Which comes 1st? Characters or Plot?

Lisa F · Feb 12, 2008

I generally come up with a story idea first, but since my plots are riddled with holes, and my characters are shallow -I think I need a new approach. I've read (and heard) a lot of writers start with their characters first. I have a background in theatre where I did an unbelievable amount of work in character development. I think it's time to put this knowledge to work. I think if I create a cast of characters, and get to know my characters in depth, their stories will begin to emerge. Which comes 1st for you? Characters or plot?

KTC · Feb 12, 2008

I don't consider plot. It just happens as I write. I think I get these characters at the starting line and just start walking with them. Plot Happens.

Devil Ledbetter · Feb 12, 2008

Characters, definitely.

Bufty · Feb 12, 2008

Either - whichever happens.

The Scip · Feb 12, 2008

A charactermaybe. I don't know if I start with a whole list of characters. But certainly 1 character and then for me the story (plot as well as other characters) develops around that person.

dawinsor · Feb 12, 2008

I usually think of a character first, then spend a lot of time planning out exctiting things for them to do. Oddly though, I don't feel I really know that character until I'm deep in the first draft, when I've had a chance to get into their head as they act and react and I've felt my way to understanding the kind of person they truly are.

sunna · Feb 12, 2008

It's definitely characters for me. Once I've got them down, the plot pretty much creates itself.

PinkUnicorn · Feb 12, 2008

I created my characters 30 years ago and just keep coming up with new stories to tell about them

AllieB · Feb 12, 2008

Happens both ways for me, though it's more likely that I'll think of a circumstance/situation/"what if" sort of thing and then come up with characters to put into it. So I guess that's plot first, most of the time.

S.H.P. · Feb 12, 2008

Plot. I do find characters to be important, but if what I have on the page is lacking scope and clarity -- I don't care how great the characters are, I don't want to continue.

Shadow_Ferret · Feb 12, 2008

I often start with a scene. And that scene revolves around some characters. Those characters then go on creating more and more scenes until I've got my novel.

Plot takes care of itself.

Stew21 · Feb 12, 2008

I start with a character. I have a few of them floating around in my head. I know they all have stories. Once I decide to write a story about this character, he introduces me to everyone I need to know to tell his story and I learn the plot as I go.

megan_d · Feb 12, 2008

Characters and plot tend to hit me as the same time.

Mr Flibble · Feb 12, 2008

Sometimes I get the characters first, and then I think 'what would upset/frighten them the most?' and that's how I get their plot.

Sometimes I have a plot, and I think 'What sort of person would that upset/frighten the most?' and then I have my characters.

DeleyanLee · Feb 12, 2008

Writers tend to get one thing before the rest in their initial idea spark for the story, whether it's plot, character, world, theme. When a writer gets the same general kind of thing consistently, a pro friend calls them "plot-centric" or "character-centric" or whatever because that was the central kernel of the story and everything has to spin out of that spark. Everyone's different, and each story kernel could be different. It all depends on how your brain is wired to spark ideas.

Personally, I'm a mix between event (not plot--a single event) and character. I actively work to develop everything except plot because plot is, for me, the easy part and usually springs forth like Aretimus from Zeus' brow when I'm ready for it.

CaroGirl · Feb 12, 2008

They both usually happen so close together it's difficult to tell which came first. Usually I have a loose story idea and at least one character to put into the first scene or situation, and the story goes on from there.

seun · Feb 12, 2008

I've often thought about this and want to be able to say I'm one or the other, but that's not true. They both usually come around about the same time. Overall, it depends what's best for the story.

M.P. Furo · Feb 12, 2008

My characters definitely come first, and then they're like, "Hey, this is how I feel about the other characters." And then I figure out how that happened, which becomes the plot.

Shady Lane · Feb 12, 2008

Premise, mos def. So...I guess plot? But it's different, I suppose...I start with a hook and build from there.

DWSTXS · Feb 12, 2008

With me, it's Plot. Sometimes , I'll come up with a character and say, this charcater needs to be in this situation, and then I'll jot down the particulars, or write a short bio, or i'll recognize them to be perfect for a particular WIP

Erin · Feb 12, 2008

It's the main character for me. A main plot quickly develops and most secondary characters at the same time.

donroc · Feb 12, 2008

I usually see the characters and much of the story outline all at once.

Claudia Gray · Feb 12, 2008

Usually I get a rough idea of character and premise at the same time. Then the character develops more, and after that, the plot starts to roll. And then the characters develop into their real selves at the very end. So for me it sort of toggles back and forth.

HourglassMemory · Feb 12, 2008

I've created my two major stories in both ways.
One was with the plot. it was my first ever story I thoguht of writing, so I was just coming up with the stuff I would like to see in my own story. The characters only came later.

And the other was me wanting to give a story to a character I had been drawing on napkins for months.

ishtar'sgate · Feb 12, 2008

Plot, definitely. I can't create characters in a vacuum. I plan out key scenes in my head and then decide what poor hapless creatures will be forced to face the stressful situations I have in store for them.

Linnea

Which comes 1st? Characters or Plot?

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