Which comes first?

The character(s) or the plot? Why?

For me, it's the main character. I don't really know why. I can see/hear my characters. I had one walking around in my head for two weeks telling me all about herself. She refused to tell me her name, though. Then one day I was washing my hair and she told me her name. I bumped my head on the water faucet. lol.

Next?

maestrowork said:

Character and story (or at least a framework). They're EQUALLY important to me.

Plot (by which I mean the turns of events, etc.) comes naturally through characters and basic story framework.

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Dang, you're fast. lol.

I think character & story more or less go hand in hand for me, because I understand what you're saying. In telling about themselves, it always brings up the basic story also.

I have a couple friends/acquaintances who say they come up with the plot first and then come up with the characters to "plug in." It shows, IMO, because it reads rather... stilted/wooden.

veinglory said:

I plot outwards from scenes and situations that occur to me--so I guess I can't give a 'first'. I have to create both the people that would act the way I have 'seen' and the plot that would bring it about.

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That makes more sense to me than coming up with the plot first and then plugging in one-dimensional characters to people the piece.

LightShadow said:

Both. Sort of. Create a character first, stick him/her into the situation, and watch him/her grow as the story thickens. Other characters will materialize as the plot progresses.

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With the way my characters come to me, I think it's safe to say this is how I work.