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Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction
by
Jeff Gerke
What's more important to a story: a gripping plot or compelling characters? Literary-minded novelists argue in favor of character-based novels while commercial novelists argue in favor of plot-based stories, but the truth of the matter is this: The best fiction is rich in both. Enter "Plot Versus Character." This hands-on guide to creating a well-rounded novel embraces bot...more
ebook, 272 pages
Published
October 19th 2010
by Writers Digest Books
(first published October 13th 2010)
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This book's premise is that writers can be divided into two groups: those who naturally consider character first when creating a novel, and those who consider plot first. The idea is to understand which area is one's strength, and then learn how to improve on the other. The book explains both character development and plot development in detail. It offers a basic framework for each, and shows how a character's inner journey can work with the external plot to create a strong, interesting book wit...more
I’ve always been a proponent of continuing professional development, regardless of whether I was a computer programmer, a corporate director, or now, a writer. And, of course, I love books. So I look for books that helps me develop my skills. That’s what I found in Jeff Gerke’s Plot versus Character.
I’ve taught both Characterization and Plot at writing conferences, so I don’t consider myself a novice when it comes to either, but I learned some new techniques for both. Gerke begins with an illus...more
I’ve taught both Characterization and Plot at writing conferences, so I don’t consider myself a novice when it comes to either, but I learned some new techniques for both. Gerke begins with an illus...more
Plot versus Character is unlike most books I have read on writing. Most go on to detail the nuts and bolts of writing, but Jeff gets to the heart of the matter: the story. He pinpoints exactly what will make your main character relatable: the inner conflict (or knot as he calls it). Step by step he helps you create that flawed character.
But Jeff doesn't stop there. He also shows you how to weave the inner journey of your character into the plot. You character will not only be racing through the...more
With PLOT VERSUS CHARACTER, A BALANCED APPROACH TO WRITING GREAT FICTION, Jeff Gerke presents an answer to the age-old question of writers: which comes first, character or plot? Whether you love developing complex characters but struggle to find something for them to do, or excel at developing intricate plots, only to find your characters are made of cardboard, you’ll find solutions to your problem in Gerke’s book.
Gerke’s entertaining, friendly style, full of concrete examples, will keep you rea...more
Gerke’s entertaining, friendly style, full of concrete examples, will keep you rea...more
Mar 29, 2012
Lisa Annesley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
writing
Character is plot. If your strength as a writer is characterization, you'll find help here in developing your plot. If your strength is plot, you'll find help in developing your characters. Gerke takes you through the process of first developing your characters, and then your plot. By the end of the book, if you done your homework as you gone along, you can have fleshed out your characters and come up with the plot for your novel.
Note: Gerke recommends Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Chara...more
Note: Gerke recommends Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Chara...more
Are you a character-based writer, or a plot-based writer? You can strengthen your weakness and play to your strength with this book. Plot Versus Character takes you through the process of developing your characters, and then developing your plot from your characters. It a very helpful, step-by-step process.
One note--characters are developed through the Myers-Briggs' 16 personality types. The author recommends using Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence, so you might want...more
One note--characters are developed through the Myers-Briggs' 16 personality types. The author recommends using Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence, so you might want...more
Jeff Gerke's book Plot Versus Character is a no-nonsense guide to help writers recognize where their strength lies and implement tools with which to balance both plot and character development.
If your strong suit is creating characters and you want to gain an edge in your plot writing, Gerke offers clear-cut exercises on how to do so. If you already know how to write gripping plots, but are weak in character development, this book will show you how to seed elements into your characters' makeup s...more
If your strong suit is creating characters and you want to gain an edge in your plot writing, Gerke offers clear-cut exercises on how to do so. If you already know how to write gripping plots, but are weak in character development, this book will show you how to seed elements into your characters' makeup s...more
Is your strength in writing a plot driven novel, or one that’s character driven? Either way, this book affirms our natural strengths while offering a wider consideration of elements to polish what we’re already doing. And for that area in which we want to improve, there are a variety of exercises to help us along the way.
