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Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction

Jeff Gerke (Goodreads Author)

4.20 · Rating details · 390 ratings · 59 reviews

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 both

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Paperback, 272 pages

Published November 16th 2010 by Writer's Digest Books (first published October 13th 2010)

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· 390 ratings · 59 reviews

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Jun 17, 2011 Nayad Monroe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, writing, favorites

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

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Nov 25, 2013 Thomas Edmund rated it liked it

I was very interested to get a chance to read Plot Vs Character after enjoying 50 first pages (a later product from Gerke) It is with some irony that PVC starts awkward and repetitive, I didn't count how many times Gerke tried to convince be that EITHER YOU ARE PLOT OR CHARACTER DRIVEN but if he used one more metaphor, I may have been paying my brovis for a new book.

Luckily after the intro the book improves. G does do a good job stitching the ideas of character and plot to a coherent whole. The ...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Ronie rated it it was amazing

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

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Nov 11, 2014 Kristen Stieffel rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Novelists

Shelves: writing

This book is a must-read for novelists. Whether your strength is characterization or plot, this book will help you manage your weakness by developing the other. I re-read the second half of this book (plot) every time I start a new book, because plotting is my weakness. I always come away with a ton of ideas that will strengthen the story and make it more engaging to readers.

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Apr 11, 2011 Margaret Metz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing

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.

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Jul 05, 2017 Em Kennedy rated it it was ok

It had some good points, but rambled on so badly. Very difficult to read. I picked it up to help me develop better plots for my fiction books, but I can't say it really helped. A different kind of book, though. Unique.

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Dec 27, 2015 Angela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing

I gleaned so much from this book. It's one to keep on the shelf for sure and I know I'll be referencing it as I plunge into my novel writing. Full of examples and opportunities for brainstorming. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to write a novel.

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Aug 22, 2018 Cultivar rated it liked it

Plot Versus Character: A Balanced approach to Writing Great Fiction, by Jeff Gerke,
reviewed by Cultivar, The How-to-write-a book blog https://cultivar.info

This is a case where, the writing is simple to the point of basic, and the author, or author’s voice, truly annoys me, but there is still some wonderfully valuable information. Primarily, that both matter, and a novel that neglects one of these areas will really suffer.

Just understand that you’ll have to sift through gems like, “Humans are Re ...more

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Dec 08, 2017 Debra Daniels-zeller rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, writing

I've read so many books about writing fiction that finding a gem in the same advice is getting difficult but Jeff Gerke has written about character and plot in a unique way. This book is divided into character and plot. Gerke tackles character first because you can't have plot without knowing your characters. I liked his sections on "the knot" or your main character's dilemma or problem, how to find it and how it affects the "moment of truth" a character faces. Also, this book stands out from ot ...more

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Dec 27, 2017 David rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 21st-century, writing, literary-studies

Plot versus character is a very interesting and useful work for a novelist who is just beginning. It is less useful for established authors, however, it is valuable to consider the role of character and plot as they interact.

The author has an interesting style that is part conversational and part a irreverent. This is a quick read and there isn't too much filler.

Rating: three out of five stars.

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Aug 31, 2018 Ellen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A system, but not a strict one

This book kept getting recommended to me so I bought it and read it. I followed the exercises for a new project and I definitely like the results. I hope I get the opportunity to take the author's class in person, but in th meantime the book introduces the complete system.

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Nov 25, 2014 Steven rated it really liked it

Shelves: writing

This is a fairly well-written book about how to write fiction. The author, Jeff Gerke, provides good advice about two different areas -- how to create good characters, and how to create a good plot.

Gerke begins by positing, and I would say I agree, that all writers fall into one of two basic types: plot-based or character-based. For plot-based writers, the external events of the story (i.e., the plot) come easily, but crafting good characters is difficult. For character-based writers, making re This is a fairly well-written book about how to write fiction. The author, Jeff Gerke, provides good advice about two different areas -- how to create good characters, and how to create a good plot.

Gerke begins by positing, and I would say I agree, that all writers fall into one of two basic types: plot-based or character-based. For plot-based writers, the external events of the story (i.e., the plot) come easily, but crafting good characters is difficult. For character-based writers, making realistic, believable characters with interesting inner journeys is easy, but building an external plot to entertain the reader is difficult.

