The Most Important Question
- Thread starter Birol
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They are all important, of course. But since you're asking a specific question, I will entertain a thought.
My answer would be: What.
That's what makes a "plot" -- what happens? Again, you can't really do "What" without all the others, but the fundamental element of a plot is "WHAT happens?" Everything else is detail.
Story/plot trumps everything.
My answer would be: What.
That's what makes a "plot" -- what happens? Again, you can't really do "What" without all the others, but the fundamental element of a plot is "WHAT happens?" Everything else is detail.
Story/plot trumps everything.
Why.
The MC....
robbed a bank
helped an old lady
died on a cross
....why?
It took place in...
New York
Athens
a desert
....why?
He used...
a gun
a knife
vodoo
....why?
If you can't explain why, then your just reporting facts.
The MC....
robbed a bank
helped an old lady
died on a cross
....why?
It took place in...
New York
Athens
a desert
....why?
He used...
a gun
a knife
vodoo
....why?
If you can't explain why, then your just reporting facts.
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This is akin to asking what's more important, eating or drinking or breathing? Really, you have to do all of them. The main difference is how quickly you'll die if you don't.
Just to be contrary, I'll say WHO is the most important.
If I don't care about the people in a story, the plot doesn't matter. It could be fantastic, detailed, twisting, etc - but if the people involved don't interest me, I don't care.
Character trumps everything.
If I don't care about the people in a story, the plot doesn't matter. It could be fantastic, detailed, twisting, etc - but if the people involved don't interest me, I don't care.
Character trumps everything.
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Who.
Most people, I believe, will go with “what.” The consensus seems to be that story is all, or at least, the most important element in any work of fiction. But if you think back, what people seem to remember most, the thing that grabs them and stays with them is great characters.
Not everyone could tell you the plot of any of the stories, but everyone knows the essence of who Sherlock Holmes is.
Gandalf and Frodo. Miss Marple. Hannibal Lecter.
Heathcliff and Cathy. Huck Finn. Tom Sawyer. Raskolnikov. Mr. Micawber.
Creating a fictional character who seems not only believable, but more interesting and more real than the actual people we know is what makes books resonate through time.
Of course, as always, I could be mistaken.
Most people, I believe, will go with “what.” The consensus seems to be that story is all, or at least, the most important element in any work of fiction. But if you think back, what people seem to remember most, the thing that grabs them and stays with them is great characters.
Not everyone could tell you the plot of any of the stories, but everyone knows the essence of who Sherlock Holmes is.
Gandalf and Frodo. Miss Marple. Hannibal Lecter.
Heathcliff and Cathy. Huck Finn. Tom Sawyer. Raskolnikov. Mr. Micawber.
Creating a fictional character who seems not only believable, but more interesting and more real than the actual people we know is what makes books resonate through time.
Of course, as always, I could be mistaken.
Hmmmm...I agree they are all important. From my stance, as I plot and plot and write my mystery, I will say "how" is most important. As in how all the threads and clues and actions fall together to make a neat believable package--how the bad guy did what he did and how my good girl figures it out and saves the day.
All are important, but the one I face most often is "why". If the why doesn't make sense or isn't compelling, the writing doesn't work. At least mine doesn't.
I've gotta go with "why?" While the "who?" & "what?" are very important in fiction, the "why?" makes them realistic. I care about "who" after I understand "why" they act & think a certain way. I care about "what" happened, but I need to know "why" or else it seems contrived.
Question
In fiction, I think the most important question is without a doubt who? It's the characters readers remember long, long after the details of plot and story and everything else have faded from memory.
Rugcat mentions Sherlock Holmes, and it's a good mention. Go out on the street and ask a hundred people who Sherlock Holmes is, and odds are every last one can tell you. Then ask them details about any story Holmes appears in, and odds are the great majority won't be able to do it.
People are what fiction is about, and every other thing in fiction is important only to the extent that it illuminates character.
In fiction, I think the most important question is without a doubt who? It's the characters readers remember long, long after the details of plot and story and everything else have faded from memory.
Rugcat mentions Sherlock Holmes, and it's a good mention. Go out on the street and ask a hundred people who Sherlock Holmes is, and odds are every last one can tell you. Then ask them details about any story Holmes appears in, and odds are the great majority won't be able to do it.
People are what fiction is about, and every other thing in fiction is important only to the extent that it illuminates character.
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Who.
If characters are charming, I'll follow them anywhere. Of course I like a great story, but I've never put down a book with charming characters, even if the going is slow. I've put down plenty of books with "page-turner" story-lines and poor characterization.
If characters are charming, I'll follow them anywhere. Of course I like a great story, but I've never put down a book with charming characters, even if the going is slow. I've put down plenty of books with "page-turner" story-lines and poor characterization.
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Then explain it to me why the Da Vinci Code is so popular...
Like I said, they're all important... but I still think "what" -- the action, the consequences, the reactions, the plot -- what really makes a stories, so it's not just a bunch of characterizations. It's funny coming from a guy who writes character-driven stories.... The "what" (externalized events, action, dialogue, etc.) helps define the who as well -- we remember these characters not only because of who they are (characterization) but also what they do and the consequences of their action.
I do feel I'm going into the chicken/egg discussion now... LOL!
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Why.
Everything flows from why. Why directs the character and characters direct the plot.
Why, baby. WHY!
Everything flows from why. Why directs the character and characters direct the plot.
Why, baby. WHY!
I say it's Who.
"Who did it."
"What?"
"Who did it."
"When?"
"Who did it."
"Where?"
"Who did it."
"Why?"
"Who did it."
"How?"
"Who did it."
"What?"
"Who did it."
"When?"
"Who did it."
"Where?"
"Who did it."
"Why?"
"Who did it."
"How?"
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Good thread, Birol.
A poll on this thread would let me keep track a lot easier. I'm getting whiplash from scrolling up and down, but curiosity and a neck brace will keep me tuned in.
The answers are making some excellent and debatable points.
A poll on this thread would let me keep track a lot easier. I'm getting whiplash from scrolling up and down, but curiosity and a neck brace will keep me tuned in.
The answers are making some excellent and debatable points.
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Thank you.
I thought of making it a poll after the thread was well under way. It truly was just a random thought I had. (You'll get used to my random thoughts. Eventually. Maybe.)
This is not news.
Actually for the DVC & other Dan Brown novels, I suspect the popularity comes from finding out both "how" & "why." "How" is in the puzzles. How did he come up with those puzzles? How did the PoS hide the truth? How will the MC figure it out? "Why" is in the conspiracy, which I think is a major reason many of the readers pick up the book.Then explain it to me why the Da Vinci Code is so popular...
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