23, 2009

My novel isn't a mystery. It is psychological crime, the reader knows 'whodunnit'; 'how-dunnit'; and 'why-dunnit' on page one.

As for using the term MC or protaganist - what difference does it make?

Dick Stodghill · Aug 23, 2009

gothicangel said:
My novel isn't a mystery. It is psychological crime, the reader knows 'whodunnit'; 'how-dunnit'; and 'why-dunnit' on page one.

As for using the term MC or protaganist - what difference does it make?

It's what is known as an "inverted mystery," Gothicangel.
The difference between protagonist and MC is the difference between a professional mystery writer and one who is not.

I've been notified that my story Panic on Portage Path has been nominated for a Private Eye Writers of America SHAMUS award. It's always nice to receive recognition from your peers.

Is Crime Fiction Inherently Plot Driven?

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

gothicangel

Toughen up.

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

jeseymour

Ruv Draba

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Kalyke

blacbird

Dick Stodghill

rest in peace, Mr. Stodghill - we miss you

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

Dick Stodghill

rest in peace, Mr. Stodghill - we miss you

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

gothicangel

Toughen up.

Dick Stodghill

rest in peace, Mr. Stodghill - we miss you