PLOT OR CHARACTER?

“Plot is people. Human emotions and desires founded on the realities of life, working at cross purposes, getting hotter and fiercer as they strike against each other until finally there’s an explosion—that’s Plot.”
Leigh Brackett

Some writers focus on plot--lots of action and conflict to keep the reader turning those pages. We don't imagine James Bond sitting by the fireplace with a newspaper and a good cigar. Lots of conflict and action, but his cool demeanor in the face of danger makes him memorable.

Other writers swear that all fiction is dependent on creating interesting characters. Consider of some of the fictional people who seem so real that you can't quite believe they were dreamed up by some author. It is well known that people wrote letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes. But would you remember him if he hadn't been actively solving all of those mysteries?


Maybe the answer is that both are equally important--intriguing characters facing conflict and taking action. A fascinating character who does nothing will quickly bore the reader. Lots of action and conflict that involves sketchy characters can also fail to captivate. But if you can manage to combine the two you're off to a good start. Now all you have to think about is setting, theme, symbols, etc. Let's consider those another day. Meanwhile WRITE ON!