Gerke, who admits he is a plot-based novelist, then provides a very good explanation of how to include both in your writing -- good, believable characters who undergo an inner journey, and an interesting and exciting plot that keeps the reader turning pages. He explains all the basic concepts that one would encounter in a typical writing class or book about writing.

But what sets this book apart from all others I have read, except perhaps Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder, of whose writing Gerke strongly reminds me, is that Greke provides the budding writer with a set of methods to actually accomplish the goals he sets out. For example, he doesn't just tell you "your character needs to be realistic;" he provides you with a whole chapter on how to make the character be realistic. He doesn't just tell you that Act I is "where all the important stuff is introduced," but he provides you with a list of items you should consult to make sure your Act I is doing what it is supposed to do. In each chapter, he suggests exercises the reader can do to develop the novel. If you follow each exercise, by the end, you will have a well-plotted novel with a set of interesting characters and a protagonist whose inner journey meshes well with the external plot.

As a consequence, this book is one of the few I have encountered about writing (with Save the Cat! being the other) that actually gives the budding novelist actionable advice. I have not yet tried Gerke's system (I have read this book over a holiday without any real ability to start writing a novel or keep notes or doing extensive research), but I plan to put it into action in the near future, and I have no doubt it will help -- because it already has.

In many ways, Gerke's system reminds me of Snyder's from Save the Cat!, as I have said above. The main difference is that Snyder's book is almost entirely focused on how to achieve the plot -- the external journey of the character. He mentions the inner journey and addresses it in a chapter or two, but he does not spend anywhere near the number of pages on how to build a good one and flesh it out that Gerke does. Snyder's process is also a good deal more formulaic. For example, Gerke takes a dim view of telling people that Act I should be over on a certain page, whereas Snyder clearly tells the reader on which page each event should happen (to be fair, Snyder is explaining how to write a 110-page standard-length movie script, and Gerke is talking about writing an open-ended novel). But overall, their advice is remarkably similar.

Interestingly, at least half of Gerke's examples come from movies rather than novels. I suppose in part, he does this because he can be more sure people have seen Star Wars or Titanic (since almost everyone has) than he can be that they have read Lord of the Flies. I don't have an issue with this, although some readers might be bothered by it.

But perhaps my favorite bit of advice that Gerke provides, which I have seen nowhere else and which, in fact, many other advice books (including Save the Cat!) contradict, is that one should not worry about the length of each act in a 3-act structure. It's OK, he says, if it takes half of the book to get through Act I. As I began to think about other stories I have loved, I noticed that a few of them have very long first acts as well. Thus Gerke states explicitly what I have always intuited, and it is something that has bothered me about the advice of other books on 3-act structure.

Overall, this is one of the most helpful books on writing I have encountered so far (and I've read at least 10 of them, if not more). One a very basic level, Gerke doesn't say anything you probably haven't heard a thousand times before if you are a budding writer - all characters in a novel should be realistic and not stereotypes; the protagonist needs to change in a major way; there should be a "ticking time bomb" to force the plot forward; the external and internal struggles should be related. But the difference between this book and all the other places where you receive such advice is that Gerke doesn't just tell you that you need it, and perhaps provide examples of other books/movies that have it -- he shows you how you can put those things into your story, and provides you with a series of exercises and assignments designed to help you do it.

If I could recommend only one book on how to write, this would be it. I have found it immensely helpful and well worth the purchase prices. ...more

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Apr 15, 2019 Epeeblade rated it really liked it

Shelves: read_in_2019

A lot to chew on here.

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Sep 09, 2016 Karin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing-craft

Gerke begins by identifying novelists as one of two types: character-focused and plot-focused writers. By focusing on one aspect and ignoring the other, however, Plot vs Characterwriters often end up with one of two stories: rich, interesting characters who do nothing, or stereotypical, shallow characters saving the world. Though he encourages readers to know which type of writer they are, Gerke’s book discusses both sides and is mapped out to take a writer through the entire process – from char Gerke begins by identifying novelists as one of two types: character-focused and plot-focused writers. By focusing on one aspect and ignoring the other, however, Plot vs Characterwriters often end up with one of two stories: rich, interesting characters who do nothing, or stereotypical, shallow characters saving the world. Though he encourages readers to know which type of writer they are, Gerke’s book discusses both sides and is mapped out to take a writer through the entire process – from character development to the denouement – in order to create a well-rounded novel.

