Character-driven or Plot-driven?

That was the underlying question at a recent event where I joined Donna Overly in an Amelia Island Writers presentation at bookstore Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Drawing on her experience as the author of several books, including a novel series, and on lots of research, Donna began our talk by discussing character and offering lots of great tips to our audience of dozens of talented local writers.

Then, I segued to the topic of pacing and plot using a 9-box “Plotter/Plantser/Pantser” chart (“Plantser” is the hybrid and the one that probably best describes me lately). I spoke about the Hero’s Journey in Three Acts and explained the “Save The Cat” beat sheets commonly used in screenplays. Save the Cat has been a wonderful guide for me in writing my novels and my work of creative nonfiction (memoir).

The bottom line: both character and plot/pacing are important. Super important. Readers desire to relate to characters as much as they anticipate a hook, catalyst, midpoint, and finale – a satisfying ending. The story can include unexpected plot twist(s), of course, which commonly occur during the second half, especially as the stakes rise closer to the end.

So – do we start with character, or plot? For me, it’s both, and each needs to be compelling. Merci to Amelia Island Writers for the opportunity to delve into storytelling, to share what we’ve learned, and for the great questions posed during the Q&A afterward.