Finished Rough Draft for Project Star
Image Source: https://www.pulseheadlines.com/stars-including-sun-born-pairs/64267/
Yay! I finally finished something! Last week I managed to finish the rough draft for Project Star, a Science Fiction project that has been in the back of my mind for quite a while. Even though it isn’t ready for me to show anyone (the main character doesn’t even have a NAME yet), it still feels good to get all of the plot down on paper.
Character Over Plot
Now, I’m a HUGE plot guy, but as I reread The Belgariad and The Mallorean to keep myself sane with all the work that I have to do, I find that now that I know the story so well, I’m skipping over the plot elements and just focusing on the character elements and reliving (vicariously) through the characters the same type of fun serious-comedic dynamic that I used to have with my family before they passed away. The point I’m trying to make is that even though I read it at first for the story (characters and plot), I keep coming back to it over and over again for the characters. I knew this instinctively, but I figured my characters were strong enough to overcome my tendency to focus on plot over characters, but that’s not the case.
Balance in the Force
Today, I stumbled across this YouTube video that describes one writer’s preference for characters over plot (I’m adding it at the end of this entry). While I think that he may push the needle too far in the characters camp, I still found his argument compelling. I think I’d like to use his ideas to “balance” my writing. By trying to get the Rough Draft done and focusing on plot, I think now it is time to stop, reflect on the character, and really dig in and give the character a history, some motivation, traits, and a real personality.
Oh, yes, and a name would be nice as well. 