The first section of the book – Memorable Characters – walks you through character development. Gerke starts with Core Personality and Physical Attributes, digs into the character psyche to find The Knot (core issue/struggle), and takes you right to The Final State. It’s more than just knowing whether or not your hero is an introvert. Gerke looks at the complete inner workings of your characters. He shows you the steps to take to find out every little cog that makes them tick. By the time you finish, you’ll know your characters better than you know your spouse.

The second section – Marvelous Plots – looks at the external components of the story: the plot. Using a traditional Three Act layout, Gerke takes the information from section one and shows you how to weave your Memorable Characters into the Marvelous Plots. He shows, using numerous examples from books and movies, how characters and plot work together, complimenting each other to tell a captivating story.

Plot Versus Character is easy to read and hard to put down. I kept a notepad beside me, writing down ideas and concerns that I have for my current work-in-progress. This is not a beginner’s craft book. Gerke doesn’t discuss Point-Of-View or Show vs. Tell. This book is more for the writer working on the story, as opposed to the writer working on the writing. He digs deeper and challenges his readers to not just write stories about people, but to write gripping stories about realistic people. A must-read for any novelist. I’ll be reading it again soon. ...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Virginia rated it it was amazing

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

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Feb 22, 2011 Lee Libro rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

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

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Aug 05, 2013 C.O. Bonham rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writers-help

this is the most helpful book that I think I have ever read about writing fiction. It isn't enough to say that you need well written characters if you never tell how to write characters well.

In this book Jeff Gerke does. Plot versus Character contains two parts. Part one is all about Character creation. I loved this part because I write people very poorly. In this part Gerke takes the character down to a core personality and explains how to add layers until a fleshed out person emerges.

Part two ...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Judy Croome rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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

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Feb 14, 2012 Lisa M rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, writing

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

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Dec 23, 2013 Letitia rated it liked it

Shelves: reference, under-300-pages, writing, non-fiction

This is a decent reference to kickstart your own writing.

The content is well-structured, and gives you actionable steps to creating your own layered characters (though hold the phone if you're sceptical of personality-type psychology, like "Please Understand Me II" by David Keirsey) as well as to craft a basic three-act plot structure. Unfortunately Gerke's plot examples follow a very typical American-Hollywood line, so you may like them if you're trying to develop a mass-market genre-fiction bl ...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Lisa Annesley rated it it was amazing

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

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Sep 23, 2016 D.J. Edwardson rated it liked it

This book offers a good foundation for writing solid, compelling fiction. The character building methods get the most emphasis and the plot is then developed around that inner journey. There are plenty of pertinent examples woven throughout and the best parts of the novel involve the discussion of three act structure and character arc.

The book was helpful and should be useful to authors seeking to improve either their plotting or character building skills. However, in the final analysis, the aut ...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Marta Perry rated it it was amazing

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

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Oct 30, 2014 Monica Rodriguez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing, revision

Excellent guide for building a story with well-developed characters and a page-turning plot. Good examples, and explicit explanation, taking you through all the parts of a story. Starts with the development of characters then moves on to plot, moving you through the big moments in a story. This works no matter how developed your story idea is - if you just have an inkling, you can start at the beginning. If you already have started your story, you can look through to see where you might be lacki ...more

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Oct 29, 2010 Maureen Lang rated it it was amazing

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

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Jan 11, 2016 Natalie Walters rated it it was amazing

This is a book every writer should have on their shelf. If you struggle developing dimensial characters with a purpose for existing on your page -or- you struggle developing a plot worthy of the internal and external growth of your characters THIS book will guide you through a series of exercises giving you the skills you need to write the next great story.

This will be my go-to book before every new project. Jeff Gerke offers examples of current movies and novels to support the ideas outlined in ...more

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May 16, 2012 Morgan Busse rated it it was amazing

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

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Oct 13, 2011 Sarah Sundin rated it it was amazing

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

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Apr 08, 2011 A.L. Sowards rated it it was amazing

Shelves: writing, nonfiction

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

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Mar 03, 2015 K.S. Moore rated it it was amazing

Awesome! Higher level than a beginner-writer book (which I loved!), this book was a great comparative of the two main kinds of writers. I'm definitely a character-focused writer. This book helped identify and strengthen my weaknesses while still encouraging my current focus. I also shared it with a friend who's a plot-focused writer and he said the same things. So, no matter what kind of writer you are, this book is a big help!

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