I’ve been in the writing cave again today and doing some heavy-duty thinking about the story I’m plotting. I took a bit of a break to write a post for Selena Illyria for her menage a trois week. While I was writing my post, I started to think about character driven stories and plot driven stories.
A character driven story is where the characters drive the story. Whatever decisions they make direct the course of the story, and at the end of the story the characters should have changed and grown in some way.
A plot driven story is where the events unfolding in the story direct the characters’ actions. At the end of the story, the characters are not necessarily changed or different.
Romances, by their very nature, tend to focus on the characters and their journey.
When I first started writing, I tended to write a plot driven story. I like action and lots of things happening, and this showed up in my writing. Over time I’ve noticed this has changed with my latest release, Leticia’s Lovers being more character driven.
The Nocturnes I’ve been reading recently are very much plot driven, although there’s a character driven element to the stories as well. If you enjoy paranormal stories and haven’t tried the Nocturne line yet, there are some great reads waiting for you. I highly recommend Patrice Michelle’s Scions series (for a different take on vampires and werewolves) and Rhyannon Byrd’s Blood Runner series.
Do you prefer character driven stories, plot driven stories or a combination of the two?
Related posts:
Hello Shelley,
Here lately I’ve been reading more plot driven books than character. However, I prefer a combination of the two. It goes back to yesterday’s question. It depends on the mood I’m in as to which type of book I’m wanting to read.
Have a great day.
by Roberta Harwell March 31st, 2009 at 4:57 amI read both, but I do like character driven stories the most.
by Jennifer Shirk March 31st, 2009 at 5:10 amI like both equally, both plot and character.
Caridad Pinero writes good Nocturnes as well.
by Amy Ruttan March 31st, 2009 at 5:43 amHey Ann, I just finished Pinero’s latest, Fury Calls… and I have to agree about the plot driven aspect of the Nocturnes. Truth is I like both… When I want a really mushy read… and yes I do like them mushy once in a while… I usually pick up a historical, when I want plot driven… I lean toward the action / paranormal side of the genre.
by Catherine Bybee March 31st, 2009 at 8:55 amI’ve read that line of Harlequin’s and as a matter of fact I have one more in my TBR pile called The Night Serpent
by Deanna Price March 31st, 2009 at 9:23 amHmm… I think I like both, depending on mood, but have a slight preference for character driven. I have to say that plot-driven can either be really good (those page turners I can’t put down) or annoying (where I’m rolling my eyes at the contrived circumstances). Hard to please, I am!
by Fedora March 31st, 2009 at 9:39 amCharacter, character, CHARACTER! I like to feel involved with the person and see them grow or evolve, I like to know we can change things if we try. Any other questions?
by Amy W. March 31st, 2009 at 10:31 amHugs!
I need a good character arc to have a satisfying read. Not to say that I don’t care about action/plot, but if I had to choose, I’d pick character.
One of the reasons I love Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel books is because the character elements and the plot elements are so perfectly interwoven. Because when you get right down to it, almost all “action” is caused by some character or another.
by Nicola O. March 31st, 2009 at 10:41 amAmy R – Kaye Manro had an interview with Caridad Pinero about her vampire Nocturnes last week. Vivi Anna also writes a good series for Nocturne.
Roberta – I’m trying to clear the pile of books sitting by my bed so I grab whatever is on top at the moment. I must say my books are one pile smaller than last year.
by Shelley Munro March 31st, 2009 at 12:14 pmMany of the Harlequin lines are more character than plot driven. I think that’s part of the reason why they’re so popular with readers and continue to sell well.
Deanna – The Night Serpent is written by a new author who I haven’t read before. I’ve just checked it out and it sounds great. You’ll have to let me know if you enjoy reading it.
by Shelley Munro March 31st, 2009 at 12:20 pmAmy W – LOL okay. Character. Yes, maám.
Nicola O – I’ve never read Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. so many people I know have enjoyed them that I’ve been going to grab the first in the series. One day soon…
by Shelley Munro March 31st, 2009 at 12:23 pmMy early books are also very much plot driven. As I’ve matured as a writer, my stories have moved away from plot driven, but not necessarily into character driven. Instead, they are becoming more and more tightly woven between character and plot.
by Alice Audrey March 31st, 2009 at 1:46 pmShelley, you won a copy of my ebook, My Everything. Thanks for leaving me a comment on Sandra’s blog. Please let me know where to send your copy. And…I prefer character driven stories. Plot driven can become too contrived. I’m not fond of plot devices.
by Julia Barrett March 31st, 2009 at 8:37 pmEmail me at juliarachelbarrett@gmail.com
Thanks, Julia! I’ve emailed you.
by Shelley Munro March 31st, 2009 at 11:23 pmHey Shelley
It seems like ages since I’ve visited (probably because it has been – eek!). Anyway, I like a nice balance of plot and character. I hate when it’s all action with no deep emotion but at the same time I don’t like all emotional response and no action. Oh and I do like my cake and eating it too!!!!!
by amanda ashby March 31st, 2009 at 11:32 pmWell, I do prefer both plot and character driven stories. And since I’m a Nocturne girl at heart, I love the way they are written. I’ve been knocking on that door for a while now! And I always say, if you want to write a Nocturne, you got to read the line a lot.
by Kaye Manro April 1st, 2009 at 6:35 amBTW — Dragon’s Lair, by Denise Lynn is also very good. She’s new to Nocturne too.
by Kaye Manro April 1st, 2009 at 6:42 amIf I have to pick one or the other, I’ll say character driven – I tend to write that way myself so it’s hardly a surprise :)
by Jenyfer Matthews April 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pmI love both but if I had to choose it would be chracter driven.
by Voronda April 2nd, 2009 at 8:30 am