“The core of any novel built with Plot versus Character is the main character’s inner journey.” That quote is taken from the plot section, so you can see how easily this author...more
“The core of any novel built with Plot versus Character is the main character’s inner journey.” That quote is taken from the plot section, so you can see how easily this author...more
In Plot vs. Character, Jeff Gerke puts a new spin on writing while still creating a book that would be excellent for new writers. Rather than telling all writers to work one way, Gerke recognizes our inherent differences and helps us learn from each other. This character-driven writer found great new ways to look at plotting while strengthening character development as well. I know I've found a good craft book when story ideas ricochet in my brain, and they did while reading Plot vs. Character....more
Plot vs Character by Gerke is a handy book for both the plot-first author and the character-first author. The book is meaty and thought-provoking, guiding writers through developing both the character and the plot of your story. Gerke teaches at conferences around the U.S. and years ago, he helped me in my own writing, specifically learning the "three act structure," which he covers in-depth in this book as well. This is a very well-rounded book to help any author at any stage cement the foundat...more
Every once in a while, there’s a book that’s lain unread in my TBR pile which, I discover when I eventually read it, is worth its weight in gold. “Plot versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction” by Jeff Gerke is one of those books.
With flashes of natural humour, a sound logical approach and clear, easy-to-read language, Gerke teaches writers how to balance great character sketches with page-turning plots. He shows how both plot and character must be integrated to provide the...more
With flashes of natural humour, a sound logical approach and clear, easy-to-read language, Gerke teaches writers how to balance great character sketches with page-turning plots. He shows how both plot and character must be integrated to provide the...more
I liked the emphasis on how the character's inner journey is powered by the plot's escalating external interferences with what he wants. The humor was fun ("though why anyone wouldn't want aliens and evil masterminds in his book, I can't fathom"), and the examples from literature and popular culture were helpful. Gerke gives many practical applications, and I plan to work through this book several times, focusing on one aspect at a time to improve my novel.
Particularly good on the build up of character starting with the Meyers Briggs personality types and then fleshing it out into plot.
I only read the character part of this book because I have 7pt, 9pt, 12pt, and even 15pt plot structures in my head. I don't need another. If you are a plot-driven writer, I highly recommend this book. Its a quick read and oh-so helpful!
Books on writing are a little like books on raising children: worth reading and pondering, but in the end you have to do what feels right and works for you. Overall, I thought this book was useful and well-written. Will following the author's suggestions result in slightly formulaic fiction? Maybe. But his main point is golden: good fiction has well-developed characters doing interesting things. Any writer missing one or the other is going to have serious holes in their book. Recommended for fic...more
Finally finished this book! I started it in January and, through no fault of its own, haven't picked it back up again until recently. Jeff Gerke shares some very helpful tips concerning creating great characters and page turning plots. I especially like his advice on how to use Myers-Briggs personality tests for characters development and time bombs to keep the plot moving. I also appreciated the fact that all of the examples used in this book were appropriate.
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With craft books, it seems to be the case that writers are of the mindset "You have to read this, so I don't have to make it engaging," but Gerke's conversational writing style in conjunction with his numerous examples that range from classic literature to blockbusters made this an easy read. I can't wait to try it out with my own plots! Gerke's other writing book is definitely on my "to read" list, and sooner rather than later.
I love the way Jeff Gerke writes. It feels like I'm having a conversation with him. It's also great the way he provides a lot of examples from books and movies to illustrate his points.
I think I am more of a panster than a plotter, but this gave me insight on what it takes to have a great story filled with amazing characters. It's a terrific reference and I will probably come back to it often.
I think I am more of a panster than a plotter, but this gave me insight on what it takes to have a great story filled with amazing characters. It's a terrific reference and I will probably come back to it often.
4.5 stars.
The section on character (about 2/3 of the book) is great. Helpful and insightful even for a character-first author like myself. The section on plot, however, is essentially devoid of information. Quite disappointing after a strong start.
Great "crash course" book in writing. Has a lot of great information, and helps you build an outline with great plotting and well-rounded characters.
Very good. Well done explanation of the formula of three acts, how to combine both plotting and character (basically work backwards).
Excellent ideas and discussion, but disappointing compared to Jeff Gerke's "The Art and Craft of Writing Christian Fiction".
Not a bad breakdown of how to build a good character and plot. I'd definitely recommend it for any writer who struggles w either.
Rather simplistic at times, but overall a good, solid book on balancing plot and character in fiction.
38% completed, grad school got in the way. I own my copy, I will come back to this.
I found it extremely helpful! I know I will be referring to it often.
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