When looking at writing courses, I notice that a lot is made of plot. Although I do agree that plot is important, the writing courses miss an important opportunity, and a main point. The thing that they are missing is that writing is not about Plot and Characters. It is first and foremost about telling a story. Novelists sit down behind their word processors to write a story, that is what they want to do. But the moment they start looking at writing courses, or do a bit of reading up on how a book should be written, their story quickly disappears into Plots and Characters. I think we as writers should challenge this viewpoint, and make sure that what we do, firstly and foremost, is to tell the story. Sure you should have a strong plot, sure you should have strong characters. But always remember, you went and sat behind your word processor or notepad not to plot or create characters, you went there to write a story, and that is what you should be doing.
The thing that they are missing is that writing is not about Plot and Characters. It is first and foremost about telling a story. Novelists sit down behind their word processors to write a story, that is what they want to do.
But the moment they start looking at writing courses, or do a bit of reading up on how a book should be written, their story quickly disappears into Plots and Characters.
I think we as writers should challenge this viewpoint, and make sure that what we do, firstly and foremost, is to tell the story.
Sure you should have a strong plot, sure you should have strong characters. But always remember, you went and sat behind your word processor or notepad not to plot or create characters, you went there to write a story, and that is what you should be doing.